by Alexie Aaron
I put on my lipstick and took my time gazing in the mirror. “I wonder if I should keep this facade up. I bet it’s expensive.”
“We’re just playing a role here. I wouldn’t want you to look like this at home. It would be too disturbing.” Harry shuddered and changed the subject, “Billy Sands plays what instrument?”
“He is now the first chair alto saxophone. A young guy about twenty-five, I think? He went to Lake Worth High School, and I understand he was awarded a musical scholarship but never attended college. He plays in several local jazz groups and works full time at the Botanical Gardens.”
“I think we’ll let him give us a tour to check out if they have oleander there, and then we need to ask what kinds of weed killers he uses.”
“So it’s arsenic we’re looking for? I read that it used to be used in insecticides, rodenticides and pesticides, according to the Internet. I’m betting they have it somewhere there.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” He looked at his watch. “Better get going.” Harry put the top up and carefully backed out of the park. I looked at him oddly, and he nodded to the right where two traffic motorcycles stood ready to ticket us. Harry drove off like an old man going to church, very slow and with all the time in the world.
~
Harry turned into the parking area of the Gardens and whistled, “It’s a Small World,” as we passed Doctor Sanders getting into his Lexus.
“Wonder what he’s doing here?” I said as Harry passed him and parked the car closer to the gate.
“Arsenic,” Harry said, getting out of the car. He came around and opened my door, lifted some errant crumb off my pant leg and escorted me to the entrance.
“Could be a co-inky dink,” I answered, not really believing it. “Or maybe he and Billy...”
“Hold that thought, here is the boy of the hour now.”
Billy Sands was waiting for us at the front gate. He remembered Harry from the theater and was real excited about the interview. Billy’s spiky brown hair, green eyes, pirate earring and tan body seemed out of place garbed in his tan work clothes, hat on backwards and work boots. He gave the impression of a rock musician masquerading as a gardener.
Fortunately for the Gardens, Billy knew his stuff. He gave us an overview on the history of the place, taught us the difference between perennials and annuals. I never could keep them straight. He explained what exotics were.
“Basically, exotic is a term we use for a plant of foreign origin, a plant not indigenous to Florida. Are you aware of what happens when designers bring in these foreign plants and plant them in here? And then there are the invasive exotics. They ruin the ecosystem because they have no natural predators. I know you’ve heard about how Kudzu is destroying much of the southeast coast. Well, there is a tree in south Florida called Melaleuca. Melaleuca is a tree that can grow in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. It was introduced into Florida from Australia. Having no natural "biological controls" in Florida, this tree is literally filling in the Everglades, having taken over hundreds of thousands of acres so far.” Billy waited for our question.
“What are we doing about this?” Harry supplied.
“The first bio-control insects against Melaleuca in Florida were put to work in 1997, when Melaleuca snout beetles, Oxyops vitiosa, were released from quarantine into the Everglades by the USDA, University of Florida, and Army Corps of Engineers researchers. There is some success, but it’s too soon to tell if we, excuse the pun, are out of the woods.”
Billy listed many other exotics. Harry had him spell out the gnarly ones.
“I had some idiot dump a truck full of oleander on my front lawn Tuesday.” I baited my hook.
“That’s an exotic that you see everywhere, pink, red and white flowers. Sometimes we get called out to a house to identify plants. When I see that bugger I recommend that the homeowner pull it out. Especially if they have children.”
“Why?”
“It’s very poisonous. I don’t know if it was a story or a true-life thing, but I heard that some scout troop cut branches of oleander and roasted hot dogs or marshmallows on them. Those kids were very sick, very sick.” Billy adjusted his hat. “How’d you get rid of it?”
“Solid Waste Authority came in. I heard you couldn’t burn it.”
“Find out who did it?”
“No.”
“If you find out, give us a buzz. We too had some vandalism last night. I wonder if they’re related?”
“What happened?”
“Come here, I’ll show you.”
We followed Billy across the yard to a shady area. He pointed to a trampled patch of ground.
“What was here?” Harry asked.
“Datura stramonium, Jimsonweed or Devil’s Trumpet.”
“That’s nasty stuff. I read up on that recently. Why would anyone want it?” I led.
“I don’t know. It had just flowered. We had used it in a poison plant class, along with a couple of others. I worry that some idiot will make a tea of it looking for a high and instead end up dead.”
“My neighbor has some growing in his front yard. It has a rather unpleasant odor, nice purple flowers though.”
“Stinkweed is another name I’ve heard used and for good reason. My advice is to stay away from that baby. Every part of the plant is toxic.”
“Billy, do you ever come across any Strychnos toxifera?” Harry more than baited his hook, he jammed the barbs into Billy.
“Strychnos... what?”
“Toxifera. It’s a vine,” Harry explained.
“You’re not thinking of that stuff they found growing at that old drug manufacturer’s site. Ah, let me think.”
“Curare?” Harry supplied.
“That’s it. Remember those old Tarzan movies? Well the natives had poisoned darts. But Mr. Benjamin, my supervisor, told me it doesn’t even grow in Africa. Hollywood.” He shook his head.
