by Joyce Lavene
“I’ll leave you two to sort it out. I’m going to walk up the concourse and gather today’s problems.”
“I should go with you.” Millie protested but her eyes never left Sam’s handsome face. “It may not be safe.”
“I’ll be here when you get back,” Sam said. “I don’t want anything to happen to Peggy.”
Millie reluctantly gave up looking at him to join Peggy. “Someone should sculpt him. I’d like to have that statue in my garden, know what I mean?”
“Believe me, I hear it all the time.”
“I bet you do. There are probably women out there who only hire him to watch him work.” Millie grinned. “I would.”
Peggy smiled. “I’m sure that’s true.”
There were several complaints about the night-time cleaning crew bothering displays. One exhibit lost power. Peggy got on her phone and called the number she’d been given in case that happened.
Another exhibit, the one with the huge pink magnolia trees set in pots, had lost water. Peggy assured them that she’d take care of it. The owner, a man from Texas whose huge hat made him look as though he was going to fall over, thanked her and asked her out to dinner.
Peggy handled that request as tactfully as she could. She didn’t want to create any more bad feelings about the flower show for anyone. As it was, two murders later, it seemed unlikely it would happen in Charlotte again.
“I think he likes you.” Millie glanced around as they left that exhibit. “He obviously doesn’t know Steve is your husband. I don’t think he’d be as likely to try and mess around with you.”
Peggy blushed. “You know, that’s one thing that has surprised me about Steve— garnering such goodwill with his superiors that they promoted him to being director in Charlotte. He seemed so ordinary to me when I first met him.”
“It’s those ordinary ones that get you. Steve’s good at what he does. He kind of slides right in while no one is looking and gets the job done. Believe me, he was promoted because he’s done good work.”
Even having seen Steve in action, Peggy still found it hard to have that image of him. “It floored me when I found out the truth.”
“Really?” Millie wrinkled her nose. “I guess I see him differently because we’ve worked together for a while. He’s good at not showing his real face. I’m sure it’s different being married to him.”
Peggy wasn’t so sure about that. She was still waiting to wake up and find all the pieces in the puzzle that had become her husband.
Adam Morrow came running up to them, out of breath and white-faced.
“Peggy, something awful has happened. Can you come with me?”
Chapter Twenty-three
Saw Palmetto
The saw palmetto is part of a large family of plants. There are more than 2,000 varieties throughout the world. There are five species of palm native to South Carolina where the saw palmetto is on the state flag and is considered the state tree. The date palm is considered the original species since it dates back 6,000 years ago where it was grown for food in Mesopotamia.
“Of course.” Peggy started moving quickly in the direction he’d come from. Millie was right beside her, a hand on the gun under her short jacket.
“Who’s this?” Adam asked.
“This is Millie. What’s the problem?”
“You’ll see when we get there.”
There were huge signs on the door and outside the building asking visitors not to bring in pets. There had already been a few violations of that ban.
A woman with bright blond hair was screaming at a small dog that was digging at the base of a palmetto tree planted in the South Carolina Master Gardener’s exhibit. The dog wasn’t leashed. It seemed the woman had brought it into the building inside her handbag.
“Someone get him out of there,” the woman yelled. “He’s gonna get hurt.”
Peggy thought it seemed like the palmetto the dog was aggressively attacking was more likely to get hurt than the dog. Then she saw why the dog was barking and trying to get through the palmetto. Matilda the skunk was back at the show.
“Where’s Ken Benigni?” Peggy demanded.
“Save my dog,” the woman yelled. “That skunk probably has rabies. Doesn’t anyone have a gun handy?”
The chaos got bigger as vendors and growers started coming closer to the fray. Peggy glanced at her watch. They were only moments from opening the doors to visitors. She had to do something fast.
“I’m going in there. Adam, page Ken for me. And someone find a security guard to escort this lady out.” Peggy wasn’t sure how the woman got inside. She was obviously a visitor and shouldn’t have been there yet.
