Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 01 - Begonia Means Beware

by Lyndsey Cole

  “No. It’s not a café. It’s a flower shop. So, what can I help you with?”

  Tamara was momentarily shocked but recovered and moved on with her agenda. “There’s going to be a small service for Clifton. Just family. I’d like a nice arrangement with orange alstroemeria, blue delphinium and white snapdragons. Can you do that?”

  “Of course. I’d be happy to. When do you want it?”

  “Sunday.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Can you hold my umbrella for me while I get in my car?”

  “No.” Lily abruptly went back to work.

  Lily and Daisy watched Tamara huff and puff as she struggled to get herself to her car without getting soaked. She couldn’t close her umbrella so she left it on the sidewalk.

  Lily and Daisy were nearly rolling on the floor laughing. Whenhe bell jingled, they tried to pull themselves together.

  Ryan looked quizzically at them. “What’s so funny?”

  “Did you see an umbrella on the sidewalk?”

  “Yes. I brought it in.”

  They roared with laughter again. Lily managed to sputter out an explanation. “Mrs. Biotchi couldn’t close it without getting wet, so she just left it.”

  Daisy added. “She asked Lily to hold it for her while she got in the car.”

  Ryan started to chuckle. “What did you say?”

  “I said no. You should have seen the look on her face. I don’t think anyone has ever said no to her before.”

  “Nothing like a good laugh. That felt great. What can I do for you Mr. Steele?”

  Ryan took an envelope from his jacket pocket. “This came in the mail at the police station.” He handed the envelope to Lily.

  She pulled out a blank card with a pressed flower taped inside. She looked up at Ryan. “Was there anything else with this?”

  “No. You know flowers. Does this one have any meaning?”

  “Tansy. I’ll have to look it up.” She pulled out her smartphone and started tapping away. “Here it is. It could mean hostile thoughts.” Lily looked at Ryan. “Beware? Hostile thoughts? Someone is trying to tell us something.”

  Lily heard Daisy talking on the phone. “Mom? … Alright, I’ll tell Lily.”

  “Tell me what?”

  Daisy looked from Lily to Ryan and hesitated. “Can I talk to you alone?”

  “It’s fine. Did Mom call that number?”

  “Yes. It went to a nursing home. Someone named Mari Harris.”

  “What number are you talking about? Where did you get it?”

  Lily sheepishly reminded Ryan about the wallet Rosie found before Clifton’s body was discovered. “My mom found the wallet in her house after I stayed with her. I had forgotten all about it and never looked inside. She found a card that said ‘in case of emergency’ with a phone number.”

  “So?”

  “Tamara told me that Clifton has no relatives. I think she may be wrong. I need to visit Mari Harris and find out more about her and if she’s related to Clifton.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  Lily touched his arm. “I think I should go alone. She may open up more with me.”

  Ryan started to argue with Lily but her look shut him up. “Okay. But tell me everything when you get back.”

  Chapter 11

  Lily picked up Iris on the way to the nursing home. Iris looked in the empty back seat. “No handsome cop? I thought he would come too.”

  Lily pulled onto the highway. “He wanted to but I told him it was better this way. I think a cop might intimidate her. Besides, he would take charge and I want to do it my way.”

  Iris smiled. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

  “Oh no you don’t. Don’t make this about you.”

  “Whatever you say. How are you and your cop getting along lately? It seems to be a bit of a rocky relationship.”

  Lily stomped on the gas. “He’s not my cop. And I don’t want to talk about it.” Her mother did have a point about the rocky relationship but Lily wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of being right. Lily relaxed. “Ryan got something interesting in the mail.”

  “Oh?”

  “He stopped at the shop to show me a card with a pressed tansy inside.”

  “That doesn’t sound very exciting.”

  “I looked up tansy meaning and it can mean hostile thoughts. Begonia, beware? Tansy, hostile thoughts? There must be a meaning in this somewhere that points to the killer.”

  Iris gazed out the window. “Maybe. But I sure don’t see it. How far is this place?”

