Beware the Orchids (A Shady Acres Mystery Book 1) (12 page)

22

I
chose not to wait for an update on Leroy and knocked on his door the next day about mid-morning. Alice had told me that the hospital had released him after a night of observation.

A very groggy Leroy opened the door and squinted against the sunlight. “Come in before you kill me.”

I stepped into an immaculate, sparsely furnished cottage. If not for a plate of half-eaten eggs and bacon on the dinette table, I’d wonder whether anyone lived there. “How are you feeling?”

He shrugged. “Like I was hit over the head.”

Pretending like I knew what that felt like, I nodded. “Did you happen to get a look at your attacker?”

“Not a peek. They came up behind me like a coward.” He picked up his plate and carried it to the sink. “This is why I avoid people.”

I glanced at his sofa, hoping he’d offer me a seat. He didn’t. “Do you meet many people on your nightly walks?”

“A few, why?” He faced me.

“We, Cheryl, Heath, and I, think you were targeted because someone was listening to our conversation. Alice was also attacked last night. We want to use this to our advantage. We want you to help us spread the word that I have some files in my possession, and have left copies with someone else, that gives the identity of the murderer.”

“You’re asking to be killed.” He crossed his long arms.

“I’m asking for this to all be over while I have backup. Cheryl leaves on Sunday.” I eyed the sofa again. “Helping us will take the bulls-eye off your back.”

“Hopefully, but not guaranteed. Very well, I’ll do it. There is little enough for me to do for entertainment.” He held the door open for me. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to rest now.”

“Thank you, Leroy.” I stepped outside and sighed. I didn’t know whether he would help or not, but I’d done my assignment for that morning. Now, with the lunch bell ringing, it was time for part two.

I met Cheryl and Heath at the door. Forming a united front, we stepped into the dining room, glanced around long enough for the residents to notice us, then headed for our usual table. Now that we had everyone’s attention, I whispered as loud as possible, “It’s taken care of. The files have been delivered.”

Cheryl giggled behind her hand. “This is all so James Bondish.”

I glared and shook my head, kicking her under the table. “If something happens to me, make sure You-Know-Who passes on the information.”

“This is ridiculous,” Heath said in a much lower whisper. “No one with half a mind will think you serious.”

“Then why do we have everyone’s attention?” I raised my eyebrows.

“Because you’re making a spectacle of yourself. A cute one, but…” He stood. “I’m getting my food.”

“He seems a bit out of sorts this morning.” Cheryl also left to get her lunch.

“What in the world are the three of you talking about?” Grandma sat next to me. “Everyone is buzzing about what happened to Leroy and Alice, now this.”

I quietly filled her in on our plan. “Make sure you tell Ted that this is just a ploy.”

“He won’t like it one bit.” Grandma tapped a manicured nail on the tabletop.

“I’m hoping he’ll stick close, but out of sight. I don’t want to get hit on the head or shoved into a closet.”

“I’ll do my best to get him to see the logic behind this crazy scheme of yours. Are you going snooping any time soon?”

“No, I have a tropical theme party to get ready for.” My stomach rumbled. I headed for the buffet.

“You found out something?” Birdie leaned close.

“Perhaps.” I gave her my most secretive smile.

“Well? Spill it. Who killed Maybelle?” Her voice rose.

“Shh.” I put a finger to my lips. “That’s not something I can discuss here.”

“You’re digging a six foot hole,” Heath hissed on his way past.

“What does he mean by that?” Birdie stretched to her full height which was a good two inches shorter than me. “Am I in danger?”

“If you persist on questioning me, you might be.” I used a pair of tongs to grab two slices of bacon for my BLT.

She skedaddled.

I finished making my sandwich, grabbed a fruit cup, and then rejoined the others at the table. “Mission accomplished.”

Heath, a muscle ticking in his jaw, shook his head. “I don’t think I can do this. It’s too dangerous. Look at you!” His gaze scanned me from head to toe. “Anyone could drape you over their shoulder and take off.”

“My petite stature has nothing to do with this.”

“It has a lot to do with it. I’m scared, Shelby.” He heaved a sigh and stared at his plate. “Cheryl, Ida, would you excuse us, please?”

They grabbed their plates and switched tables.

