Lethal Lily (A Peggy Lee Garden Mystery)

by Joyce Lavene

  Come on, Peggy. Get yourself together. You have to be cool about this. Scared, of course, Ann would expect that. If you’re too cool, she’ll know there’s a plan to thwart her. You can’t give that away.

  Peggy didn’t usually drive past Panther’s Stadium. She vaguely remembered that there were renovations going on there that wouldn’t be finished until the fall when the football team played again. She hadn’t realized how extensive the work was. There seemed to be scaffolding everywhere.

  She parked her car in the visitors area. The construction crew was finished working for the day. There was no sign of Ann or Ray. She supposed they were somewhere they could see her, and tell if she’d been followed.

  Peggy grabbed her handbag and locked the car, her eyes darting around the shadows where danger could be waiting. The sound of traffic zooming by on the Interstate blotted out the sound of her footsteps on the pavement.

  She passed the construction trailer and skirted the keep-out barrier signs that would only keep out people who weren’t intent on getting into the area. There was a small patch of half-dead spiraea struggling to survive in the midst of the chaos.

  The weight of the jewelry in her bag seemed enormous, but she realized it was only her imagination.

  Stay cool. Be calm. You can do this.

  “Peggy! I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up.” Ray Quick jumped out of the shadows, forcing a small screech from her as she took a step back.

  She put one hand to her throat. “For goodness sake, do you always have to be so dramatic?”

  He laughed at her. “A scare is good for you. You and I are becoming friends now, aren’t we?”

  “Where is Ann?” Peggy didn’t have time for his antics.

  “She’s waiting for you with that lovely daughter of yours. When is she due anyway? Looks like any minute.”

  “Never mind that. Let’s get this over with.”

  Ray bowed and smiled at her. “After you, ma’am.”

  Peggy walked ahead of him past the cement mixers, forklifts, and supplies that were stacked haphazardly. She kept her eyes in front of her, focused on seeing Mai and Ann.

  Ann was waiting with two other men under some scaffolding off to the left side of the entrance to the stadium. Peggy recognized her from her pictures, even though she’d aged. A dim light picked her out—and Mai seated on a pile of wood beside her.

  “Dr. Peggy Lee.” Ann moved toward her with her hand outstretched. “What a pleasure to finally meet you. I feel we’re kindred spirits with our mutual interest in plants. I wish I would’ve felt comfortable coming up to you after the lecture, but things being what they are, I thought it best to make your acquaintance later. I knew we’d meet.”

  Peggy lightly touched her hand. “I have what you wanted. Now let Mai go.”

  “What about the money?” Ann picked up a leather case from the ground. “I thought you needed it.”

  “You’re the one who made this personal by dragging my family into it.” Peggy peeked at Mai. She seemed to be holding up in the situation. “All I wanted was the money and a clean exchange for the jewelry.”

  “Sorry to complicate matters, but I’ve been double-crossed before. You’re right. I only want the jewelry. I stole it myself, you know? That was back at the beginning, before I had to pay that doctor at the hospital to put my name on Sheila’s dead body. I had to leave it behind, but not by choice. I thought it was only fair that I should get it back after the mess Harry left me in.”

  “Is that why you killed him?”

  “I’m sure you understand that he could identify me. I didn’t want to run into him and have him start telling everyone that I was still alive. It was better this way. At least he knew what that I wasn’t dead before he died.”

  Ann’s smile was so smug that Peggy was glad she was part of sending this woman to prison. “I guess that was between you and Harry. I only came for Mai—and the money.” Peggy took the jewelry out of her bag. “It’s all yours.”

  “Aren’t you curious about Arnie?” Ann asked.

  “I assumed it was the same logic. Are we finished here?”

  Ann’s handsome face frowned. “I thought we could be friends, Peggy. I thought I could learn a few things from you. Using the lily of the valley poison has gotten old through the years. I know you understand, and you have information that could lead me into so much more.”