  “A few more miles. Did you talk to Mari Harris when you called the nursing home?”

  “The main desk tried to put me through. She didn’t want to talk on the phone but is looking forward to our visit.”

  “Tamara told me that Clifton didn’t have any relatives. I wonder why he kept this all secret.”

  “We all have secrets. On that subject, what do you know about Ryan Steele? He arrived in town and what do we actually know about him?”

  “All he told me so far is that he’s from the southern part of the state and he’s filling in temporarily until they get this mess figured out with Mike Keller.”

  Lily took the exit and followed her directions to the Spring Valley Nursing home. “This looks like a nice setting.” Pulling under an oak tree, Lily grabbed the flowers she’d brought for Mari Harris. “Let’s go see what we can find out.”

  They walked to the main desk and asked for Mari Harris’s room. “Marigold? You’ll find her in the common room. She’ll be sitting in the little greenhouse with all the plants.

  Iris gave Lily a quizzical look. “Marigold? I like her already.”

  Sure enough, they spotted a neatly dressed, petite, gray haired woman sitting quietly next to a table of blooming orchids. She looked peaceful.

  Lily gently touched her shoulder. “Mrs. Harris?”

  The face turned toward the touch and voice but the eyes were unseeing. “Yes?”

  “My name is Lily Bloom and my mother, Iris, is with me. Could we join you?”

  “Certainly, dear. And call me Mari. It’s short for Marigold. A flower name, just like the two of you. I don’t like to go by that name though. Do you know why?”

  Lily whispered. “Because it can mean grief?”

  Mari laughed. “Yes. You know your flowers. Pull a chair closer. What did you bring?” She sniffed the air. “It smells like lilies and eucalyptus. Majesty and protection.”

  Lily and Iris each pulled a chair on either side of Mari. “That’s absolutely right. Where would you like me to put the flowers?”

  “I’ll hold them. I’m guessing I might be needing some protection from whatever it is you’ve come here to see me about.”

  Lily looked at Iris and frowned. “Why do you say that?”

  “I haven’t heard from my grandson, Clifton. He calls every day and he had an important meeting here that he never showed up for. You must have found his ‘in case of emergency’ number?”

  “Yes. My dog found his wallet yesterday morning. Do you know why he hasn’t called?”

  “Not officially.” She paused, dropped her head and sighed. “But I know.”

  Iris wrapped her thin arm around Mari’s shoulders. “We’re so sorry to have to tell you. His body was found yesterday. No one knew he had any relatives. Not until I found this number in his wallet.”

  Mari slumped. “I suspected. Like I said, he was such a good grandson. Called me every day.” Tears silently spilled down her cheeks.

  Lily handed her a tissue. “Did you know he was supposed to get married on Saturday?”

  “Yes. He was so happy. Melinda is her name, right? He described her to me and said he would bring her to meet me sometime. You must be wondering why he kept me a secret?”

  “Only if it helps solve his murder.”

  Her body tensed. “Murder? Why on earth would anyone murder Clifton?”

  “That’s what we’re trying to find
out. We’re hoping you can give us some more information about him. Other family members? Friends? Enemies? Projects he’s working on?”

  “Oh dear. I’m afraid I won’t be much help. There’s no one but me. He was adopted you know. I think he always tried to hide that. Growing up poor and all. He saw that as a stigma. He was very proud to get me a spot in this nice home and he paid for all of it too. Never once complaining about spending the money. I don’t know what will happen now.”

  Iris comforted Mari. “He must have had a will.”

  Mari tried to smile. “Things will work out. Do you know if there will be a funeral?”

  Lily hesitated. This was awkward. “There is a service planned for Sunday.”

  Mari sighed. “I would love to be there. Say goodbye to Clifton. And meet that lovely girl he was going to marry.”

  Iris stood up. “I’ll pick you up and bring you. I don’t know the details yet, but when I find out I’ll let you know. You are his family after all.”

  Lily was stunned but she nodded her agreement. “We’ll make it happen one way or another. Don’t worry.”

