by Joyce Lavene
“Wow!” Walter stopped walking, staggered by the hours of work that had gone into creating these microcosms of life. “I had no idea it would be this way. What an accomplishment!”
Peggy smiled when she saw the amazed look on his sallow face. “I told you another murder wouldn’t be better than seeing all of this.”
Paul made it inside before the gates opened. Peggy let Walter wander the premises as he pleased. Rebecca Bandy, whose exhibit had been torn apart by the police, was still desperately trying to get it back in order.
“This was insane,” Rebecca said to Peggy as the two of them were putting in clumps of violets, oxalis, and other plants to recreate her exhibit. “I wish someone would’ve told me. I could’ve been here earlier to get this cleaned up.”
“The police wouldn’t let anyone come in any earlier.” Peggy tied pieces of moss to the sides of the cabin Rebecca had worked on. “I’m sorry this happened to you. Did you know Dr. Abutto?”
Rebecca Bandy was a tall, strong-looking woman with very short dark hair and a constantly angry expression on her plain face.
“I didn’t know him at all.” She used orange mums to decorate her attractive fence post. “I don’t know why someone decided to kill him in my exhibit. Why didn’t they kill him in his own exhibit?”
“I’m not sure.” Peggy helped her lift a wagon wheel that had been knocked aside by the police. “Maybe this was closer for them. I think this may be a crime of happenstance rather than premeditated. There were thyme flowers where Dr. Abutto was buried. I think the killer was remorseful after the deed was done.”
“Thyme flowers?” Rebecca considered the idea. “Do they know who killed him yet, or why?”
“Not as far as I know. It’s hard to figure these things out most of the time.”
Peggy finished helping Rebecca get set up before she walked down the concourse, checking in with the vendors and growers. Most of the people understood that the flower show had been disrupted under terrible circumstances. They asked about Dr. Abutto’s family.
Others told her they planned to demand the money back that they’d paid for registration. There was no accounting for how people would react to adversity.
She finally reached The Potting Shed’s exhibit on her return trip. Selena and Sam had set it up and they’d done a great job. Peggy was afraid other exhibitors might get upset if she had anything to do with her own exhibit. There were prizes for the best and most interesting features at the show. She wasn’t judging them, but she would be handing them out.
“What do you think?” Sam asked when he saw her. “I think everything held up okay.”
Sam wanted to promote the landscaping aspect of the business, of course. Peggy hadn’t objected—the landscaping promoted the shop and vice-versa. It was hard to notice one without the other.
To make that happen, Sam had created a real waterfall with rocks and bright green moss. It had taken him days to put it all together. The back of the exhibit appeared to be the back of a house. It was meant to state, ‘Your backyard could look like this!’
Selena had spent hours creating bluebirds out of mums that had been dyed blue. There were rows of dwarf asters in purple, blue, and pink that were accentuated by columbines and coreopsis. On one side, the tall flowers, including fox gloves, day lilies and campanulas that created a showy height which set off the rocks and the waterfall.
“It looks wonderful, breathtaking!” Peggy raved. “Who wouldn’t want their backyard to look this way?”
“I wouldn’t,” Paul said. “Not unless Sam was going to take care of it. I don’t even like to think about all the work that went into this.”
Sam and Paul shook hands.
“You pay me and I’m part of the deal,” Sam said. “Ask your mom. I’m not cheap, but I’m easy.”
Selena giggled. “You can say that again.”
“Anyway.” Peggy shook her head. “I have to go check in with everyone else. The exhibit looks fantastic, you two. Lunch is on me. Let me know what you want and I’ll send Paul out for it.”
“I’m not here to run errands.” Paul’s trained eyes searched the crowd that had begun to throng through the convention center. “I’m supposed to be here watching out for you.”
Sam frowned. “What happened?”
Peggy waved her hand as though it was unimportant. “Police protection. I’ll explain later.”
She left quickly before she got trapped into answering other questions. Paul stayed with her even though the crowd swelled so much that both of them were crushed as they strolled down the concourse.
The media was on hand again, from different cities across the region. Peggy did several interviews which included questions about the murder. She kept her answers circumspect, not wanting to hinder the investigation. She didn’t want to spend all her time talking about the murder either.
“It looks as though murder is good for business,” one reporter from Atlanta quipped.
“I think this show would’ve done very well without the unfortunate circumstance. It’s a time-honored event every year, with a devoted following.”
“Would you like to show us Dr. Abutto’s exhibit?” the reporter asked.
“I’m sure it’s off limits. Thank you so much for coming today.” Peggy shook the woman’s hand and walked away. They’d have to figure it out by themselves.
Paul stayed at Peggy’s side all morning as she made the rounds talking to all of the vendors at the show. Most were happy to be there. Their exhibits looked good and the crowd continued to grow.
Contrary to her earlier statement, Selena went out to get lunch for Peggy, Paul, and Sam. She came back with sub sandwiches and news that the parking lot was full and traffic was spilling into an alternate lot.
