by Thea Cambert
“Let me think,” said Granny. “Well, I know Virginia also dated Watson, because he’d just broken up with her when your dad started taking her out. I think he was trying to be cool like the other boys.”
“What about Norman? Did Virginia date Norman, too?”
“I honestly don’t know,” said Granny.
“Granny, can you hand me my phone? I need to call Marge right away. She’ll remember.”
“Of course,” said Granny, grabbing the phone from the bedside table and taking another swig of ginger ale as Alice dialed.
Marge answered after a few rings. “This is the Waxy Wick. How can I help you today?”
“Marge, it’s Alice.”
“Alice! Feeling any better? We were worried about you when you left the fair earlier. Hope you don’t have the stomach bug!”
“Actually, I hope that’s all that’s wrong with me,” said Alice. “Listen, Marge. I need you to think back to your high school days again. Did Virginia ever date Norman or Watson?”
There was a pause. “Well, I know she was nuts about Watson, but he broke it off with her right before she had a few dates with your dad.”
“Right . . . And Norman?”
Another pause. “No . . . I don’t think they dated. Not in high school, that is.”
“What do you mean? They dated later?”
“Yes. When Norman moved back to town, just a few years back—before he started courting Pearl Ann.”
“Thank you, Marge,” said Alice.
“No problem, Alice. Feel better! And remember Koi and I are right across the street if you need anything.”
Alice thanked Marge again and hung up. She looked at her grandmother. “It’s Virginia Swanson.”
“Are you sure?”
“It all makes sense, Granny. Virginia dated—and was jilted by—all three of those men.”
“But what about Stanley?”
“I think she gave those flowers to Stanley to deliver to Norman, and then when Stanley sniffed them and got sick, she realized that technique wouldn’t work and tried a new method.”
“So poor Stanley was just an accident?”
“Yep. And those gift cards! Norman, Watson, and Dad all ate salads at the Salad Stop. I’ll bet she put something on or in the salads that made them sick!” Alice felt her own heart pounding. “And Granny, I ate a salad from there today. Virginia knew I was snooping around, and now I’ve been poisoned too!” Alice looked at her phone, contemplating whether or not to call 911.
“Now, wait a minute, dear girl,” said Granny. “Take a sip of that ginger ale and listen to me.”
Alice did as Granny told her and took a deep breath.
“Was Virginia the one who served you your salad today?”
Alice paused. “No. She was doing the workshop about edible flowers on Trillium Street.”
“And have lots of other people who’ve eaten salads at the café gotten sick?”
“No . . . Just the three men.”
“Then if it’s really true that Virginia is the poisoner, I don’t think she poisoned you. Tell me about your symptoms.”
Alice described how she felt to her grandmother. Granny laid a hand on Alice’s forehead. Then she smiled.
“Granny, why are you smiling?”
“Because you haven’t been poisoned.”
“So it is the stomach bug, then,” said Alice, a wave of relief washing over her.
“We’ll see.”
Alice heard the apartment door open, and smiled, hearing Luke’s hello.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, stepping into the bedroom.
“I’ll live,” Alice smiled.
“I’ve been so worried. Thanks for staying with her, Granny.”
“Luke, it’s Virginia Swanson. I’m almost sure of it,” said Alice.
“Virginia—” Luke sat down on the edge of the bed and petted the wagging Finn.
“She was at the Community Center. She dispensed the messages—so she could’ve sent as many anonymous love notes as she wanted without anyone knowing it was her. And she made salads for all three victims.”
“So, Stanley—”
“Stanley was just an unfortunate bystander. Those flowers were meant for Norman. I just know it.”
“He was definitely on Cupid’s list. Hey—I brought you some good news. Stanley is starting to come around. He’s going to be okay.”
“That’s wonderful!” said Alice. “Does he remember who the flowers were meant for?”
“He’s not really talking yet, but I’ll find out. Meanwhile, I’ll get Ben and we’ll go and take Virginia Swanson in for questioning. You may be on to something here, Alice.”