“So they found it growing in Florida?” I asked, appalled.
“Oh, don’t worry, it isn’t running amuck. They must have been experimenting with the seeds, and when they were pulled out, the seeds weren’t discarded properly.” Billy was quiet for a while. He looked at Harry suspiciously. “How’d you find out about it?”
“School,” Harry answered simply. I guess a simple answer is best because it looked like Billy bought it.
Our tour continued, and I barely felt like I was in the city anymore. The occasional airplane overhead was the only sound that penetrated the garden.
I stopped in front of an immaculate bed of orange flowers and asked, “You must be working your fingers to the bone keeping the weeds down. I no sooner finish weeding at my flower beds when I have to start again at the beginning.”
“It used to be easier when it was okay to use chemicals. But we handle the problem a bit differently now. When we plant a new section, we underlay it with heavy tarp and poke holes in it to insert the plant and then put soil over it and finish off with cedar mulch.”
“I remember my father used to go around the tomato plants and sprinkle this white stuff.”
“Arsenic,” Billy said. “It doesn’t keep weeds down, just pests”
“Really?”
“Sounds like it. He probably wore a mask or a kerchief around his nose and mouth.”
“Yes, he did. So that was arsenic?”
“Yes, it was commonly used. Fortunately, it isn’t used now.”
“Did you use it around here?” I asked.
“Not me. That was way before my time, but I think there’s some still in the back shed. Must be hard to get rid of because I think it would have been disposed of before now. Anyway, it isn’t my problem. Let me show you the ornamental hedge maze we just started.” Billy continued our tour.
My cell phone rang, and I excused myself and walked away as Billy was explaining when you should prune to a very bored Harry.
“Hello?”
“Cin?” It was Tony.
“Yes?” I answered, feel
ing guilty.
“You sound funny.”
“I’m outside looking at plants.” Damn, why did I say that?
“Good day for it. Why I called is I have interviewed Doctor Sanders, and there are a few things, musical things, that I don’t understand. Buslowski said I should run them by you. He recommended sharing information.”
“Do I detect a note of sarcasm?”
“Oh, not just a note.”
“Funny you should say Doctor Sanders, when was the interview?”
“This morning. Why?”
“Oh, nothing. Harry and I just passed him on the road.”
“I did talk to him,” Tony said acidly. “I thought we could do an Agatha Christie and bring the amateur in on the info. And you can tell me how your day was, dear.”
There was that acid tone again. I chose to be silent.
“I also want to bring together Dave and the profiler to brainstorm. What I’m offering you is a seat at our table.”
“Make it two seats. I have to bring Harry.”
“Why Harry?”
“Because my son Alex says so. Harry is my bodyguard till Alex’s term ends.”
Tony blew air out of his nose. “Fine bring Harry. We will be meeting at the theater at seven tonight.”
“Why the theater, why not your office?” I asked, puzzled.
“The profiler and Dave haven’t been there yet. I want to run Carl’s death and the near poisoning of Manfred and Tobias by them.”
“Is Miles going to be there?”
“Yes. Don’t worry, so are ten or so technicians, policemen and a policewoman.”
“How PC of you,” I said dryly.
“I thought you would feel more comfortable with another woman around.”
I thought a moment. “Because?”
“Don’t you need a pack of women to go to the john with?”
“Cute, very cute. We’ll be there. Don’t worry about leaving the door open.”
“Why?”
“Harry still has Miles’s keys.” I wanted to add “duh” but Tony sounded like he was having a bad day at that. I said goodbye and rejoined Billy and Harry who, may I add, looked rather sheepish.
“Anything important?” Harry asked.
“I have a dinner to go to, Harry. I need to get home and change. Billy, this is going to make a great article. I will give you a call if they’re going to need pictures.”
“No problem, Cindy.”
Billy showed us out and waited until Harry and I drove off to return to his garden duties. Harry was very quiet. “What?” I asked.
“Later. First, what kind of dinner do you have?”
“I just said that to get out of there. We have been invited to brainstorm with Tony, Dave and the infamous profiler at the theater this evening at seven. I think we should eat something before we go. It could be another long night.”
“Good idea but let’s get take out. You and I have to go over Billy’s interview.”
“You are correct as always. I didn’t get to ask him much about band though,” I said as I pulled the scarf off my hair.
“Cin, Billy shared some information with me. I have it on the tape recorder in my pocket.”
“Anything interesting?” I asked.
“I’d rather you listen to the tape.”
“Give it here.”
“No, when we get home.”
“Okay, bossy.” I pouted until I saw a Taco Bell up ahead. “Shall we go to the border?”
“On one condition. You change your clothes first. You’re wearing white linen for Christ-sakes,” Harry insisted.
“You’re starting to sound like my mother. Okay, deal.” I was very curious about what was on the tape, but I was more hungry than curious. So I let Harry have everything his way.