  Peggy raised her chin. “I don’t tell people how to poison their friends and family. You’ll just have to Google it.”

  “That’s cold. I don’t understand why you’re so against helping me.”

  “I’m not a killer, Ann.” Peggy walked over to where Mai was sitting and helped her to her feet. “I don’t expect you to understand. You have what you wanted. We’re leaving.”

  For a moment—Mai’s trembling body pressed tightly to her side—Peggy thought they might just pull it off.

  “What about the money?” Ann held out the leather case again. “Don’t forget that, or I might not trust you. That would be a pity.”

  Peggy had to leave Mai leaning against one of the metal legs that held the scaffolding above their heads. She took the case from Ann and started to walk away again.

  “I don’t know,” Ann drawled. “I really hate for you to leave before I have a chance to pick your brain. Stay for a while, Peggy. Just let her go. You and I can talk. She was only to make sure you came alone. Let’s be friends.”

  Mai bit her lips to hold in the small sob that almost escaped from her. She leaned heavily against Peggy. Ray tried to push between them to take the burden. Peggy pushed back at him. He banged at the scaffolding with a piece of pipe.

  “I’m walking out of here with my daughter-in-law, Ann. You and I have nothing to talk about. Take what you came for, and go away.”

  In anger and frustration, Ray kicked at one of the posts that held the scaffolding. The whole set-up reverberated, “You’re coming with us, Peggy. Let the mommy go now, before Ann changes her mind.”

  There wasn’t much light, but Peggy heard a rumble above them before she noticed that the platform was shaking. The scaffolding appeared as though it was in the process of being taken down. It wasn’t secure. The loose boards weren’t anchored to the metal frame, as they should have been.

  Ray’s angry actions had started a chain reaction, causing the heavy boards above them to fall. She saw the metal post beside her buckle and threw herself and Mai on the ground.

  Ann yelled a warning as a board fell and hit one of her men in the head. Several more boards dropped as Peggy was trying to maneuver her and Mai under the side of a cement mixer.

  “I can’t do this, Peggy,” Mai sobbed. “I think the baby is coming.”

  “Not now,” Peggy said. “Surely not now.”

  It was only another second before all of the boards were falling. Peggy saw one of them hit Ray and knock him to the ground. Dust and wood shavings flew everywhere. The sound of screws or nails pinged against metal. She kept Mai’s head down.

  Ann tried to move out of the way, but it was too late. A heavy board fell, hitting her in the leg and trapping her beneath the debris along with the rest of them. She let out an anguished scream.

  Peggy was so busy trying to protect her and Mai from the falling wood and metal that she didn’t realize it was over until the quiet broke through her concentration. “Mai? Are you okay?”

  Mai panted hard. “I’m okay. But I’m definitely in labor. What are we going to do?”

  Honeysuckle

  Honeysuckle is native to the U.S. It may be the sweetest-smelling spring flower. The pretty yellow flowers on the climbing vine are beloved by hummingbirds—and can be a nuisance for gardeners. It has been used as various medicinals through the years, including fever reduction, infection arthritis, and the common cold.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  “Steve, Paul, and Al are here with us,” Peggy whispered. “I’m sure they’ve called an ambulance by now. Just breathe. We’ll be out of
here in no time.”

  “Peggy? Mai?” Paul called out to them. “Are you okay?”

  “We’re doing okay down here,” Peggy told him as Mai tried to breath through a contraction. “Please tell me you have an ambulance.”

  “On the way,” Paul said. “Steve called the construction company. We can’t pull you out of here without support. We’re afraid the rest of the metal and wood will fall on you. Hold tight. I love you both.”

  It was quiet again, except for the sound of someone else that was trapped. It sounded like a man, moaning in pain. Peggy hoped it was Ray. She didn’t care if it was a petty thing to wish.

  The contraction passed. Mai took some cleansing breaths. “So they can’t get us out of here? My baby is going to be born at a construction site?”

  “I’m sure they’ll get us out in time. For right now, lie back, and concentrate on your breathing. They’ll have us out in no time.”