“Good.” Alice fell back into the pillows, causing Poppy to have to readjust herself. “I need to get up. I have things to do for the fair this evening.”
“You just take it easy,” said Luke. “I gave Owen and Franny your giant binder with all of your checklists in it. They’re out there right now, taking care of everything.”
“But Luke—the vow renewal is tonight. We’re renewing our vows.”
Luke bent to kiss Alice’s forehead. “That’s not until midnight. Until then, you just snuggle up and take it easy. You still look a little pale. We’ll see how you feel later. Okay?”
Alice nodded. “I’m sure I’ll be fine by midnight.” She sighed. “And it would feel good to rest a little longer. I’ve been overdoing it a lot lately.”
“Don’t worry about a thing, Luke,” said Granny, who had gone into the living room and picked out a thick, hardcover book from the shelf. “I think I’ll just stay here and read a while. Maybe even go out and sit in the garden for a bit.” She smiled at Alice. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”
“Thanks, Granny,” said Luke. He looked at Alice. “I love you. I’ll be back soon.”
“I love you, too,” said Alice, smiling and letting her eyes close.
Chapter 17
Alice awoke suddenly after hearing her front door close softly. “Granny? Luke?” The place seemed oddly quiet. Maybe someone had just left? “Owen?”
There was no answer, but as Alice groggily sat up in bed, she saw a shadow fall across the doorway. And the shadow was followed by a stony-faced Virginia Swanson.
“Virginia?” Alice looked around in confusion. It was dark outside, except for the garden twinkle lights and the lights coming from Main Street. “The Paper Owl is closed. What are you doing here?” But deep down, Alice already knew.
“Why couldn’t you just leave it alone, Alice?” Virginia leaned on the doorframe, hands clasped behind her back.
“So it was you, then,” said Alice quietly.
Virginia sneered. “So it was you then,” she said in a mock-Alice voice. “It must be nice, being married to Detective Perfect. Living here, and in your cute little house on the lake.”
“Well, yes . . .” Alice looked around for a weapon. There was a heavy lamp on the bedside table. She could use that if she needed to. Where was Finn?
“I’ll ask you again!” Now Virginia was raising her voice, although thankfully, she hadn’t come any closer. “Why couldn’t you just leave it alone? You’re a big fan of justice, aren’t you?” she spat. “Well, so am I. And they all deserved it! Careless, stupid boys!”
“They broke your heart, didn’t they?” Alice said, hoping to buy some time.
“They stomped on it. First Watson, then Martin, then Norman. The Broken Hearts Club strikes again!” Virginia shook her head angrily. “I did what I did for all of us—for all the broken hearts, for all the girls they used and tossed aside like it didn’t even matter.”
“What about Stanley? Did he deserve to be poisoned?”
Virginia looked at the floor. “Stanley did not. That was unfortunate. I messed up—putting the poison in the flowers.” She whipped a bouquet of flowers out from behind her back.
“Oh,” said Alice, feeling her heart pound as Virginia walked closer to the bed. “Those are . . . wild
flowers.”
“From my farm, yes.”
“Are those,” Alice swallowed hard, “edible?”
“Oh no, not these,” said Virginia, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “See the azaleas in there? Those will make you sick if you eat them. Even sicker if you eat the honey the bees make from them.” Now she was next to the bed. “But they smell so sweet. Here, Alice. Have a whiff.”
Suddenly the French doors that led out into the garden swung open and Finn came running in, barking furiously.
“Stupid dog!” Virginia turned on Finn and held the flowers down near his face.
“No!” screamed Alice, lunging forward—but she wasn’t as quick as Granny.
As Virginia bent toward Finn, Granny raised the huge, hardbound book she was holding and brought it down on Virginia’s head, hard. Virginia fell to the floor. Alice jumped out of bed and scooped up the flowers, holding her breath as she carried them outside.
“Pretty sure there’s rat poison in these,” she whispered.
Then she ran back inside and knelt on the floor next to Finn, who joyfully wagged his tail and licked Alice in the face.
