by Anne Canadeo
There was little space for photographs or art work on the walls, but Dana did see a family portrait. She looked closer and guessed it was taken during Holly’s graduation from high school. Everyone looked so young and happy, so optimistic. Little did they realize what was to unfold for the family by the end of that summer
Right below the photo, a framed print of lilies hung. It was a botanical drawing in pen and ink and watercolor wash. Dana lifted it, wondering if it hid the safe. It looked as if it had been there for ages, and but all she found underneath was a stained square of paint.
She checked the back of the print, not even sure what she was looking for. It was blank. No note or mark of any kind. She set the print back on the wall hook and gazed at it a moment. George Piper loved that particular flower she recalled, and cultivated all types—tiger lilies, Asiatic lilies, classic white trumpets, so prevalent at Easter, weddings, and funerals. The nursery had been known for its lilies in his lifetime.
A wall calendar hung in a space beside the door, the day of each month neatly crossed off, one by one. Dana lifted it and was not surprised that the safe was not under there, either.
She noticed some squares marked with notes about Rose’s appointments and scheduled deliveries. She wondered why the police had left the calendar. Had they missed it somehow? She decided to take it with her later and look it over more carefully before she went to bed.
It was more important to find the safe, if she could. Was it in this room at all?
The bookcases were little more than shelving hung against the walls. She pushed aside books on each row and searched behind them. Most of the books were thick, dusty guides to plants and trees, or insects and plant diseases. There were books on garden design and landscaping, as well. An entire shelf was devoted to masonry.
A shelf on the very bottom held only romance novels. Dana found that surprising. Ava’s legacy? Or was Holly a closet fan? She seemed so sensible about men, but sometimes Dana wondered if she was secretly holding out for a knight in shining armor. A true romance novel hero who would sweep her off her feet and make her life divine.
The poor girl was entitled to her fantasies. If only Holly would recover quickly and meet and marry a wonderful man someday. Maybe reading romances would help her recognize Mr. Right when he finally came along.
The dust suddenly got to her. She stepped back, overcome by a sneezing fit, and quickly covered her mouth and nose with her hands so she wouldn’t wake the entire house, then stumbled backward, trying hard to suppress the sound.
Her boot caught on the edge of the area rug and flipped up the corner. She found a box of tissues, then knelt down to smooth the rug back in place. She looked around, her spirits sinking. If the safe was in this room, she couldn’t find it.
She’d felt so sure about it. Where to look next? Perhaps the master bedroom? It was too close to the guest room to investigate tonight, that was sure.
She straightened the rug, preparing to go, but felt something jiggle. A loose floorboard? Why would that be? She quickly leaned over and pulled back the rug. A section of a board, a little over a foot long, was neatly cut on either end. She found a letter opener on the desk and easily levered up the board’s edge.
Sure enough, it was loose and came up easily. She felt almost giddy at the sight of a small black metal safe tucked beneath the floorboards, the silver knob for a combination lock stuck in the middle. She twisted the lock, wondering if it could possibly be open for some odd reason. It was locked tight.
She pondered possible combinations and started to try one, Holly’s birthday. No luck, She tried Rose’s next. The door wouldn’t budge. She recalled Ava’s birthday and tried those numbers, without success.
She couldn’t remember George’s birthday, and couldn’t think of any other significant numbers in his life off the top of her head. This was probably a good puzzle for her friends. Lucy, in particular, was good at cracking codes. Still, she wished that she could open the safe tonight and see what was inside.
She sighed and stood up. The rug flopped back into place. Where would she find the combination? George or Holly must have it written somewhere.
The police might be able to break the lock, but she wanted to get in first. Holly’s desk seemed a logical place to look first. Try to be positive, she coached herself. You might find it easily.
She sat behind the desk and began to search, starting at the top. A white china box held only stamps and paper clips. A pencil cup yielded nothing unexpected, too.
