Homicide In The Hydrangeas

by Leighann Dobbs

  “About an hour ago, we received an anonymous tip. You saw the dirt and overturned plant? That’s where the gun was found—it uses the same caliber bullet as the one that killed Joey Tuccinelli. Ms. Vivianne was his girlfriend, and more than one witness has stated that the two of them had had a fight the night Joey was murdered.” Ivan straightened, though he peered at Araminta through slightly narrowed eyes. “Even you have to admit it’s too neat to be a coincidence.”

  “You don’t have all the information, Hershey. Give me five minutes before you take her in. You are welcome to listen in, but I’d like to have a quick word with Vivianne, if you don’t mind.” Her words were couched politely with an extra helping of “I’m-being-nice,” but in her gaze was the fire of pure demand and promise of retribution if he decided to deny her.

  Ivan ducked his head and sighed. “I don’t know what good you think it will do, but I also don’t see what it would hurt to allow your request. The girl seems pretty distraught. Maybe if you talk to her, she will calm down a bit.”

  Araminta was already headed back into the office where Stephanie had waited with Vivianne. She glanced at him over her shoulder. “If you were being accused of a murder you didn’t commit, you’d be upset too.”

  Ivan’s brows drew together. “How are you so sure she’s innocent?”

  When she got back inside, the policemen were moving Vivianne toward the door. “Tell them to hold up, Detective.”

  Ivan looked exasperated, but must have decided to humor her. He held up a hand and nodded. Araminta walked over to Vivianne. “Do you mind if I ask a question or two? The other day when we were chatting, you mentioned your gun had been stolen, but I later wondered… where do you normally keep it?”

  Vivianne turned and gestured with her cuffed hands. “In my bag.”

  She had motioned to the giant tote which was hanging in the same place it had been the day Araminta spoke to her here: on the back of her chair.

  “Vivianne, I’m not absolutely certain, but I think I can help here if you’re willing to cooperate and answer a few more questions,” Araminta told her. “Can you tell me exactly what happened the night Joey died? I’ll need every detail, even those you might not think are pertinent.”

  Vivian nodded. “I already told you Joey and I got into a fight. I saw a picture in his office. It was lying on his desk. I brought it here and waited for him. We were going to see a movie after work. When he got here, I asked about it. I was furious, so I ripped it and crumpled it up and tossed it at him. He didn’t like that, so he stormed out.”

  Araminta waited for the information to sink in with the detective before she asked her next question. “Did you follow him?”

  “No.” Vivianne shook her head, and the tears started again. “Before I could run after him, Tony came out of his office—to see what was going on, I guess. We were pretty loud. I explained what had happened, and he stuck around to comfort me. He was so nice, so sympathetic and understanding. But he kept hugging me every time I got upset again, and it was kind of awkward because I had my tote slung over my shoulder.”

  She rolled her shoulder as if to illustrate that it was still strained from the event. She blushed. “The thing is rather bulky and heavy.”

  “No need to apologize for the size of your purse. Did you ever confront Joey that night?” Araminta asked.

  Again, Vivianne shook her head. “No. By the time Tony left, I was calm enough to go home, Joey was gone. I—I never saw him again.”

  “So Tony left the office after comforting you?”

  Vivianne nodded. “I was the only one here, and it was a good thing. I needed some time to myself.”

  Araminta nodded her understanding. Then, she brought up another part of the conversation she and Vivianne had had. “This might seem irrelevant, Vivianne, but you mentioned to me that someone other than Joey had a standing order with the florist for flowers. Tony, as a matter of fact. Do you know what type of floral arrangements he is having sent?”

  This time, Vivianne nodded her head in assent. “Roses. Every other day. He has impeccable taste, Tony does, and he tends to spoil his women. I’d tell you where they’re being delivered if I knew, but the address isn’t shown on the accounting information I get.”

  Araminta patted her shoulder. “No need, darling. I think I already know where they’re going. The good detective here will double-check, but first…”

  She turned to Ivan. “Let her go, Detective Hershey. Vivianne is not Joey’s killer.”

  Ivan scoffed at her directive. “No? And yet we found the gun right here in her office, buried in the soil of that potted plant. It wasn’t in her bag, Araminta. It had been hidden.”

  “Exactly,” she agreed. “But not by her. It was put there by the killer to frame her.”

  Again, Ivan scoffed. “So you’re saying someone stole her gun, killed her boyfriend, then came back here to hide it in a plant in her office. Araminta, I tend to listen to whatever you have to say out of deference to my grandfather, but what you’re asking me to believe is a little far-fetched. The evidence is here, in her office.”

  “It’s not far-fetched if the killer had access to the office. I’m not asking you to believe anything on blind faith, Detective. I’m telling you she didn’t kill Joey Tuccinelli, but someone nearby did and then tried to frame her for the murder.”

  Ivan crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll need a name, Araminta. If you don’t have one, we have to take Vivianne in. She was the last person to see the victim.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Daisy, could you come in here for a minute?” Araminta called toward the door. A few seconds later, she walked in, and Araminta gave her a sympathetic look before turning back to Ivan Hershey.

  “I believe that Tony Romano is your man,” she told him.

  Ivan visibly blanched before his shock turned quickly to worry for the accuser. “Tony Romano? Oh, you’d better have some serious stuff to back this up, Araminta. Do you know the guy? You know who he is? Nobody accuses him falsely and gets away with it.”

  Araminta motioned to Daisy. “You’ve been receiving flowers for several weeks now, yes? Two different bouquets on alternating days, but with no hint from whom. Anonymous is the sender?”

  Daisy nodded. “Roses then wildflowers. But what has this to do with Vivianne?”

  “Humph,” Araminta grumbled. “It’s more about what this has to do with Tony.”

  To Ivan, she asked, “Your grandfather said you were familiar with the Bucharelli case. Is this true?”

  Ivan nodded. “Right motive, wrong killer.”

  “Exactly, and that is what we have here.” She glanced at Vivianne, who was listening intently.

  Araminta explained. “Two men, both in love with the same woman. Jealousy. The men were Joey Tuccinelli and Tony Romano. The woman? Daisy. Vivianne was telling the truth. She kept her gun in her bag, and the night she argued with Joey, Tony saw an opportunity and took it... the gun too. That’s why he kept hugging Vivianne. He took her gun and killed Joey with it then hid it in that plant over there so he could call in a tip later.”

  “Yes, that explains it!” Vivianne cut in, but then snapped her mouth shut when Ivan gave her a withering look.

  Ivan’s gaze flicked back to Araminta. “I need proof, Araminta. Or a witness at the very least.”

  “Yesterday, I came by to speak with Tony about making a donation to the annual cat show. After I left his office, I heard Vivianne—she was upset, so I came in to check on her. She’d found out Joey had been using the company tab to send flowers to the woman in the picture. I believe that woman was Daisy. She mentioned that Tony also sends flowers, but she didn’t know to whom. I think if you call the florist, you will discover they were both sending them to Daisy.”

  Vivianne nodded enthusiastically but was smart enough to keep her mouth shut.

  “Go on,” Ivan said.

  “On one of my earlier visits here, I noticed someone had dug in the soil around t
he plant, but I thought it was Tony’s cat, Bear. He often brings Bear here. The problem is that cats hate to dig in potted plants. For example, Sasha and Arun dig in the garden, much to Yancy’s consternation, but they never touch the potted plants in the Moorecliff solarium.”

  “What does this have to do with Tony, Araminta?”

  “I’m getting to that,” she told him. “When I realized the cats don’t dig in potted plants, I knew someone had to have dug into that one. Plus, Tony’s white shoes had smears of the same kind of dirt on them. He’s very meticulous about his appearance, so I figure he hastily buried the gun in there and didn’t notice the dirt.”

  Ivan pressed his lips together. He looked a slight bit less skeptical, but said. “This is all based on your imagination, not actual facts.”

  “Yes, but you can verify all of it, and you should. Also, there has been a limo seen outside Moorecliff Manor the past few nights. I had Harold get the license plate. I’m sure you will find it belongs to Tony.” Araminta turned to Daisy. “He is still stalking Daisy.”

  The more she explained to Detective Hershey, the more certain Araminta was that she had figured out the identity of Joey’s killer. Tony had been lurking around Moorecliff Manor—it was the only way he could have known about the memorial garden, because when Daisy had paid off Reggie’s debt to him that night in the shadows, the garden hadn’t yet existed.

  Plus, the cigar butt she’d found had been put there after Joey was killed. Tony smoked cigars. And if he was still stalking Daisy after Joey’s death, not only would it explain the continued delivery of the roses, it would also explain the presence of the mystery limo they kept seeing. “You should have your forensics team run prints on Vivianne’s gun, because I am telling you, Detective, that Vivianne isn’t the one who killed Mr. Tuccinelli. No, Tony Romano is Joey’s killer.”

  “And where is Mr. Romano now?” Ivan asked, glancing at the closed office door.

  “He’s probably at the airport,” Vivianne piped in. “He had me book a flight to the Cayman Islands for him earlier today, and it leaves in an hour.”

  “Oh no!” Ivan sprang into action. He turned to the cop who was holding Vivianne’s arm. “Uncuff her for now, but keep an eye on her. I need to get to the airport.”

  They uncuffed Vivianne, and Ivan rushed off.

  “I think he finally believes you,” Stephanie said as she wistfully watched Ivan rush out of the building.

  Vivianne rubbed her wrists. “I can’t believe they were going to arrest me. And that Tony set me up. But now that you’ve stated your theory, Araminta, it all makes sense. I noticed my gun missing right after he was hugging me, and he did have access to the plant here.” She glanced over at the mess on the floor.

  Stephanie followed her gaze, a frown creasing her face. “I hope that plant is going to be okay. Yancy taught me that the roots need to stay covered. I’ll just readjust it a little in the pot, if that’s okay?” She glanced at the cop.

  “We already have the evidence and pictures. I suppose you can move it.”

  “Araminta, you saved me,” Vivianne said as they watched Stephanie tend to the plant. “How can I ever repay you?”

  Araminta smiled. The satisfaction of solving the case was payment enough, but it never hurt to have people owe you favors. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “I’m so glad you got involved, Araminta,” Trinity told her a few mornings later as the family and staff sat in the parlor. “If you hadn’t, the police might have put Vivianne away for a very long time, if not forever.”

  As it turned out, Araminta had been right about everything. Ivan and the police had taken Tony in that very night. They found some of his DNA on Vivianne’s gun, exactly as she had suspected they would. Once they had him and they had proof, Tony had confessed to everything, even sending the roses. In the end, his obsession with Daisy was his downfall. He’d taken the limo to Moorecliff Manor to peek in at Daisy one last time, and that had made him get to the airport late. The police were able to capture him as he was running for the plane.

  Araminta smiled at Trinity then patted her hand. “I don’t know about that, dear. I have every confidence that young Ivan would have figured out who the real killer was soon enough. But I am glad I helped him figure it out sooner, and Vivianne didn’t have to spend any time in jail.”

  Trinity nodded. “She seems tough on the outside, but she’s really a sweet person. That’s nice that she’s taking Tony’s cat. The two seem to have bonded.”

  “That’s good.” Araminta had worried about Bear with Tony being in jail. Knowing that Vivianne must be lonely without Joey, the logical conclusion was to suggest that she adopt Bear. “And how is your grandmother doing?”

  Trinity’s eyes lit. “Very well. The doctors have put her on a new medicine, and she’s responding very favorably. It’s all because of you and Daisy. I can’t thank you enough.”

  Araminta waved away her gratitude. “It’s nothing, dear. We’re family and take care of each other.”

  “Oh, that reminds me. Vivianne gave me these free drink passes for the Lantern Lounge for you. A new person is coming to run it, and Vivianne said he’s very nice.” Trinity pulled some tickets out of her pocket and thrust them toward Araminta.

  “That was very nice of her, but I think I’ve seen enough of the Lantern Lounge to last the rest of my days.”