  Mai was able to do as Peggy suggested, until the next contraction. As the pain rippled through her, she yelled out and flailed her arms.

  “Mai?” Paul called. “Is everything okay?”

  “I’m having this stupid baby,” Mai yelled back. “Get us out of here, Paul.”

  “We’re doing the best we can,” Steve replied. “You two take it easy in there. This whole mass is unstable. We need a few minutes to shore up the sides to pull you out.”

  “Hurry, Steve,” Peggy said. “It’s been a long time since I delivered a baby.”

  “I’m sure it’s like riding a bicycle, sweetheart. You probably never forget how. We’ll get you out as soon as we can.”

  “What about the others?” Peggy asked.

  “We have Mrs. Fletcher and one of her accomplices,” Steve told her. “Don’t worry about them. You two just take care of each other.”

  Peggy knew that meant her taking care of Mai who was in no shape to care for anyone else. She encouraged her to breathe through her contractions that seemed to be coming very quickly. “How long has this been going on?”

  “I’ve been down here a few hours,” Mai replied. “I was about to call Paul, and go to the hospital when they came. It’s been four or five hours since the contractions started. I think this may be it.”

  Peggy took a deep breath. She could hear work being done on the debris above them. She and Mai were fortunate that the wood had fallen in such a way that it had made a cave for them as it hit the cement mixer. They were at least partially protected from anything else hitting them.

  Except sawdust.

  Mai took in a deep breath and coughed as the dust flew around them. “Can’t they do something about that? I’m trying to have a baby here.”

  “They’re doing the best they can. Focus on what you’re doing, and I’m sure Paul and Steve will have us out in no time.”

  She was saying the same thing an hour later as Mai’s contractions got closer together. Maybe she should have started out saying they would be out that night. This way, her words of comfort rang hollow.

  “Can you see anything?” Mai asked between contractions.

  “Not yet.” Peggy looked up at the wood and metal tented above them. It was completely dark now.

  “Here it comes again,” Mai groaned. “How close are they?”

  Peggy glanced at her cell phone. “About two minutes apart. This could still go on for hours. It doesn’t always happen fast.”

  “If you’re trying to cheer me up, you’re doing a terrible job.”

  There were some new voices above them. Two of them sounded urgent. And Vietnamese.

  “That’s my parents.” Mai huffed between clenched teeth. “How did they find out about this? I wish they’d go back to the house and wait.”

  “Answer them,” Peggy advised. “It’s much better if they hear from you that you’re okay.”

  Mai told her parents she was okay and then let out a loud scream. “Sorry, everyone. I just need to get this baby out of me.”

  “Everything is going well.” Peggy tried to reassure those waiting outside. “The baby is coming.”

  Mai’s parents shot back a rapid stream of words in Vietnamese.

  “They’re just worried,” Paul said, understanding his wife’s native tongue. “We’ll take care of them, Mom. You two just work on the baby.”

  “There isn’t anything else we can do,” Mai grunted at him. “There better be donuts after this.”

  The contractions continued faster and harder. Peggy had some baby wipes in her bag that she used to smooth across Mai’s perspiring face. “It won’t be long now. Let’s see if we can get you in a better position.”

  “My mother says that lying down to have a baby is stupid,” Mai shot back. “She said she squatted to have me and my brother. She says the baby comes out faster that way.”

  Peggy eyed the wood above their heads. Mai was short, but she wasn’t sure if she was short enough to squat under the debris. “I’ll try to help you, if that’s what you want.”

  “What are we going to put the baby in when she’s born?” Mai moaned. “This place is filthy. Why am I having her now?”

  “I don’t have answers for all of that. But I’ll take off my shirt, and we can catch the baby and wrap her in it. She won’t touch the ground. I promise.”

  Peggy tried to help Mai squat to finish her labor, but it was difficult in the tight surroundings. Mai got into a sitting position, and then fell over as another contraction hit her. Peggy took off her shirt and got ready.