She took off her shoes and walked over the soft, green moss that had been carefully layered on a path that led past the palmetto and a model of a boy sitting at a fishing hole.
The whole scene had a lovely, serene quality to it—before the dog and skunk had arrived. South Carolina was showcasing some beautiful aspects of different gardens in the state, including Brookgreen Garden in Myrtle Beach. There was a smaller version of one of the horses from that statuary garden.
Peggy wasn’t sure about the Pekingese, but she felt she had a relationship with the skunk. She went to grab Matilda and get her away from the dog. Hopefully, the dog would return to its owner when the skunk was gone. Problem solved.
What she didn’t reckon with was that the little skunk was terrified by the loud, yappy dog. When she reached down to pick her up, Matilda sunk her teeth into Peggy’s arm.
There was a loud groan from the crowd that had continued to assemble. Even the security guards were standing there, watching what was happening.
The bite hurt. Peggy drew back quickly and looked at it. It was small but bloody. She hoped Matilda really had all of her shots, as Ken had promised.
Not one to let go of a problem, she reached down again and this time, grabbed the skunk from behind and managed to lift her out of the situation without getting bitten again.
Everyone applauded. The Pekingese kept yapping, but now at Peggy’s feet.
“There she is.” Ken came running toward them. “Oh my God! Did she hurt you? I’m so sorry, Peggy. She knows better.”
“Why did you bring her back again?” Peggy held a tissue on her arm to stop the bleeding.
“I couldn’t leave her at your house this morning. She hadn’t eaten and she looked so sad.” Ken flung his arms into the air and made a face that asked how she could even consider it.
“I hope she’s had her shots.”
“Absolutely. Like I told you, I have children who come to my petting zoo in Minnesota all the time. That bite might hurt, but there’s no disease in it.”
A security guard finally stepped in to assist and picked up the Pekingese, giving the dog back to its owner. He then walked the woman out of the convention center.
Millie, Ken, and Adam accompanied Peggy to the first aid station. Millie did a credible job making a field bandage for the wound.
“You should probably get that looked at,” the agent advised. “Have you had a tetanus shot recently?”
“I think I’m fine with that.” Peggy flexed her arm in the bandage. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I hope Steve doesn’t yell at me for not keeping you safe from the skunk. I could’ve shot it.”
Ken rolled his eyes. “Thank goodness you didn’t. She means the world to me. That’s why I couldn’t leave her today.”
“She’s going to have to leave,” Adam said. “The skunk has caused enough trouble. Get her out of here or I’ll have to call animal control.”
“Please, don’t do that. I’ll take her out to my truck. It’s not that hot in the morning. I can close down for a while at lunch and take her back to Peggy’s house.”
“I can’t leave to open the door and turn off the alarm,” Peggy told him. “We have another award presentation today at noon.”
“I’ll take care of the presentation,” Adam said in a long-suff
ering tone. “My assistant can take over my exhibit for a while.”
“Thanks.” Peggy got up and picked up her bag. “I promise this will be the last time today.”
“All right.” Adam smiled at her. “I’m glad to help out. You know I am. I don’t want to miss any sales opportunities, that’s all. I should’ve brought more help with me, like you did. I didn’t expect to be so busy.”
“If you need some help, I can send Selena down to watch your spot,” Peggy offered. “I appreciate all you’ve done.”
Adam said he thought he’d be fine. With the emergency over, Peggy and Millie finished checking with all the vendors and went back to The Potting Shed exhibit to sit and watch the crowd come in.
“I had no idea gardening was so popular,” Millie said as people began streaming in through the door. “I knew I liked it, but I always thought I’m probably the only one.”
“Not at all, thank goodness. Gardening has always been popular.”
Large groups of visitors continued to pour in until noon. Peggy hated leaving the flower show again, especially when she noticed that Adam’s name was on the list to receive a special award for a floral display that he’d created.