  “I’ll take them, if you don’t mind.” Reggie grabbed them out of Trinity’s hand and pocketed them. He sat down on the sofa next to Araminta. “I’m just glad it all worked out and Daisy is in the clear.”

  “Yes, thank you all for believing in me,” Daisy, who was sitting on a mauve upholstered side chair with Arun in her lap, said.

  “Of course we knew you had nothing to do with it.” Araminta motioned for Sasha to jump up into her lap and glanced out the window.

  Trinity gave her a speculative look. “Is something bothering you, Araminta? You seem particularly thoughtful this morning.”

  She shook her head. “It’s nothing, really. I was just wondering, now that we know Tony was the real killer, must I return the check Tony gave us for the upcoming cat charity?”

  The entire Moorecliff family was looking forward to the upcoming competition. It would give them all a rest from the pall of murder that had hung over the family for far too long. A little fun would brighten all their lives, and there would be cats! So many beautiful fur babies. Not to mention that the shelter needed the money.

  “Of course not,” Daisy said. “Just think of it as Tony giving a little something to pay a tiny portion of his debt to society for all the evil things he’s done.”

  Reggie nodded. “Yes, I agree. You needn’t give it back, Araminta. Instead, put his money where it will actually do some good. That’s much better use than for his legal defense.”

  Trinity got up and started to dust around the vase of roses on the sideboard. “So Joey was sending the mixed floral bouquets and Tony, the roses?”

  “That’s right,” Araminta said. “The police were able to get the exact information from the florist. Each was sending flowers every other day. So Vivianne was right that Joey was using the company account for that.”

  “I guess those deliveries will stop now.” Trinity picked a few dead leaves from the arrangement. “I’ll try to make this one last. I’m going to miss the fresh flowers coming every day.”

  Just then Stephanie breezed into the room, holding a vase full of carnations in a rainbow of colors. “Where should I put these?”

  “Wait, flowers are still coming?” Daisy asked.

  Stephanie looked confused for a minute then said. “Oh, these? No they didn’t get delivered. These are from Ivan for Auntie Araminta. He wanted to thank her for her help in the case.”

  Araminta practically blushed. She’d never been sent flowers before for her help, not even from Jacob. “Well, how nice of him. Good to know he’s much more thoughtful than his grandfat
her.”

  “He is, but he did say that Jacob mentioned that he’d come to the same conclusion.”

  “Uh-huh, of course he did.” Araminta stood and fluffed the display. She did love carnations. “And I suppose he figured it out just a few hours before I did.”

  Stephanie bent to pet Sasha, who had been displaced when Araminta stood. “Now that you mention it, he did say something like that.”

  Araminta could have been angry, but she simply chuckled. “Leave it to that old coot to try to take all the credit.”

  Arun jumped down from Daisy’s lap and trotted over to the puddle of sunshine underneath the front window. “I’d say we solved another case, wouldn’t you?” he meowed to Sasha.

  “Yep. Excellent work getting Araminta to notice the limo and connect the dots that it couldn’t be Vivianne.” Sasha trotted over to Arun and held up her paw for a paw bump.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that’s over with. I’m exhausted and need a good week of napping before the cat show.” Arun tucked his nose into his tail and closed his eyes.

  “Ditto. I wonder if Codger will come to the show.” Sasha curled up next to him, pushing him slightly so that she could get more of the sun.

  “I hope so. It was good seeing him again. And I’m pretty sure that Jacob wants to make another visit to see Araminta.”

  “I sense that she would welcome that. They were good friends once; maybe they can find their way back.”

  “I’m just glad that we don’t have to prowl the grounds for clues anymore or try to protect the manor against intruders,” Arun said.

  Sasha’s tail flicked. “It’s disturbing to think that people were out there watching Daisy.”

  “Thankfully, that’s over with. Our duties at the cat show will be much lighter.”

  “I’m quite looking forward to that, all the primping and preening. We’ll be able to catch up with some of our old friends, and of course, the money it brings in for the shelter is critical.”