  “Are you okay?” Steve asked. “You’ve been quiet for a minute or two.”

  “She’s going to have the baby in here. Any progress out there?”

  “They have a forklift that’s going to move the bulk of the material that’s over you. As soon as it gets here, I’ll let you know so you can protect your heads. It’s almost over, Peggy. Hang on.”

  Peggy made herself face facts—she was going to deliver Mai’s baby. She helped Mai lie down again, and parted the girl’s legs to check on her progress. With the flashlight app on her cell phone, she checked how far along Mai was.

  “I can see her head,” she yelled to Mai, and everyone else listening. “Now’s the time to push. Push hard, Mai. Your baby is coming.”

  Vietnamese mingled with shouts of joy and instructions from the paramedics who had arrived at the scene. Peggy helped Mai sit up and push with each contraction. English words became Vietnamese as Mai growled, cried, and screamed.

  Peggy held her shirt in place so that the baby would come into her covered hands. She couldn’t hold the cell phone at the same time, so she waited in the darkness until she felt the weight of the child.

  “Why isn’t she crying?” Mai demanded breathlessly. “She’s supposed to cry.”

  Peggy lifted her new granddaughter and used her finger to clear the mucus from her nose and mouth. That was all it took. Mai and Paul’s daughter let out a healthy wail that set up a cheer from everyone working outside. Peggy cried as she wrapped the shirt around the baby and carefully handed the tiny body to Mai.

  “Okay, you two,” Steve warned. “They’re going to move some of the debris. Look out.”

  Peggy held her head down and arched her body across Mai’s and the baby’s. The forklift was loud and grating. The entire pile of wood and metal shifted as the long blades sank into it. As it moved back with its load, the forklift opened a hole right above their heads. The blades had barely cleared when rescue workers from the fire department snatched Peggy, Mai, and the baby out.

  The night sky had never looked so beautiful to Peggy. A whiff of honeysuckle washed over her. She knew it wasn’t possible—honeysuckle flowers were long gone for the season. Maybe it was her heart, feeling as light as spring.

  She snuggled her face into Steve’s neck as he held her close to him.

  “Nice look.” He put his jacket around her bare shoulders. “Are you okay?”

  “Better than okay.” She grinned. “I’m a grandma.”

  * * *

  Paul rode i
n the ambulance with Mai and their baby. Peggy allowed the paramedics who were there to check her, but she knew she wasn’t hurt. She refused a ride to the hospital for further testing.

  Ann and her gang had survived the accident and been rounded up by Al to take them to the county jail. There were a few words between Steve and Al about jurisdiction, but everyone was feeling too good to let that get in the way. Peggy had promised them both a detailed account of everything that had happened before the scaffolding had fallen.

  She and Steve were the last to arrive at the hospital. It wasn’t easy, but Steve convinced Peggy to go home, take a shower, and get dressed. By the time they reached the maternity floor, Mai’s parents, and Peggy’s parents, were already admiring the new addition to their families through the large natal window.

  Peggy’s mother stared at her. “I can’t believe all of us got here to see your granddaughter before you. What in the world have you been doing that was so much more important?”

  Steve put his arm around Peggy. She smiled, grateful to see her granddaughter’s rosy little face through the window.

  “Just messing around, as usual, Mom.” Peggy wiped tears from her green eyes. “You know how I am.”

  Epilogue

  Peggy had gone to bed at a little past midnight, but she couldn’t sleep. Steve had left to work out the details of the gang’s arrest with Al. She thought that would probably take most of the night.

  Shakespeare stayed with her as she went downstairs. The plants in the basement beckoned, as always, but there was something else she wanted to see for herself.

  She and Walter had put the boxes into the library that they’d taken from the storage unit. She thought about Arnie as she wandered into the room and switched on the light.

  Before leaving the hospital, she’d seen him. His doctor said that he believed Arnie was going to pull through, though it had been touch and go for him. He was on a respirator, unconscious, but she’d squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek.