Poisoned Primrose

by Dahlia Donovan

  “Right, knitting. What’s your current project?”

  Teo shifted both of the bags into one hand and grabbed his phone out of his pocket. He scrolled through before twisting the screen around to show a greyish blue knitted lace circle. “I haven’t done much yet. It’ll be a shawl eventually, but it’s the most complicated pattern I’ve attempted.”

  Over the course of their meal of various dishes, Motts told him about her conversation with Innis. Teo agreed with her that his comments on Danny and Noel were interesting. He did say they were continuing to investigate the small group of friends who’d hung around Rhona.

  “Why would he wear her scarf?”

  “Unrequited love?” Teo speared a piece of Komiška pogača. He’d described the dish as a savoury pie. It reminded Motts of a beautifully flavoured combination of a tomato pie and a salty onion focaccia. “Maybe he lost Rhona to Danny?”

  “She was a person, not a prize,” Motts muttered.

  “I agree.” He held up his hands in surrender. “It’s something we have to consider.”

  “Do you know what vehicles Noel owns or has access to?” Motts had come to the conclusion that her accident and the discovery of Rhona’s body had to be connected. “I don’t believe Rose attacked me.”

  “Aside from throwing a rock through your window? And possibly locking you in the shed?”

  Motts glared at him but had to laugh when he simply grinned. She liked the way he smiled at her. “Did she admit to locking me in the shed?”

  “No.”

  “There you go then.”

  “Yes, because criminals never lie to the police.” Teo waved his fork, sending a crumb flying. He laughed when Cactus tried to pounce immediately on the piece of pie. “Though, I agree with you. I don’t believe Rose did anything aside from breaking your window.”

  “So, who did run me over?”

  “I wish you’d stop saying it so casually.” His hand clenched around the fork. “But to answer your question, I’m not sure yet. We’re still trying to track down who stole the vehicle involved.”

  “Okay.” Motts let the subject go. She had a feeling Teo knew more but he couldn’t or wouldn’t share with her yet. “Want to visit the charity shop with me?”

  Teo set his fork down. “No. I’ll have Inspector Ash follow up with Noel. He knows him better. If I go, he’s already going to be on edge.”

  “I could—”

  “Stay away from anyone who might potentially have committed murder,” he said firmly.

  Motts wasn’t sold on Noel being the killer, but she saw the wisdom in not putting herself in danger. “I wasn’t trying to be around them when they ran me over.”

  “Try your best.” Teo set his plate on the coffee table. He moved around to sit next to her on the couch. “One thing I’ve learnt since this cold case landed on my desk is that quite a lot of people care about your well-being. And I include myself in that group. You matter.”

  Motts shifted uneasily on the sofa. She never knew how to handle emotional moments. “I promise to try not to run headfirst into any other vehicles.”

  Teo was surprised into a laugh. “Good enough.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Did you kiss?”

  Motts stared at Vina. Her best friend had come over early in the morning when she’d gotten back into town. She’d brought coffee and doughnuts, so Motts was prepared to forgive her for waking her. “I know it’s hard for you to grasp, but not everyone wants physical contact beyond holding hands and hugging.”

  “So, no snogs on the sofa with Cactus watching?” Vina dodged away from Motts, who swatted at her. “I’ll stop. I’m only teasing.”

  “Doubtful.” Motts grabbed another doughnut. “My parents haven’t called me since they left. Not even Dad.”

  “Maybe your uncle’s chat convinced them to give you time to settle?”

  “Maybe.” Motts hoped they hadn’t gotten their feelings hurt. She was torn between wanting space and not wanting to ruin her relationship with them. “I hope it’s something that simple.”

  Over their quick sugary breakfast, Vina told her all about her long weekend away with her girlfriend. Motts, in return, shared her intriguing chat with Innis. She hadn’t had much to say about her brief supper with Teo.

  “We could always have a sneaky chat with Noel at the charity shop.” Vina finished up the last dregs of her coffee. “It’s on my way to the café. Or, maybe we should see what Danny Orchard has to say about all of this. If they were all friends, he might have noticed his friend’s puppy love.”

  “And we know Danny isn’t a killer, so Teo can’t be upset.” Motts gathered up the remnants of their breakfast and put the dishes in the sink. She dropped the rubbish in the bin. “Can you feed Moss and Cactus while I change into something that isn’t pyjamas?”

  With her beloved pets taken care of, Motts dashed into her bedroom. She swapped her comfortable pyjamas for jeans and an oversized jumper. Vina was having a whispered conversation with Moss when she returned to the living room.

  “Stop chatting up my turtle.” Motts adjusted her jumper, pulling the sleeves down to where they covered her fingers almost completely. “I’ll follow you down to Danny’s.”

  “I do know how to drive, Mottsy,” Vina complained.

  “I’m aware, but you need to get to work, and I have errands to run.” Motts grabbed her helmet from the nearby side table. “Did you feed my babies?”

  “Of course.” Vina followed her out of the cottage. “Are you sure you don’t want to run by the charity shop?”

  With a shake of her head, Motts wheeled her scooter out. She didn’t want to approach Noel until she had a better understanding of what had happened before Rhona’s death. Innis clearly didn’t know, and neither did Rose, so the only other person she could ask was Danny.

  Following Vina in her car, Motts had a sinking suspicion Danny might be reticent to talk with them. She also had a feeling Teo wouldn’t approve of her continuing to investigate. Her curiosity kept her from simply letting it go.

  She couldn’t.

  Every time Motts thought about Rhona, her old school friend Jenny came to mind as well. She’d never gotten answers for Jenny. And her heart broke at the idea of the same thing happening once again.

  They barely parked before Danny came rushing out towards them. He grabbed them by the arms and dragged them around the corner out of the view of the shop. Vina exchanged a bewildered glance with Motts.

  “Danny?” Motts wrenched her arm out of his grasp. “What the devil is going on?”

  “I don’t want my granddad to see you. He doesn’t approve.” Danny pressed his lips together. He glared at the two of them. “You don’t want flowers.”

  “We might,” Vina retorted.

  “You don’t.” He gestured wildly, narrowly missing hitting her. “What do you want now?”

  “Can we ask you another question about Noel?” Motts drew back at the outraged light in his eyes. “Just one.”

  Danny shook his head and stormed off a few steps, muttering to himself. He breathed deeply several times before finally returning. “Ask your questions.”

  Motts stared at him. He exuded an intense, angry vibe that made her want to draw into her shell like Moss often did. “I….”

  “Did Noel fancy Rhona?” Vina asked when she realised Motts was struggling. “Was there a love triangle going on?”

  “No.” Danny peered beyond them. “She didn’t like him.”

  “She didn’t have to.” Motts listened to enough true crime podcasts to know women were frequently murdered in similar situations. “Did you ever see him acting jealous of your relationship?”

  “How would I know?” Danny kept glancing behind them towards the corner. “I’ve got to go. My granddad will be waiting for me. Why don’t you both mind your own business on this one, yeah?”

  Motts watched him stomp off away from them. She remembered her first confrontation with Danny’s grandfather. He’d
been angry about her digging in the garden. “I wonder if we’re questioning the wrong member of the Orchard family.”

  “Not sure any member of the family would be eager to talk to us.” Vina looped her arm around Motts and guided her down the pavement toward where they’d parked their vehicles. “His reaction to his grandfather seeing him answering questions about Rhona is odd.”

  “Suspicious.”

  “That too.” She pulled her keys out of her pocket. “Want to come hang out at the café?”

  Motts waved off the invitation with a smile. “I’ll visit you later.”

  Vina narrowed her eyes. “Mottsy.”

  “Yes?”

  “Be careful, alright?” She opened her mouth to say something but seemed to reconsider. “I’ll text you in the afternoon to see if you’re interested in having supper.”

  After watching Vina drive off, Motts considered her options. She knew trying to talk to either Danny or his grandfather would likely end up in a shouting match. At best. If the elder Orchard was involved, yelling might be the least of her problems.

  Riding her scooter back up the hill, Motts wandered into her cottage, lost in thought. She flopped on the couch and cuddled Cactus absently. In all the fuss, she’d actually forgotten about the elder Orchard.

  Could he have killed Rhona? Why? Motts honestly had no idea what would’ve driven him.

  Meow.

  “No, I don’t know why anyone would want to kill her.” She hefted Cactus up to curl up in the crook of her neck while she rested against the sofa cushion. “Murder makes no sense.”

  Cactus gave a more insistent meow, butting his head against her chin. Motts followed his gaze over to the bowl Vina had set out for him. She’d put some of his snacks instead of his food inside.

  “Did Auntie Vina give you the wrong food?” Motts dragged herself off the couch with Cactus still held in her arms. She grabbed the dish from the windowsill. “What a clever kitten you are.”

  The question of Rhona’s death continued to plague her mind throughout the day. They’d likely never know how she died unless the killer confessed. She knew Teo suspected poison, given the foxglove in the box.

  Dried flower petals in a buried tin in the garden didn’t really amount to a smoking gun. They could’ve been put there for sentimental reasons. And if they were the cause of Rhona’s death, how had she ingested them?

  “Was Danny’s grandfather trying to protect his grandson or their family name? Or did Innis kill his sister to keep the Salty Seaman from being sold?” Motts tapped her finger against the side of the bag of cat food while thinking. “Or did Noel harbour jealousy in his heart? If he couldn’t be with Rhona, then no one else could?”

  Cactus, unfortunately, didn’t have any answers for her. He tried his best. His purring was comforting, though.

  After an entire afternoon and evening considering, Motts text messaged Teo about the odd conversation with Danny. She also told him about the confrontation with the elder Mr Orchard right before Rhona had been found in the garden. He thanked her but sternly asked her to stay away from the family.

  And she intended to keep her distance.

  Motts spent her morning answering emails, starting two new flower bouquets for Marnie’s shop, and walking with Cactus in the garden. He enjoyed his forays outside. She watched him chasing after butterflies for a while.

  “Are you in the garden?”

  Motts immediately lifted Cactus into her arms. She went over to the garden gate and found a worried Constable Stone. “I am in the garden.”

  He smiled, though she thought his usually broad grin seemed strained. “Detective Inspector Herceg asked me to check in on you. He and Perry went to speak with Innis, but Rose claims not to know where he went. They decided to follow up with Danny and his granddad after your encounter. Mr Orchard threw a punch, so he’s been brought to Plymouth for questioning.”

  “He threw a punch? He’s in his seventies.” Motts rested her chin on Cactus’s head, allowing his purring to comfort her. “I thought he was grumpy but not violent.”

  Hughie shrugged. “DI Herceg wanted you to stay close to home until they’ve followed up with Innis.”

  “Is he the killer then?” Motts had put Innis on the bottom of her list of suspects. She didn’t honestly think him capable. Then again, they didn’t know how Rhona died; it might’ve been an accident. Innis was definitely capable of an act of impulsive violence. “Are they sure?”

  “You know I’d tell you if I could. They only want to talk to him.” Hughie reached out to rub Cactus’s ear. “You call me if you need anything at all, alright? Even if you think it’s a bother, you pick up the phone.”

  “I will,” Motts promised.

  “Right. I’m on my way to revisit the Salty Seaman. Rose might be more amenable to chatting with me. The inspectors are an intimidatingly solemn duo when they want to be.” He smiled at her. “Try not to worry too much.”

  Motts waved at him and watched him trot down the path to his vehicle. She carried Cactus inside and set him on the counter to get some water. “What do you think? Is it Innis or Mr Orchard?”

  Meow.

  “I don’t know either. I don’t want to believe it’s Innis, not after our conversation the other day.” She filled the kettle with water and turned it on. A cup of her favourite hot chocolate would be the perfect balm to her sudden onset of anxiety. She grabbed one of her many turtle mugs—this one had a baby sea turtle on one side with “it’s been a shell of a day” on the other. River had gotten it for her birthday a few years prior. “It’s going to be fine.”