  “One thing I’ve learned over the years is not to worry. What good does it do? It will happen or it won’t. Thank you both for visiting. I’m rather tired now. Would you be so kind as to help me to my room?”

  “Of course. Just tell us the way.” Lily and Iris stood on either side of Mari, guiding her down the hallway.

  Mari’s room had snapshots of Clifton as a young boy, graduations and with his arm around Mari.

  Lily found a vase for the flowers then helped Mari get comfortable in her bed. Iris studied the photos.

  “I can’t see the photos anymore but I can still feel Clifton’s presence. It’s comforting to think he’s watching over me.”

  “We’ll be in touch about the service. I’m leaving my number. If you think of anything else, have someone call me.”

  ***

  “That was interesting.” Lily said as they were driving back to Misty Valley.

  “Clifton had a side none of us knew about. And I think it was his best side. Why would he hide his grandmother?”

  “We need to pay a visit to Melinda. Maybe she knows more than she has let on.”

  Iris was thoughtful. “Tamara picked Clifton for Melinda thinking he had the right background. Ironic how things work out, don’t you think? It seems like she chose a decent guy for her daughter, but for all the wrong reasons.”

  Lily pulled into Melinda’s driveway. “Tamara won’t be happy about this. She won’t want his grandmother at the service.”

  Iris was adamant. “She’s the most family he had and I’m bringing her. A promise is a promise.”

  Melinda answered the door looking cheerful until she saw who it was. “Oh. I wasn’t expecting you.”

  Lily noticed the makeup and designer clothes. She’s probably expecting Jack Weaver again. Have to find out more about that, too. “We have some interesting news about Clifton. Can we come in for a minute?”

  “I … I guess so.” Melinda was much too polite to know how to get rid of unwanted guests. She led them to her sunny living room filled with flowers. “We can sit in here. Everyone has been so kind. Sending me all these flowers. I’m running out of room for them.”

  Lily didn’t want to chat about all the flowers. At least not yet. “Melinda. Did you know that Clifton has a grandmother? A very sweet grandmother?”

  Her jaw dropped and fluttered like a fish out of water. “No. Yes. I don’t know what to tell you. Mother swore me to secrecy.”

  Now it was Iris’s turn to be shocked. “Tamara knew?”

  “She just found out. After he was killed. She thought it would look bad for me.”

  Iris was fuming. “Why on earth would it look bad?” Then she added under her breath, “Look bad for her more likely.”

  They all turned at the sound of the front door opening. “Melinda? Do you have company?”

  Iris stood up, ready to face Tamara when she entered the living room. “So. Keeping secrets?”

  Tamara stuttered. “Secrets? What on earth are you talking about, Iris?”

  “How about a kind grandmother named Marigold Harris?”

  Tamara’s faced blushed from pink to bright red, matching the big red flowers on her blouse. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  Iris’s face was inches from Tamara’s. “Yes you do, and I’m bringing her to the service on Sunday.”

  Tamara stumbled backwards. “You can’t. No one knows about her.”

  “We know. She deserves to say goodbye to Clifton. You said the service was for family and she’s the most family he had. I won’t let you deny this to her. Have you even met her?” Iris glared at Tamara.

  She hung her head in defeat. “No. I was afraid to.”

  “Afraid?”

  “Afraid I would like her.”

  “And afraid of what you might find out about Clifton? Ruin that tidy life story we all believed?”

  Melinda stepped between Tamara and Iris. “Mother didn’t know any of that. Clifton told me all about his past. We wanted to keep it secret until after the wedding.”

  Iris looked at Melinda with complete confusion. “Why?”

  Melinda looked at her mother. “So mother wouldn’t try to stop it.”

  “I won’t listen to any more of this.” Tamara stomped out in a fury.

  Melinda was crying. She looked at Lily through her tears. “I just want to wake up from this nightmare.”

  Lily comforted Melinda’s trembling body. “It is a nightmare, but not one you will wake up from. You have to be strong and take control of your life.”

  Melinda stared at Lily. “That’s what Jack keeps telling me.”