~
One orange halter top plus two hours in the Florida sun equals? Two saggy boobs and one hell of a sunburn. I didn’t think my burnt shoulders could stand bra straps, but the alternative was to go braless in front of Tony, Dave, the profiler, what his name, and the rest of the police. I wanted them to take me seriously and not be distracted by the extra swing in my walk. I downed three aspirin and put on my blue cotton bra and washed-out blue jean shirt. My baggy jeans, that weren’t baggy at the start of the week, and walking shoes would have to do. I had already washed my face and was very pleased to see the sunscreen in the foundation had lived up to the Macy’s saleswoman’s boasts.
Harry was waiting for me in the kitchen with our fast food feast laid out. He was already into his second Mexican beer. I raised my eyebrow.
“Don’t worry. You’re driving tonight.” He pushed a can of cola my way.
“Thank you. It isn’t like you to give up a chance to drive. Are you sick of the car?”
“Nope, I needed the beer more than the rush of the engine,” Harry explained.
“Far be it from me to deny an adult alcohol.” I sat down and began devouring a burrito. “So play the tape.”
He pushed the button and opened his third beer. The tape started from when I had answered the cell. Billy had stopped talking about plants.
“So you doing her?” Billy asked Harry.
“Wha… what?” Harry was caught by surprise.
“Pretty hot lady. I’d do her. With those tits and that mouth. I never noticed that mouth till today. Lipstick.”
“She is the mother of a friend of mine. And besides I’m her spring intern.” Harry croaked.
“Too bad. Those chicks when they cross forty are great in bed!” Billy must have added some body language because there was a gap in the conversation.
“Yeah, like you ever had one,” baited Harry.
“Don’t tell anyone, but I did the dead woman.”
“What dead woman?” Harry was under control.
“That Cheryl. Hell, I still have the keys to her apartment. She and I spent lots of time there. She begged for it.”
“You said that she was dead?”
“Didn’t Cindy tell you?” Billy asked.
“No, what happened?”
“Someone poisoned her. I think it was her old man. Her ex. He was pretty scary. That’s why I stopped coming over. Saw him parked in the lot of her apartment building. I just drove by, didn’t stop. So you think she fools around?”
“Who, oh Ms. Fin-Lathen? Don’t know,” Harry started to say something and stopped.
The next thing I heard on the tape was my voice.
I looked at my miserable friend. I tried to put myself in his shoes. Didn’t work. So I asked, “Harry, why are you so, well, drunk?”
“I feel disloyal. I feel like I should have slugged him, something.” Harry was looking down at the floor.
“Oh, I thought maybe the thought of you and I so severely grossed you out?”
“Well, I never thought of you that way. As a mom, yeah, but a woman?”
“I believe the term was “pretty hot babe?”
Harry groaned.
“Okay, I wasn’t playing fair. First of all, you were playing a role. We both were. You couldn’t react because you would have been out of character. I’m not mad at you at all. However, I’m flattered that you think of me as motherly. I’m honored that you would punch Billy on my behalf. He was crude and disgusting. Men. Brian was kinda oily about it, but at least Billy was up front, to you anyway.”
“Would you?”
“Would I what?”
“Do Billy.”
“No, I haven’t thought much about men since Luke left.” My brain shouted “Liar, what about the priest?” I colored a bit, but cleared my voice and continued, “When I look at you, I see a great young person with his life ahead of him. Inside I feel the same pride I feel when I look at Alex or Noelle for that matter. You are part of us whether you like it or not. So can we put this behind us?”
Harry belched and smiled.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I ate happily with the knowledge that I was still “one pretty hot babe.” Take that Dudley Do-Rig
ht!
Chapter Sixteen
The Avery Theater marquee was dark. And although the side lot was filled with vehicles, there wasn’t one paying customer in the building. Harry was still buzzed on the beer. Each time during the drive up that I mentioned the profiler he went “ooh, ahh” just like people do when they watch fireworks. I ended up putting the top down and gave him a good dose of fresh air for the last five miles.
I pulled into a space and took my time putting the top up. Harry was a loose cannon sober. I could not even estimate the odds of disaster with him plowed. It was exactly seven when Harry and I walked in the door.
The lights were up on the stage and in the house. A uniformed policeman directed us around the back and out into the audience. I inched my way to a seat next to Sergeant Dave. I felt Harry and I would need a friendly face when Tony found out what we had been up to today. Tony was up onstage. He had set it up as it had been on Sunday night, with the exception that the stands were missing. This would make the view of the chairs, each with the player’s name on them, easier.
On either side of the stage was a screen. One had a PowerPoint chart of the musicians’ names showing. The other had the video, frozen at the beginning of the concert. I looked at the other members of the audience. Miles sat, arms crossed, in the front row far right. The security guards sat on the far left of the first row. Several familiar faces, no doubt the interviewing officers, sat together in the middle. The third row held Dave, Harry and me. Second row center was a fit, tanned gentleman taking up three seats with his files, notes and laptop computer. That would be the profiler.
Tony looked out into the audience and nodded his head. “Okay, we’re all here.” He walked to the center, picked up the microphone and turned it on. “I’m going to use this so you can hear me when I turn around and walk about the stage. First, let me introduce everyone. Please stand. Yes, I know this isn’t high school, but it’s important that each of us knows who is who.”