That was where Paul came into the picture. Yawning and holding a large cup of coffee, he walked in as Peggy was about to leave.
“You’re my lifesaver,” she exclaimed when she saw him.
“Not sure what we’re talking about, but I guess I’ll take the credit.” He shook hands with Millie and thanked her for doing what he considered to be his job.
“Not a problem, Officer Lee. I had a great time with your mother this morning.”
“You must like gardening and plants.”
Millie smiled. “I do, as a matter of fact. We also had an adventure.” She told him about the skunk biting Peggy.
Fierce green eyes fastened on the white bandage on Peggy’s arm. “Are you okay, Mom? Did you go to the hospital or something?”
“Of course not. The skunk has had her rabies shots and whatever else she was supposed to have. It hurts a little, but I’ll be fine.”
Millie shrugged. “Your mom is tough, Lee. I’m thinking we should recruit her.”
“Anyway.” Peggy ham-handedly changed the conversation. “Paul, could you take Ken and Matilda back to the house for me? The skunk can’t stay here. I’d like to be here to give Adam his award. He’s done so much for me. I hate for him to have to accept the award from himself. It doesn’t have the same affect.”
“Sure,” Paul said, “if Agent Sanford doesn’t mind hanging around a little longer. I’m supposed to be your bodyguard again. One of us has to stay with you.”
Millie looked at her watch. “I’m fine with that. I don’t have to report in until two. Go on, Lee. Take the skunk home.”
Paul laughed and Peggy pointed to where he could find Ken and Matilda.
“Thanks for staying longer, Millie.” Peggy went to find Adam before the award ceremony started.
“I’ve had a great time. I’d be glad to stay all day. By the way, what are those pink lilies over there that smell so good? I’d like some of those.”
“Those are Stargazer lilies. They smell heavenly, don’t they? They’ll perfume an entire yard. Or in your case, a whole terrace.”
Millie breathed deeply of the wonderful aroma. “I won’t always only have a terrace. Someday, I might have a big yard like yours.”
“I’m sure that’s possible.”
Peggy found Adam right before he was ready to go onstage with the list of award winners and trophies. She explained that she could take over after all.
He seemed relieved to hand everything to her. “I wasn’t looking forward to giving myself an award. I know how that would look.”
“You don’t have to do that. I loved your display. I can’t imagine you not winning an award for it.”
“Thanks, Peggy. That means a lot coming from you. I know we’re not in the same field, but you have a knack for knowing what works.”
“I appreciate that, Adam.”
“Like you knew what to do with those diamonds you found.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have known what to think. You did the right thing. I heard Dr. Abutto’s daughter was found alive.”
“Yes, bless her heart. What an ordeal. I hate that she had to go through, it only to find that her father had been killed.”
“I know. It was tragic.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “Have the police found his killer?”
“I don’t know.” Peggy looked at the rapidly-filling audience. “I think it’s time to get started.”
There were five florists from three states that won awards for their work. Each of their winning displays had been put on tables so they could be featured with their creators in photos.
Adam’s brilliant design had been created with orange blossoms and tiny white lights. There was even a small fountain at the center of the work.
When she called his name, Adam came over to her, took the award, and shook her hand, as the other floral designers had done.
“I’d like to add that Adam Morrow is more than simply a wonderful designer,” Peggy said before she let him go back to his spot near his creation. “He’s also been instrumental in helping the flower show come here to Charlotte this year, and keeping it running for the past few days. I couldn’t have done it without him.”
There was a brisk round of applause, followed by media photos. Even the local cable channel had been there to broadcast the whole thing.
Peggy hoped that would help Adam’s business. He certainly deserved a break.
Millie was waiting for her when she got down from the stage. “I got a call from Steve. Bad news, I’m afraid.”