Heath turned and took both of my hands in his. His eyes pierced mine. “I haven’t known you long, Shelby Hart, but you mean a lot to me. The idea of you putting yourself in danger this way makes me crazy. I’m not afraid for myself, but I’m terrified of something happening to you.”

“You asked me to help clear your name.”

“Not by using yourself as bait.” He lowered his voice as it had started to rise.

I could only hope that the people watching us thought we were discussing the information we might possess and not having a lover’s spat. I wasn’t ready for that.

“Two weeks before I started working here, I stood in a church, ready to get married. The groom texted me and called it off. I broke my contract with the elementary school where I worked and applied here. I’m not ready for a relationship, Heath. I only want your friendship.” Tears stung my eyes.

“I’m not asking you to marry me.” He released my hands and ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t help how I feel any more than you can. Relationship or not, I’m still afraid of this crazy plan.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but had nothing to say other than I was sorry. That didn’t seem appropriate, so I focused on my lunch. “I’ll be careful,” I managed to get out.

“Yeah. Like Maybelle and Dave.” He got up and marched away.

Appetite gone, I shoved my plate away and put my face in my hands. Normally, I’d hide my emotions until I was alone, but I wanted people to see me, to wonder, to make assumptions. It was hard being in the public eye when my insides were being ripped apart.

When I thought enough time had passed where I wouldn’t run into Heath when I went back to work, I stood and carried both our plates to the side board. Ignoring the curious glances my way, I pushed open the double glass doors and made my way to the pool house where I had stashed the decorations for tomorrow night’s party. Cheryl and Grandma had promised to help, but I didn’t want to wait for them. I had too much on my mind to process through and needed some time alone.

I dragged out a box of blow up palm trees to the pool deck, then went back for leis I’d ordered, paper pineapple lanterns and tiki lamps. I’d make Shady Acres look as much like the tropics as I could.

With my arm full, I turned. Heath took the box from me and set it on the ground before cupping my face with his hands. “I’m sorry.” He leaned his forehead against mine. “I don’t have the right to make demands on you or tell you what to do.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist. “It feels nice to have someone care. I behaved badly.”

“Will you let me help you decorate?”

“Will Alice let you?”

“Forget about her.” He ran his hands down my arms and gave me a crooked smile. “You and I are only friends, right?”

“Right.” I returned his smile. I was truly blessed to have such a friend.

“Oh, goody, you made up.” Grandma clapped her hands. “So sweet. Now, what do you want me to do?”

I laughed and pulled out of Heath’s embrace. “There are tablecloths in here. Heath will set up the folding tables. If you can use the clips in there to make sure the cloths stay in place, that would be awesome. Cheryl, I’ll need your help stringing the paper pineapples.”

“Gotcha!” She grabbed the needed box and set to work.

Soon, the four of us worked like ants to transform the pool area into a tropical paradise. Several residents tried to peek in on our progress, but we ran them off. It would be better if the decorations were a surprise.

“This is looking very nice.” Alice locked the gate behind her. “You were a true find as an employee, Shelby. Not only are the grounds shaping up, but the residents have only good things to say about your social get togethers.”

“That’s great news. I try.” I turned away as she approached Heath. Regardless of his growing feelings for me, Alice wanted a relationship. It was better that he focus on her.

“I bought a new swimsuit for tomorrow,” she cooed. “The top is made with artificial coconuts.”

Cheryl made gagging motions behind her.

I stifled a laugh. I’d chosen a tropical dress rather than a suit. Not planning on going in the water, I’d be less self-conscious.

“That’s nice.” Heath lifted a box of paper dishes and set it on one of the tables. “Are you here to help? Because these could be organized.”

“Oh, no. I have plenty of work to do. Y’all have fun.” She caressed his cheek and left.

“Brazen hussy,” Grandma said under her breath.

This time I did laugh. There was nothing like dear Grandma speaking her mind to cheer me up.

“You ought to make her stop drooling over your man.”

“He isn’t my man, Grandma. I’m not ready.”

“Oh, pooh. Donald was nothing more than a trial run that went bad. He was a rusty old Chevy. Heath is a Mercedes.”

“Don’t push.”

“I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy. I have a great job, you live close by, I see Mom on a regular basis, and I’m making the world these people live in a prettier place. What more could I ask for?” I set a champagne fountain in the center of the table designated for drinks.

“You need a man who cherishes you.”