She pulled open drawers next, then sifted through rubber bands, paper clips, stationery, business cards, and file folders. The last drawer was full of bank statements. She pulled out a few for the current year and put them aside. After hours of listening to clients, Dana had concluded that most people’s problems stemmed from either love or money.
Holly’s finances could certainly yield some clues. Dana stuck her arm in the drawer and felt around the back. Could the combination be written on a card and taped somewhere? Maybe on the bottom of a drawer or even the chair? She pulled the entire drawer out, and a folder full of pages spilled out on the floor.
“Aunt Dana . . . catching up on some bookkeeping? You ought to leave that to me. It is a family business.”
Toby stood in the doorway, half hidden in the shadows.
Dana sat back and got her bearings. She did feel as if he’d caught her up to something nefarious. But she had every right to be in here. She was trying to help Holly.
“Detective Reyes asked me to look for a calendar or a datebook. It could help the investigation.”
“Really? Maybe I can help.” He stepped into the room and pointed at the calendar that hung beside the door “Is this what you’re looking for?”
He reached out and yanked it off the wall. Then tossed it on the desk.
Dana had to steel herself. She wouldn’t be intimidated by him. “I’m not the enemy, Toby. I’m trying to help Holly and help the police find out who attacked her.”
“You were always very helpful. A big support to the girls after Mom died. No one would deny that. But I’m here now. Things are going change. I’m just warning you.”
Dana stood up. He was a schoolyard bully, and she wouldn’t be intimidated. “Warning me? You disappeared for ten years, with no concern at all for your half sisters, and suddenly, you’re warning me off? Lord of the manor, staking your claim?” Her hands were shaking, but she pressed them flat on the desk. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I do know Holly and Rose are protected legally. Jack and I have seen to that.”
Toby came closer. He tossed his head back and stared down at her, his eyes cold with anger. “Jack, that legal genius who drew up my stepfather’s will. Who cut me out of everything I was promised. Holly and Rose, the little sweethearts, got it all. Jack saw to that.”
“Those were your stepfather’s wishes, not Jack’s. George left you a gift, a generous sum, I recall.”
“Generous? It was peanuts compared to what this place is worth now, and you know it.”
Dana stood up straight and took a step back, away from him. “You challenged the will. It held up. I’m not sure what you think you can go after at this point,” she said bluntly.
“Aunt Dana, what a thing to say. I admit, I’ve been remiss,” he said with mock sincerity. “But I’m here now, to help my little sisters. I worry about Rose. Holly is her legal guardian, but she’s not able to carry out her role right now, is she? Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, I always say.”
“Meaning what exactly?” Dana was afraid to hear the answer.
“I’ve hired a lawyer. He’s filing a petition for Rose’s guardianship. I am her closest relative. You seem to forget.”
Dana’s blood ran cold. His words left her speechless. A court would never name Toby as Rose’s guardian while Holly was sick . . . would it?
“Hire all the lawyers you want. You won’t even get a hearing. Count on it.”
Dana held his gaze, determined not
to show her fear. Then scolded herself for losing her temper. Threatening a person like Toby was the worst approach. You didn’t need to be a psychologist to know that.
But he only shrugged and replied in a mild, innocent tone, “I have to try my best. I do worry about poor Rose. If you and Jack have done such a great job watching over my sisters, why were they nearly killed last night? Any judge worth their salt will want to know the answer to that.”
He turned and left the small room. Dana heard his soft laughter as he climbed back up the stairs. The sound gave her chills.
Chapter 7
Maggie had tossed and turned most of the night, worrying about Rose and Holly. And Dana. As if there wasn’t enough on Dana’s plate, now she had to deal with the predatory half brother, Toby.
Maggie was standing on the porch, unlocking the shop door, when, as if mere thoughts had conjured her up, she heard Dana call to her from the street.
“Maggie? I’m glad you’re here. I was just going to phone you.” Her voice sounded relieved and a bit breathless, and when Maggie turned, Dana was already walking up the path.
Rose stood at the gate, with Oreo on a thin blue lead attached to the dog’s halter. Rose looked up and waved, and Maggie waved back.
“What’s up? Is everything okay?”
“We were on the way to the hospital to see Holly. But Detective Reyes called. She can’t meet up this afternoon to talk to Rose. She asked if we could stop at the station but . . .” Dana paused and glanced back at Rose
Maggie didn’t need to hear more. “That’s not a good place to bring Rose,” she said flatly. “Not at all.”
Maggie had been interviewed at the police station once and still felt anxious thinking about it. She considered herself very solid in stressful situations. Usually unshakable. But under police scrutiny she had been shaken, to her very core. It would be doubly stressful for Rose.
“You’d think Detective Reyes would be more sensitive. You’ve told her about Rose’s condition.”
“I guess she doesn’t understand the whole picture. She’s very busy and needs to keep the investigation moving.” Maggie thought Dana was being very generous, though her points were probably true. “Could we possibly meet her here? Just until you open. I’m sure it won’t take very long. It’s such a comfortable spot. Almost as nice as sitting in someone’s house.”
“Of course I don’t mind. That’s a very good solution.” Dana’s office wasn’t far, but the shop was definitely cozier. “I don’t open for at least an hour. I can hold back my fans a little longer, if need be. Does Detective Reyes agree?”
Dana already had her cell phone out. “I’ll explain it to her. It’s only to her benefit if Rose feels calm and comfortable. The police station would scare her, and she’s liable to not say a thing.”
“That’s true, and it should convince the detective.”
Maggie stepped inside, while Dana remained on the porch to talk to Detective Reyes. A few moments later, she came inside with Rose. Rose stood at the door for a second, seeming hesitant to enter.
“Come in, please. Oreo is welcome, too,” Maggie said, sensing Rose was about to ask.
“She’ll stay right next to me. I’ll hang on to her lead.” Looking relieved, Rose sat in an armchair, and the dog settled at her feet.
While Maggie wondered how to pull Dana aside, Rose looked around. “What a nice shop. There’s something interesting to see in every corner.”
Dana smiled at Maggie, looking pleased that her plan was working out.
“Thank you, Rose. I’d love to show you some projects and yarns if you have time later. Which reminds me, I need to find those buckles for the dog collars.”
Rose shrugged. “When you get to it. I sewed a big button on and pushed it through the stitches. See?” She showed Maggie Oreo’s collar, which had been finger stitched with the self-striping blue yarn Maggie had given Holly on Tuesday morning.
“That was a clever idea. But a real buckle will hold better. A button might slip open.”
No harm done if the collar did slip open, Maggie realized. Rose used halters on her dogs, not leads that were attached to a loop on a collar. The halters stayed in place even if the dog collar slipped off or popped open. The truth was, her dogs were so well trained, there was little danger of one ever running away or getting lost. As far as Maggie could see, they all wanted to stay as close as possible to their mistress.
Dana sat down next to Rose. “Detective Reyes will be here in a few minutes.”
Rose took a deep breath, then reached down and stroked Oreo’s head. “I’m ready . . . I think.”
Dana took her hand. “I’m right here the whole time. And so is Oreo. You’ll be fine. I promise.”
Maggie saw a gray Camry park across the street from the shop. After a moment, Detective Reyes climbed out.
“Here she is now,” Maggie said.
She walked to the door and opened it as Detective Reyes came up the porch steps.
“Good morning, everyone,” Detective Reyes greeted them as she stepped into the shop. Once inside, she slipped off her black weatherproof jacket and sat on a chair opposite Rose.
“Thanks for meeting us here,” Dana said.
“Not a problem. As long as we have some privacy.” She looked straight at Maggie.
“I have work to do in the storeroom. I’ll close the door, too,” Maggie said.