“There’s Dabney Wilder.” Peggy pointed out the head of the convention center. She knew he also was responsible for several other public venues in Charlotte. “I wonder if Al has had a chance to talk to him yet.”
“We’re not doing that, right, Mom?” Paul finished his sandwich and balled up the wrapper. “You’re way too busy keeping the show running to be involved in the investigation, right?”
Sam and Selena both laughed. Over lunch, Peggy had told them all the details about the two visits from different Tanyas and her dinner at Bob’s Chicken Coop last night.
“Peggy’s never too busy to ask questions and otherwise get involved in anything she isn’t supposed to be involved in.” Sam chugged the last of his bottled lemonade.
“That’s true,” Selena said. “Badly put together, but true.”
“It’ll only take a minute.” Peggy kept her eye on Dabney to keep from losing him in the crowd. “You stay right here. I’ll be right back.”
“If you’re going, I’m going.” Paul got to his feet. “It’s not like he’s gonna know I’m on the job. I won’t spook him, but if something goes down, I’ll be there.”
“Paul—”
“Let’s do it.” He helped her to her feet. “I’ve always wanted to see my mother, the botanical detective, in action.”
“Oh, all right then.” She touched up her lipstick and picked up her bag. “Don’t say anything.”
“I won’t,” he promised with a smile. “This is all on you.”
They walked through the crowd that was hovering around The Potting Shed’s exhibit. Sam had handed out hundreds of flyers already. Selena had made more while she was out getting lunch.
Dabney was with a man Peggy recognized, Tim Roseboro. Tim was a wealthy man who came from a rich and important background in the city. One of his forefathers had signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, a historic document that had preceded the national version. His father had been on the city council for many years.
The family was ensconced in a huge mansion on Sharon Road, aptly named Rose Cottage, presumably for the beautiful, old rose garden that grew in front.
Peggy knew Tim from working with the committee to bring the flower show to Charlotte. He’d
been deeply involved in the process.
“Dabney. Tim.” She approached them with a smile on her face. “What a wonderful turnout, don’t you think?”
“Especially after the terrible thing yesterday.” Dabney shook his head, his wild blond hairdo flying everywhere. He was a famous Charlotte attorney who’d once run for DA. After the loss, he went over to the defense side, taking on the biggest and richest clients in the state. “I never expected to see this crowd today. It’s amazing.”
Tim also said hello to Peggy. “No one can buy that kind of publicity. You know everyone here is expecting to see something that relates to the murder.”
“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” Peggy asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. He was a short, thin, studious-looking man, although rumor had it that he was nothing like that. He’d dropped out of several universities across the state. He wore thick, square, black-framed glasses that made his face look too pointed.
“I don’t care. Whatever brings the people in. My mother is so happy to have the show here. She’ll probably be here everyday. She called the governor yesterday when the show was canceled. She wants it to come to Charlotte every year from now on.”
Elaine Roseboro was a formidable woman, from what Peggy had heard of her. Peggy guessed that she must be in her nineties now. She was small but had the ego of a queen. Peggy could imagine the demands she’d put on her son.
“I’d like that too,” Peggy admitted, turning to Dabney. “Would you mind if I take a minute or two of your time? I have something I want to ask you.”
Dabney shrugged and told Tim he’d see him later. “What is it?”
Peggy’s green eyes were sharp as glass. “I heard you had dinner with Dr. Abutto at the Chicken Coop the night he was killed. You may have been the last person to speak with him before his death. Did he say anything unusual?”
Chapter Ten
Chamomile
Chamomile has a long history of curing digestive problems and having a calming effect on the body. The flowering plant, part of the daisy family, is native to Europe and Asia. The ancient Egyptians used it for fevers and other ailments.
Dabney’s blond eyebrows shot up. They looked remarkably like large, fuzzy caterpillars. “I’m sure I wasn’t the last person to see him alive. That might be an exaggeration, don’t you think?”
“Well, I know the security guard at the gate saw him before he came inside here. As far as we know, no one else was in the convention center. I was wondering what you two talked about? Did he seem upset at all?”
Dabney grinned quickly, uncomfortably. He straightened his tie. “Are you working for the police now, Peggy? Shouldn’t you be asking questions of the vendors?”
“I’ve spoken to all the vendors,” she assured him. “This is me being curious.”
“It’s annoying.” He glanced at Paul. “Is this your bodyguard?”
“No. This is my son.”
Paul shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You look familiar,” Dabney told him. “Have we met before?”
“People say I look a lot like my mother.” Paul shrugged. “I think it’s the hair.”
“I don’t know what you heard or who you heard it from, Peggy,” Dabney said. “I had dinner with Abutto. It’s not unusual for me to have a meal or coffee with someone who’s here at the center. My wife is interested in orchids. I asked his opinion on getting some for her.”
“I see.” Peggy didn’t lose eye contact with him.
Dabney laughed. “That’s what this is all about, isn’t it? I should’ve asked you about raising orchids. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. Everyone in Charlotte knows that you’re the plant lady.”