I glanced to where Heath helped Cheryl secure the string of lanterns. “I may have that already in the very capacity I can handle.”

Although I knew he couldn’t hear me, it was as if he felt my gaze. Heath turned and gave me a wink. Everything wrong with the world melted away until Grandma spoke again.

“Don’t go anywhere without Cheryl or Heath. Not after your little charade in the dining room. It was bad enough when I was shoved into the tool shed. We all know you won’t be able to keep your mouth shut long enough not to be killed for your smart mouth.” She patted my shoulder and left the pool area, obviously finished helping.

I frowned. Of course I knew when to stop talking. If a person told me to shut up or they’d kill me, you could be darn toot’n I was going to be quiet.

“Psst.”

I searched the bushes behind me.

Birdie peered through the Rhododendrons. She waved me over. “I’ve done what you wanted. I told everyone within hearing distance that you knew who the killer was and would be talking to the police as soon as possible.”

My blood ran cold. “That isn’t exactly what I said to you. Birdie, I don’t know anything.” Lord have mercy, I’d be dead before our pool party tomorrow.

“That’s exactly what you said.”

“It’s all a ruse to draw the killer out.” I wanted to strangle her myself. “Not only have you put me in dire danger, but yourself.”

“Not me. I’m leaving for a few days and staying in a hotel.” She let the branches fall back into place, calling out, “Good luck!”

23

T
he plan we’d concocted to catch a killer seemed a bust. It had been almost twenty-four hours and no one had been confronted, abducted, or almost killed. Despite the crazy idea having originated in my mind, I was relieved.

I smoothed the skirt of my tropical sundress, slid my feet into sandals sporting a huge flower on top of them, and stuck a silk hibiscus in my hair. I was ready for some tropical fun. I grabbed a wicker handbag big enough to stuff a medium sized dog into and joined Cheryl in the living room.

My eyes widened and I laughed harder than I had in days. She wore a green grass skirt that fell to her knees and the largest coconuts on her chest that man could make.

“Do you like?” She twirled, revealing bright yellow shorts underneath the skirt. “If Alice can dress like this, why can’t I? I have a lot more curves.” She flashed a grin. “I just wish there were some men my age attending this shindig.”

“Find yourself a rich sugar daddy and live the rest of your life with no worries.”

“Let’s survive until tomorrow first. What’s the giant bag for?”

“Door prizes. I have one of those hula girls that dance on a car’s dashboard, a bobble head doll, a coconut bird feeder, and some mango flavored Moscato as the big prize.” I spotted the slip of paper with the numbers I’d once thought was a lock combination. I slipped it into my bag. Maybe Alice knew what they were.

Wait a minute. I pulled the paper back out again. “Cheryl, do you remember that code we used to use to write notes to each other in class?”

“Yeah? The one with the letters of the alphabet actually being the letter of the one after it?”

“I think that’s what this is.” I showed her the numbers.

She grabbed a pencil from the table and the back of an envelope. Seconds later, she’d decoded the message. “Weasley is Weston. Then the letters wp. What do those stand for?”

“Witness Protection! I saw it in a movie once. What would Weasley need protection from?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to take my laptop to the party.” She grabbed it from her room. “Let’s go find this murderer.” She fixed me with a stern look. “I might look tough, but I’m really that little girl who’s afraid of thunder. We don’t get separated, understand?”

“I agree.” I forced a smile. Tonight was the night. If Harry didn’t come to us, we’d go to him.

Side-by-side, like mismatched bookends, we marched to the pool. The party wasn’t scheduled to start for another hour, but we arrived early so I could make sure everything was as it should be. The wind had participated the night before, for the most part, and I decided to leave the few silk flowers that had blown into the pool there to drift among the floating lights.

Melodramatic or not, this might be my last night on earth. I wanted it to be special. I slid my giant purse under a table, found a spot for Cheryl to sit and search the internet, then greeted Heath, resplendent in a grass skirt of his own, with a smile. He’d chosen to go shirtless and took my breath away with his six pack abs and muscular arms.

I grabbed a silk lei and draped it over his neck. “Aloha.” I planted a quick kiss on his lips. “You look gorgeous.”

He laughed. “I don’t hold a candle to you, my tropical princess.”

I took his hand and pulled him to the side. “We figured out what the numbers mean. The ones we thought were a combination. Harry Weasley is really Harvey Weston, and he’s in the witness protection program. Cheryl is researching him now.”