“Thank goodness for Finn here,” said Granny, taking out her phone. “He knew something was off. I’d fallen asleep in one of those comfortable chairs, and he woke me up, growling. We looked into your bedroom window and saw what was happening.”
Alice stood and hugged Granny. “Thank you, Granny.” Then she started to sob.
“Alice, dearest, you’re fine. Everything’s okay. Now let me call the police before this awful woman comes around.”
“This is the longest night ever,” said Alice at ten o’clock that night. She was sitting in her favorite Adirondack chair, right next to Luke, who had finally returned along with Ben from the station after booking Virginia, and had sat down with a relieved sigh. Franny brought the baby monitor out into the garden and took her seat next to Ben, and Owen and Michael filled the other two chairs.
“You’ve been highly productive today for someone who wasn’t feeling well,” said Luke with a chuckle.
“Truth,” said Owen with a snort. “I mean, who nabs an evil poisoner while they’re supposed to be taking a nap?” He looked from Luke to Ben. “So Virginia’s behind bars where she belongs?”
“She is,” said Ben. “She confessed to everything.”
“And great news,” said Luke. “Stanley finally woke up. He’s going to be just fine.”
“That’s fantastic!” said Alice, who was finally feeling like herself again.
“He told us Virginia had given him those flowers and instructed him to deliver them along with Norman’s love note. You were exactly right about that, Alice.”
“And how did she manage to poison the other three men? By feeding them azaleas in their salads?”
“Nope. But close,” said Ben. “Get this: It was in the dressing she put on their Chef’s Specials.”
Alice felt her stomach turn. “But that’s what I had for lunch today.”
“Don’t worry,” said Luke, placing a hand on top of Alice’s. “Virginia had whipped up a special batch of dressing, and she only served it to her three intended victims—the Broken Hearts Club.”
Alice felt her shoulders relax. “Oh. Good.”
“Wait till you hear how she poisoned the dressing,” said Ben. “She used honey from her own hives in it—honey she normally never uses at the café.”
“I have a feeling I know why she doesn’t use her own honey,” said Alice. “But go on.”
“Virginia was learning to tend bees and harvest honey. She wanted to use it in her restaurant, like she uses her own homegrown produce. But when a local beekeeper went out to teach her how to harvest the honey, he told her she couldn’t use hers, because her bees have been pollinating a huge number of azalea bushes.”
“Azaleas are poisonous,” said Michael.
“Exactly,” said Ben. “But not as poisonous as the honey produced from their pollen.”
“The Romans used to call it mad honey,” said Luke. “It can actually be deadly, but usually just makes people sick. The symptoms can range from blurred vision to heart palpitations to seizures.”
“Point being, Virginia did try to poison the three men. But she didn’t intend to kill them. She thought a little rat poisoning in bouquets from an anonymous admirer would work, but when she saw what happened to Stanley, she tried a different approach. She remembered her honey—which she knew would make people sick. So, she gave the love note recipients gift cards for free salads, and when the three she had the vendetta against came in, she switched out the dressings. Norman got the sickest. Watson was in great shape, so he handled it a little better. And Martin, luckily, had the stomach bug—so he didn’t absorb much of the honey before throwing it all up.”
“Who knew a stomach bug could be a blessing?” said Owen.
“And they’re all doing well?” asked Alice.
“Yep,” said Ben. “Norman, Watson, and Dad are all back home, taking it easy. And Doc says Stanley will be going home soon too.”
“Meanwhile, poor Abner Vordenbaum,” said Franny, shaking her head.
“Why? What do you mean?” asked Alice.
“He finally got up the nerve to send Virginia a secret admirer note. And now she’s in jail.”
“So, she could’ve maybe had real love in her life,” said Alice. “What a waste.”
Owen yawned. “It’s only ten thirty. How are we all going to stay up until midnight for the vow renewal ceremony if we’re already beat?”
“I know!” said Franny. “Let’s watch an exciting movie. Something sure to keep us awake. I’ll go check on Theo. You pick a movie, Owen.”
“Great idea!” said Owen, getting up and going into Alice’s apartment—where they always watched their movies because she had the most comfortable couches. “Anything to stay awake until midnight!”
Chapter 18
Alice awoke to the sound of birds singing and the wonderful feeling of a warm breeze moving her hair around. She opened her eyes, yawned, and stretched, setting aside the cozy quilt that had been laid over her.
She looked around, feeling a sense of peace and contentment—until the confusion struck. She had fallen asleep on the couch? What happened? What day was it? There was a soft tapping at the front door, and Franny came in.
“Oh, no—did I wake you?”
“No, I just woke up,” said Alice. “But what’s going on here? It is clearly not Saturday night anymore.”
“Nope,” said Franny, coming and joining Alice on the couch, a little smile on her face. “It’s Sunday morning.”
“Oh, no! I slept all night? I missed the big event last night?”
“So did Ben and I,” said Franny. “Apparently we all fell asleep on your ridiculously comfortable couches.”
Just then, Luke came in from the garden. “Ah, I see Sleeping Beauty has awakened,” he said, smiling at his wife.
“Luke, we didn’t renew our vows!”
“Don’t worry,” he said, bending to kiss her on the top of her head. “We can renew them anytime you’d like.”
“So, you fell asleep last night too?” Alice asked.
“I did—during the movie. Owen shouldn’t have picked The Epic Journey of Friar Tuck. That movie would knock most people out on a good day.”
“Ben and I woke up around three in the morning, when we heard Theo stirring through the baby monitor. We dragged ourselves home and went to bed.”
“What about Owen and Michael?”
“They might’ve made it to the ceremony—although they were, of course, the only ones of us who weren’t renewing any vows.” Luke went into the bedroom and came out tucking his wallet into his pocket. “I’ll run down to Sourdough and buy us some of Owen’s sin-amon rolls. I’ll ask him about it.”
After Luke left, Franny turned to Alice, still smiling.
“Okay,” said Alice. “Out with it. What are you grinning about? And what’s in the bag?” Al
ice pointed at the small brown paper bag Franny had brought with her.
“Granny and Chester stopped in down at Joe’s earlier this morning,” said Franny. “I had a very interesting chat with her about your, uh, illness.”
“My—what? Because I was under the weather yesterday? Franny, I feel perfectly fine today. I was just tired.”
“Maybe,” said Franny. “But indulge me this once.” She held up the bag and stood. “We’re going to the bathroom.”
A few minutes later, Luke returned to the apartment with a bakery box in his hands. “Hey, Alice!” he called. “I brought a few extra people with me!”
Alice and Franny came out of the bedroom to find Ben—carrying Theo—and Owen and Michael walking in behind Luke.
“Well, good morning, Sunshine,” said Owen, joining Alice and Franny. “We’re all taking the day off. We’re going to sit out in the garden and stuff ourselves with sin-amon rolls, then head over to the lake for an afternoon of basking in the sun. How does that sound?”
“Perfect,” said Alice, her cheeks feeling warm. She knew that meant she was blushing, but she couldn’t help it. She glanced at Michael’s t-shirt, which was white with the words I Do written across the chest. “How cute is that?” she said, just as Theo, who Ben had set on the floor, suddenly went from a squatting to a standing position and took one tentative step on his own. “Theo! You walked! You’re walking!”
“His first step!” cried Owen. “Michael, get the camera!”
Everyone gathered around the confused Theo, who promptly plopped onto the floor and crawled toward the doors that led to the garden.
“Our baby is growing up,” said Franny with a sniff. “Ben, he’s truly mobile now. We have to babyproof everything!”
“We will,” said Ben. “First thing tomorrow. But it’s a gorgeous day.” He elbowed Alice. “We may have to break out the paddle boat this afternoon.”
He scooped up Theo and they and Luke, along with Michael, proceeded to move out to the rooftop garden, leaving Alice, Owen, and Franny inside.
“Actually, I’m glad to have a moment alone with you two,” said Owen. “Because I have some good news.”