  Chapter 12

  Lily hightailed it back to the shop. Daisy was juggling the phone while she wrapped a dozen roses for a customer. Her murderous look hit Lily as she walked in.

  “Here. Take this.” Daisy practically threw the phone at Lily.

  “Hello? … Ryan. I’m back … can’t talk now.”

  Lily rang up the rose purchase and waited for the customer to leave. “Sorry Daisy. It’s been crazy.”

  “Crazy? Don’t tell me about crazy. I’m going to quit if you abandon me like that again.” She was almost crying from frustration.

  “I’ll make it up to you. Listen to this. We found Clifton’s grandmother.”

  The door jangled. An annoyed Ryan Steele walked in glaring at Lily. “What took you so long? You never called me to let me know what you found out.”

  Lily looked away. “I don’t have time to discuss it now. How about we meet later?”

  Ryan frowned. He wanted to know if this was going to help solve the murder. “When?”

  Lily did a quick calculation in her head. “I have to deliver the flowers to the country club. That will take a couple of trips. I should be done by six.”

  He walked out in a huff.

  Daisy chuckled. “You two can’t get along for more than five minutes.”

  Lily was running on adrenaline. “Never mind about that. Do you want to help me get all these flowers to the country club?”

  Daisy smiled. “Not really. It’s Friday. Geoffrey and I have plans.”

  “I’ll call Mom. She’s always up for a project.”

  It didn’t take long for Iris to walk in. “Guess what?” Daisy and Lily looked up. “I got a call from the nursing home.”

  “And?”

  “Mari wants to come to the hospital charity event.”

  Lily could see Iris’s wheels turning. “You’re going to bring her, aren’t you?”

  “Of course. I like this woman. She has no one else. I told her I’d pick her up at four. I have to figure out how to get another ticket. Any ideas?”

  Daisy chirped in. “You can have mine.” She blushed. “Geoffrey surprised me with an overnight at an inn.”

  Iris paused. “How come I haven’t heard anything about this romance yet?” She looked from Daisy to L
ily. “Never mind. I’ll take your ticket. Mari will be sure to turn some heads. How many will be sitting at our table?”

  Lily was busy moving arrangements to her van and hollered over her shoulder to Iris. “Four. I told Ryan I’d meet him there.”

  Daisy whispered to Iris, “You might want your own table. Those two can barely get along for more than five minutes.” They both chuckled.

  Lily glared. “What are you two laughing about?”

  Daisy grabbed her bag. “I’ve gotta go. Have fun at the charity.” She avoided Lily’s piercing stare.

  “Yeah. Thanks. You have fun too.”

  Daisy turned with a grin from ear to ear. “Oh. I will.”

  Iris helped Lily finish the loading. “Everything isn’t going to fit in one trip. Let’s get this load delivered and I’ll come back for the rest.”

  They could see Jack when they pulled into the parking lot of the country club arguing with Mike Keller. Lily parked near them and Jack walked to the van.

  Jack was fidgeting and he looked upset. “I thought you were bringing everything tomorrow at nine? This is a bad time for me.” He quickly glanced back at Mike.

  Lily slid open the van door. “I just need to put everything in the room. It won’t take long. I’ll come back tomorrow to set it up.”

  Iris walked over to Mike. “They let you out of jail?”

  Mike checked her out. “Nice to see you too, Iris. I’m not planning to go back either.”

  “Oh? From what I’ve heard, they’ll be throwing away the key.”

  Mike’s mouth twitched. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

  Iris kept prodding. “Too bad about that casino deal. Must have been a heartbreak for you and your buddies. That could have been a good cover for your illegal gambling crowd.”

  Mike grabbed Iris’s arm. “Watch out what you say. You have no idea what or who you’re talking about.”

  Iris smiled sweetly. “Are you sure about that Mike? Seems like I hit a nerve.” She tried to pull her arm loose. “Let go of me. You haven’t changed since we were kids. No, that’s not true. You’ve changed into a bigger bully.”

  Mike looked at his hand on Iris’s arm like it belonged to someone else. He dropped her arm and walked away.