Chapter Twenty-four
Stargazer lily
The stargazer lily was developed in 1978 by a plant breeder, Leslie Woodruff. His hybrid was a cross between an Asiatic lily and an Oriental lily. There are no exact details of the mixture between the two plants. Woodruff was looking for the bright colors and strong growth habits of the Oriental lily and the fragrance and elegantly-shaped flowers of the Asiatic lily. The plant was named ‘stargazer’ because the flowers open toward the sky.
“What’s wrong?” Peggy asked.
“It looks like Tim Roseboro is clear on both homicides. The police checked his alibis this morning. Both of them are good. We’re back to square one, as far as the murders are concerned.”
“At least he can’t deny that he kidnapped Tanya.”
“No, we’ve got him on that. He gave the DA some evidence on his involvement in the plot to smuggle the diamonds into the country. Dabney Wilder was definitely involved, maybe masterminded the whole thing. His assistant, David Mueller, was involved too. They picked him up.”
“He was such a nice young man,” Peggy lamented. “What now?”
“We go back over the evidence we’ve collected and try to come up with another suspect. I imagine that will mean you going back to the medical examiner’s office for further instruction. I’m supposed to report to Steve for my next assignment.”
“So you’ll be leaving Charlotte?”
“No. Steve, Norris and I are assigned here for now. We’ll cover this part of the state and mostly be home every night. I’m off this case, but I’m headed to Gastonia to investigate some mail fraud.”
“It was very nice spending time with you.” Peggy and Millie had reached The Potting Shed exhibit again. “I don’t know if the FBI is like the police or not. Do you get together sometimes—dinner, cocktails—that kind of thing?”
“Yes, we do. I hope that’s an invitation to your place. I’ve seen the outside. I’d love to see the inside.”
“Consider it an invitation then.”
Paul was back and told them that Matilda was safe at home again. “I understand that you have a meeting, Agent Sanford. I’ll see you later.”
She nodded. “Officer Lee. I hope to see you at dinner very soon.”
Peggy didn’t have to te
ll Paul the news Millie had given her.
“Yeah. It’s a shame Tim Roseboro didn’t kill Dabney and Dr. Abutto. I have a feeling he made a good deal with the DA, even though kidnapping is a federal offense.”
“Is it possible Dabney or his assistant killed Aris?”
“They were together at a charity function when the ME says Dr. Abutto died.”
“I’m sure Tim is going to prison for a long time anyway,” Peggy agreed. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do now. I guess Al still thinks I could be in danger or you wouldn’t be here. Millie said I should check with Dorothy about looking back at the evidence.”
“Why don’t you give her a call?” Paul suggested. “I could do with some lunch. I’ll buy, if someone else can run for it.”
Selena had been standing nearby. “Not me. I’m busy keeping Sam in flyers. I’m glad this thing is over tomorrow. I’ve worked harder here than I usually do at the shop.”
“I have to stay with Mom,” Paul told her. “Sam is selling landscaping. I think that makes you the lunch go-fer.”
“Whatever. I’m everyone’s go-fer.”
Peggy called Dorothy. “It looks like I’m going to have to leave after lunch. Adam is going to love this.”
Selena ended up going out for sub sandwiches again. Sam had a lull in foot traffic that allowed him to eat with the others.
“You’re not going to believe the contracts I’ve picked up,” he told Peggy as they sat at the picnic table. “We have to bring the flower show here every year, or make one of our own. We never get contracts when we go to Atlanta.”
“And I don’t get to go,” Selena complained. “I thought that was a bad thing, until now. I’ll be glad to stay home and take care of the shop next year.”
“That’s great news, Sam,” Peggy agreed. “I hope you’ve chosen someone to help you out.”
“He should be ready to go when I start back next week,” Sam said. “You remember Jasper? He helped us with the pond at the shop? His pond business didn’t work out so well. I think he’ll be great.”
“Is he still hot?” Selena asked.
“I guess so. He’s got a girlfriend though.” Sam smiled at her.