The Hibiscus Heist
Page 22
“And I’m not always a Boy Scout.” His right fist met Garrett’s chin in one loud shot. “Oh, I’m sorry. My hand slipped helping you up.”
“Did you all see that?” Garrett shouted. “He can’t do that.”
One agent commented, “What? You slipped, and he was helping you up.”
“I want my lawyer,” Garrett continued to shout. The crowd around them was dispersing, held back by a tactical group.
“You’re going to need a whole bunch of lawyers,” Carlos yelled after him. “And your daddy too.”
Dev looked over to Lily. He winked with one of those twinkly eyes. “Carlos, you have her?” He saw her wrist. It was swelling. “She needs some help for that wrist.”
“I’m here for you, Lily,” Tori answered.
The adrenaline that had been coursing through her body flatlined suddenly.
“I don’t feel so good, Carlos,” Lily muttered as she leaned against the agent.
“Let’s get you to the paramedics.” Tori and Carlos led her away. Lily looked back one time to see a very small figure sitting on the sidewalk, surrounded by giants from the DEA. She’d never see him again.
It was dark now on Mallory Square, but it was darker in Lily’s world as she passed out in the EMS vehicle. When she came out of the fog, her wrist was being bandaged, and her hand was being treated for a few cuts from Garrett’s dug in nails. She told them her shoulder hurt. Garrett had wrenched it. Oh great, Dev and I now have matching slings!
Carlos came by and knelt in front of her. “Here, drink this. Dev said a Coke would perk you up.”
She took the can with her right hand and took a much-needed drink. “Now, if you could get me a hamburger and key lime pie I would love you forever.”
“I know just the place down the street. They also serve the best mai tais in the Keys.”
She smiled at him as he patted her knee. “I could go for a mai tai or two or three.”
Tori sat down beside her. “I could go for a few drinks too.” She patted Lily’s leg. “You did so well. I was worried about the entire operation, but Dev was confident you could do it, well, once he was convinced by Carlos. You deserve anything you want. See you later.” Tori left Carlos and Lily and headed to another group of agents.
“You do deserve anything you want. Tori is right. You did good,” he complimented. “You’ll never know how much you’ve done tonight. He admitted to attempting to kill a federal agent for one thing, not to mention everything else we have on him and his goons. I know one person who will be very happy to hear that Garrett will be in prison for the rest of his life. I just called Alise and she said to tell you hello and thank you.”
Carlos patted her again. “Now this story has a happy ending. We’ll talk later, but right now I better get over there to rescue Dev.”
“Who is he talking to?”
“Our boss and the tactical commander.”
Lily could barely hear a few words. As a few more agents walked away she could hear the conversation.
Dev was explaining how it all began. “It was a missed drop in Miami, and it ended up in Kansas City.”
“Yah, I remember. She’s the same wedding florist?”
Dev nodded. “Yes, but she became the target of Mr. Notte’s sociopathic behavior. He was messing with her; had her car stolen and used for a mule run.”
“And we used her?”
“Yes, sir, we did it in Kansas City too, to get the ball rolling. The Miami DEA thought it might work again. It did.”
“And she’s just a wedding florist?”
“Well, sir, actually,” he said as he pointed in her direction. His eyes met hers as he continued, “she was prepped extensively and well, she’s my fiancée.” He realized she heard him as he saw her eyes widen and her mouth gape open. It wasn’t a good look for her, but he loved her all the same. He liked her speechless. Somehow, he knew she’d be back to her old self soon. She could probably match Dan homily for homily. He’d be content with just listening for a lifetime. He smiled that smile.
“That explains everything and nothing, Dev. Put in your report as soon as you can. Get that woman a ring if you haven’t already. She deserves it.”
“Yes, sir, thank you. I have it. I just have to give it to her.”
Lily tried to close her mouth, but she just couldn’t. When she finally did, it formed a very large obnoxious smile, from ear to ear.
Lily’s world was aglow with light, even though the beautiful sun had set and darkness surrounded her. The pain from her shoulder and wrist dissipated. Were her bruises vanishing under her wrap? It felt like it. Birds were singing, and she was sure when she returned home squirrels and vermin would clean her home while she sang in an operatic voice. Lily’s world was suddenly and utterly changed forever.
As if in a 1940’s comedy romance movie, Lily stood up and dropped the blanket from around her shoulders. She looked around and told everyone within earshot and some down the block, “He said I was his fiancée. Did you hear that world? I’m a fiancée!”
Notes from C. L. Bauer
Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed Lily and Dev’s latest adventure. I based this novel on a very true event. My car was actually stolen and used in the same way. Years ago, I had the cutest little blue Honda Civic. During the mother of all thunderstorms on a Sunday night, after an exhausting weekend of weddings and flowers, I slept through the theft of my car from my driveway. Yes, my neighbors saw it drive away with another vehicle following behind. That little car was gone for over two months when it was found. My car dealership sent the tow truck, picked me up, took me to impound and the rest is history. Months later I heard on the news that there was a drug ring in the area using stolen vehicles through the dealerships.
Lily’s wedding stories are all based on true events that have happened in the century or so that Clara’s Flowers in Kansas City, Missouri has been in business. I keep doing weddings to get more writing material! Seriously, who can you say no to when your family’s business has been providing flowers for weddings and events for almost six generations of clients? Flowers are one part of the wedding you don’t have to have; they are the cherry on top. They offer beauty and joy. They aren’t mandatory for a successful wedding, but just a blossom or two can sure make people smile. Clara’s Flowers continues to be recognized as a “best of” on several wedding sites and in magazines.
My first love, writing, provided an early career in journalism. During high school I began as a sports writer, moved to editing in college and took every job I could that allowed me to write. Finally, I received an opportunity to publish my first novel, The Poppy Drop through Corrugated Sky Publishing.
I enjoy my family, travel, all varieties of music, a good book on a rainy day, bulk post-it notes, and meeting my readers of The Lily List Mysteries. I can always be swayed to enjoy Mexican food, hockey and anything Disney, and of course, Kansas City during the holidays.
You can reach me on all forms of social media and at www.corrugatedsky.com. Email me at clbauerkc@gmail.com. My author page on Facebook has updated information, and you can visit my site www.clbauer.com for upcoming events and news.
Please review this and any of my published works on Amazon and Goodreads. As always, happy reading!
Coming Soon
The answers will all be revealed in The Tulip Terror coming your way!
C. L. Bauer has been in the wedding flower business almost all her life. Her family’s business has existed in Kansas City serving nearly six generations of families on their special days. Clara’s Flowers has been recognized as a “best of” on several wedding sites and in magazines. Her first love, writing, provided an early career in journalism. During high school she began as a sports writer, moved on to editor in college and then took every job she could that allowed her to write.
Her first novel The Poppy Drop was well received on the top 100 books of Independent Publishers with Corrugated Sky Publishing. Her past and present clients are looking forward to mo
re “Lily” stories.
C. L. Bauer enjoys her family, travel, a good book on a rainy day, bulk post-it notes, and meeting her readers of The Lily List Mystery Series. She can always be swayed to enjoy Mexican food, hockey and the occasional libation...and of course, Kansas City during the holidays.
Other Titles by
Corrugated Sky
Anthologies:
Cold as Death: A Zombie Anthology
Smoke and Steam
Tales of the Black Dog
Single-Author Novels:
Seacombe by Karen Garvin
Ashes to Embers by Michelle Schad
Hellfire by Michelle Schad
Evolved by Michelle Schad
Giant Killer Bats of Alamogordo by Jack Morse