Lucy was the only one liable to stop by at this hour, and a quick text would take care of that, Maggie thought. She headed to the back of the shop, and Detective Reyes seemed satisfied. As Maggie glanced around, she saw the detective take her pad and pen from her purse and balance them on her lap.
Maggie slipped into the storeroom and shut the door with a little more force than necessary, to instill confidence that the interview was private, though she was actually aching to hear what was being said. She put her ear to the door but could hear nothing but murmuring voices.
She sighed and began her daily ritual. First, making a fresh pot of coffee. As the coffee dripped, she sent Lucy a short text explaining why the shop was off limits right now. She felt sure that Lucy would stop and circle the block with her dogs a few times, until she could get in to hear the latest news.
When the coffee was done, she considered bringing out a tray for the others, in the hopes of catching a few snippets of conversation, then decided the detective would get annoyed by the obvious ploy. It was best to keep her word and not embarrass Dana.
She filled her mug and set up the yarn swift, clamping the device to the counter. Might as well use the time productively. She did need yarn wound for a class this afternoon.
As she worked, watching the swift merrily spin, the door slowly creaked open. She wasn’t surprised. The shop was a crooked old house with uneven floors, windows, and doorways throughout. Part of its quirky charm, she’d always thought.
Now she had a moral dilemma. Shut the door or leave it open? She paused her winding and could hear the conversation clearly. She stepped closer. It was far too tempting. She couldn’t help it, despite her best intentions.
And she did want to help Dana and the Pipers. Couldn’t she help them much more if she knew what was being said right now?
“Take your time, Rose. There’s no rush. Try to tell me everything you can remember from Tuesday. Let’s start in the morning. What did you do when you got up?” Detective Reyes coaxed her.
“I took care of the dogs, like I always do. They need to go out early, and then I give them fresh water and breakfast. Then I get dressed and have my own breakfast. After that, I exercise them in the yard and train the new rescues. Sometimes people come by to see if they want to adopt one. But nobody was coming that day.”
“What was the weather like? I’m not sure I remember,” Detective Reyes said. Maggie had a strong feeling she did remember, but this was some sort of interview tactic.
“It was sunny and felt warmer. More like spring. A delivery truck came in the morning, with pansies and daffodi
ls. Carl helped Holly unload the flats. Holly doesn’t sell a lot of annuals, but she says the spring flowers bring customers in. Everyone likes them.”
That was true, Maggie thought. The bright, cheerful blooms seemed to mark the official end of winter, even when it was still chilly at night and in the early morning. Pansies rarely complained.
“So Carl Thornton was there in the morning, working with Holly. What time did he get there? Do you know?”
“I’m not sure. Before I came out. He just always seemed to be around once Holly hired him. I thought he lived in the woods or something,” Rose said.
“Why would you think that?” the detective asked curiously.
“I saw him there once at night, when I was walking Wolf and Oreo. They started barking, and he ran away.”
“Are you sure it was Mr. Thornton, Rose?”
“He’s not the type of person you’d mistake for someone else, and he had that red bandanna on. It was him. I’m sure.”
“Can you remember what night that was, Rose? Was it Tuesday?” Detective Reyes’s voice was calm and even, though Maggie sensed the answers were important to her.
Rose didn’t answer for a few moments. “No . . . I don’t think so. I think it was Monday night. When I came back inside, I was going to tell Holly. But she was talking to Dr. Riley.”
“On the phone?” Dana asked.
“No . . . He was at our house. They went into her office and closed the door.”
Maggie found that information interesting. Maybe he’d come to talk to Holly about Rose’s condition, and they hadn’t wanted Rose to hear? Or maybe the conversation had been personal, about a matter that didn’t involve Rose, only the two of them.
Once again, she recalled the argument between the two doctors that she’d overheard on Friday, while she sat in the hallway, waiting for Dana. She realized that she still had not told Dana about it.
“They were in there a long time,” Rose recalled. “I heard them arguing about something. I took my medication and went to bed.”
Medication that made her sleep soundly, Maggie assumed.