  Meow.

  “Yes, I need to practise so I sound like I believe myself.” Motts tried not to stress about things she had no control over. She really did. “I’m going to be fine.”

  The more I say it, the less I believe it.

  Is that how positive affirmations are supposed to work?

  Probably not.

  Meow.

  “Yes, I hear the kettle whistling.” Motts poured the water into her mug and stirred the hot chocolate. “I’ll be fine. Fine finicky festers ferociously. Fine.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Midway through the day, Motts heard her phone beeping. She scrambled out of the spare room, trying to find her mobile. It wasn’t in her pockets or in the pockets of any of her hoodies and coats, and eventually she found it stuffed between the cushions of her sofa.

  Who is texting me?

  She didn’t immediately recognise the number. It didn’t belong to any of her friends or family. She sent a message back asking the person to identify themselves.

  Why is Danny Orchard texting me?

  In his message, Danny claimed to want to meet up with her. She wondered if his granddad’s arrest had given him the courage to speak. He wanted to meet in private to avoid anyone in the village knowing.

  Hughie had asked her to stay in the cottage. The coastal path was technically behind her cottage. And it definitely offered more privacy than arguing on the street outside the Orchard nursery.

  There was a long pause between her message and a reply. Danny agreed to meet up with her in an hour down the path. There was a small trail off The Warren leading down to the cliff and a Spy House lighthouse that tourists loved to photograph; Motts had walked it a few times herself.

  “Is this a bad idea?” Motts glanced up at Cactus, who sat on the back of the sofa, watching her pulling on her walking boots. “Hughie did say to stay home. But what if Danny wants to confess that his granddad murdered Rhona? I could solve the case.”

  Meow.

  “Alright, fine. I’ll send Teo a text.” Motts could’ve called him or Hughie, but the idea of talking on the phone only added more stress to the situation. “He might have some advice for what to ask Danny.”

  With her text sent, Motts decided to get a head start down the path. She enjoyed walking. The fresh air off the sea might help clear her mind.

  It didn’t.

  Her anxiety le
vels continued to rise. Maybe I should’ve waited to hear from Teo? She’d checked her phone every few seconds, but nothing. If he were interrogating Mr Orchard, perhaps he’d left his phone in the office.

  Any knowledge Motts had of police procedure came from podcasts and YouTube videos on true crime. She didn’t think they always got things right. Would Teo keep his phone on him while questioning someone?

  Checking her phone for the tenth time, Motts found a text from Danny saying he’d be a little late. Brilliant, more time to stress. She finally reached the lighthouse. The day had turned grey and blustery, so she had the viewing spot all to herself.

  She sat on one of the steps leading down beyond the lighthouse and tucked her hands into her pockets. Her fingers gripped the phone in her pocket. Heading home began to sound like an incredibly brilliant idea.

  Why did I agree to this?

  And why didn’t I put on my coat or a thick jumper instead of this hoodie?

  Motts pulled her mobile out of her pocket when it rang. She answered on the fourth ring. “Teo?”

  “What are you doing?” He sounded angry, but his voice kept cutting out.

  Motts walked up the steps a little way. “I can’t hear you. It’s really windy. What’s happened?”

  “Go… Orchard… almost there… hello?”

  Motts pulled her phone away from her ear when they were disconnected. She tried to call him back, but the signal wouldn’t go through. “Bugger.”

  Pacing back and forth for several minutes, Motts decided she’d made a massive mistake. Danny could come by her cottage if he wanted a chat. She shoved her phone into her pocket and turned to head home.

  “Noel.” She found herself not completely surprised to see him.

  “Hello.” Noel Watson stood on the steps above her. She hadn’t heard him approach with the wind coming off the sea. “Danny couldn’t make it. He lent me his phone.”

  “Oh?” Motts didn’t quite believe him and wondered if Danny had been hurt. She stumbled back down the steps until she was leaning against the lighthouse. “Why would he lend you his mobile? I don’t even like people touching mine.”