“I appreciate that.” Peggy put her hand out to him. “Do you have my business card?”
“No. I’ll be glad to take one.”
Peggy promised to get a card to him and thanked him for his time. She and Paul went back into the crowd. They sat down again at the picnic table in the backyard Sam had created. Selena was passing out flyers.
“Well?” Sam asked. “Did he kill Abutto?”
“He was uncomfortable about something.” Peggy glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “I think I threw him off. He thought I was asking about his meeting with Dr. Abutto because he was looking for information about orchids.”
“That’s a good thing.” Sam finished off Selena’s lemonade too. “You don’t need him sending someone after you to look for the duffel bag too.”
“He was nervous,” Paul admitted. “I don’t think Al has questioned him yet.”
“I don’t either,” Peggy agreed.
“So what’s next?” Sam asked. “Need me to jump in somewhere?”
“I’m not sure what to do next,” Peggy said. “If something comes up, I’ll let you know. Thanks for volunteering.”
“I know the way it is. Either I volunteer or you draft me.” Sam shrugged. “Same thing, either way. At least I keep some of my dignity by volunteering.”
Paul laughed and finished his soda. “I can’t believe you were so against me becoming a cop, Mom. You’ve got your own people on the job all the time.”
Sam agreed, chuckling.
They were interrupted when Selena came over to get Sam to talk to a potential landscape customer.
Peggy’s phone rang. She could hardly hear it in the noisy crowd.
It was Dorothy. “We have some samples we need you to look at. Anyone can keep that flower show going, Peggy. Are you our forensic botanist or not?”
“All right. These are extreme circumstances. I’ll try to find someone to fill in for me.”
Peggy had a working member of the flower show committee paged. She knew Adam Morrow had to be around somewhere, even though he hadn’t answered her calls or texts.
Adam had been her right hand man setting up the show. They didn’t meet regularly, or even work together. She’d given him tasks and he’d taken care of them. He’d updated her when something was done or needed to be done.
He finally called her after hearing the message on the PA system. “Sorry, Peggy. I got a burst water pipe over here. The plumber has been here so I think we’re good to go. My pond didn’t look like much when it was empty and my koi didn’t like it either. What can I do for you?”
Adam ran four florist shops in the Charlotte area. He was good at dealing with emergencies.
“I loved your setup,” she told him. “I came by this morning but your assistant said you were out. I thought the wedding theme was awesome. You always come up with good ideas.”
He laughed. “What are you buttering me up for?”
“I need to leave the show, hopefully for only a few hours.” She told him about her obligation to the medical examiner. “Trust me, she’s not someone you want to mess with.”
“Like I believe you’re afraid of anyone,” he quipped. “Don’t worry about it. I can walk around and listen to people complain while I hold their hands as good as you can.”
“Thanks, Adam. I’ll let you know when I get back.”
Peggy told Selena and Sam she was going. Sam didn’t care. He was negotiating the promise of a new landscaping contract for a country club in the Ballantyne area.
Paul walked out with Peggy, texting as he went. When she asked what was so urgent, he told her he was letting Mai know that he’d be at the ME’s office.
“She said we could do lunch. She hasn’t eaten yet.” Paul grinned. “It was only a sandwich. I could eat again.”
“You’re a pretty good husband. I know Mai appreciates you.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to tell, especially with the baby coming. There’s a lot of tension.”
He left her by the front gate, talking to Reggie’s replacement, while he went to get the car.
The daytime guard was Pete. Reggie got off right after the opening of the flower show.
“Yeah,” Pete said. “Good crowd. We had the Republicans here last month. What a bunch of
angry people.”
Peggy smiled at his stories about Republicans. “I guess flower growers are probably happier people.”
“For the most part. There was this one guy when the exhibits were being set up. I thought about him when I heard about the dead guy, you know?”
Her bright red brows knit together. “Was the angry man with Dr. Abutto?”
“No. I don’t remember seeing the guy from South Africa, God rest his soul. I’m talking about that lawyer you always see on TV. The one with the big, fluffy blond hair. I can’t remember his name. Not a great commercial, huh?”
She knew who he was talking about. “Dabney Wilder. He helps run the convention center.”
“Yeah. He always expects me to valet his car. I’d tell him I’m too busy, but you know where that would end up.”
“Who was he with?”
“I don’t know who the other guy was.” Pete shrugged. “He was chewing him out royally right here in the parking lot. I thought I might have to call the police. Then they calmed down and walked inside together.”
“What did he look like?”
“He was short and he wore weird glasses. It looked to me like the lawyer could pick him up and throw him on the ground like one of those wrestlers on TV.”
Paul pulled the car up beside her. Peggy thanked Pete for his observations.
She got in the car and told Paul what the security guard had told her.
“I can’t believe I leave you for a minute and you’re chatting with the security guard about the murder.” He smoothly entered traffic going out of the parking lot.
“We weren’t talking about the murder. He was telling me about Dabney, and what sounded like Tim Roseboro, arguing in the parking lot.”
“Does that have something to do with anything that’s going on?”