“That’s awesome. How did you figure it out?”

I explained the code Cheryl and I had used as children. “It’s very simple and effective. Most people might not think of it.”

“You’re a smart girl. What do you need me to do to help prepare for the guests?”

“More chairs, I think. There are some in the pool area. Maybe another table or two. I think all the residents are coming.”

As the sun began to set, residents started trickling into the pool area, filling the air with chatter, oohs, and ahs. My decorations were a hit. With my cheeks sore from grinning, I welcomed each and every person who came through the gate. Everyone except Harry, err Harvey. He was a no show.

Cheryl grabbed my arm and pulled me behind a blow up palm tree. “He’s an accountant for one of the biggest mobs in the country. Or he was, anyway. He turned on them, putting several big wigs behind bars. I bet Maybelle found out and he killed her. Then, Dave found Maybelle’s information when he was stealing from her, and he was killed.”

“Very astute.” Something hard rammed me in the ribcage. “Now, without turning around, walk out the gate and meet me on the flagstone walk. If you don’t, that sweet little grandmother of yours gets shot. I have her in my sights as we speak.”

I glanced to where Grandma entered on Officer Lawrence’s arm. I did my best to pretend nothing was amiss and slipped my hand in Cheryl’s. Together, we waltzed out the gate as if we were on a Sunday stroll.

Harvey showed his gun the moment we stepped into sight. Without saying another word, he motioned for us to walk ahead of him.

“Where are we going?” I started to glance over my shoulder and received another jab with his gun for my trouble.

“The lake. So sad, really. They’ll find the two of you floating with the fishies.”

“What excuse are you going to give? Why leave the pool party, which I’m in charge of, to swim in the dirty lake?” He really needed a better plan.

“I’ll think of something. Maybe I’ll tie you up in the boat house and set it on fire. Yeah, I like that idea better. No more talking or I’ll shoot you right here.”

Drowning might be less painful. There had to be a way out of our situation. I wish Heath hadn’t been in the pool house when we left. He would have known right away something was wrong.

“Stay.” Harvey barked the command as if he were speaking to a couple of dogs. He unlocked a shiny new padlock from the boat house door and ushered us inside. “Sit on the floor. Hey, coconut girl, you first.”

Cheryl glared at him and plopped down, her grass shirt flaring around her. “You’re an evil man.”

“I’ve been called worse. Miss Hart?”

I exhaled sharply and sat with my back against Cheryl. “So, were we correct in our assumptions as to why you killed Maybelle? I mean, if you’re going to kill us, you might as well answer our questions.”

“Do you realize how cliché that is, Miss Hart?” He dug around on a rough wood counter, finally locating a long length of boating rope. He wrapped the rope around and around us until breathing became difficult. “I suppose it doesn’t hurt. You’ve already figured out who I really am. My original target wasn’t Maybelle. No one would have believed that crazy old woman anyway. No, I was after Alice.” He said it as if killing the wrong woman was the saddest thing ever.

“The rat poison was left in Alice’s water bottle. Maybelle, the sticky fingered woman, stole the bottle and drank.”

“But the box was next to Maybelle. Her gums were swollen. Was she wearing her own teeth?”

“The box of poison was already in the greenhouse. I didn’t put it there, but I didn’t move it either. It worked out quite well except for the fact that Alice, the cop’s niece, is still walking free and trying to discover who I really am.” He scowled. “How do I know whose teeth was in that crazy broad’s mouth?”

“But…Maybelle’s shoulders had bruises. Like someone held her down.”

“I don’t know anything about that. She probably hurt herself crawling into a tight space.”

I needed to try another tactic to keep him talking. “Alice knows everything.”

“I doubt it.” He leaned close to my face. “Who is your constant companion? Who would you have told your secrets to? Miss Coconut here. Take the both of you out, and voila! I’ve closed the mouths of those knowing the truth.”

How did he miss my friendship with Heath? Or the time I spent with Grandma? I was grateful he had, but the man really wasn’t as smart as he thought he was.

“You two sit tight. I’ll be back later to set the night on fire. Can’t do it while everyone is awake, now can I? They’ll come rushing to your rescue and ruin everything. I’ll tell the guests that the big gal got food poisoning and the sweet Miss Hart took her to Urgent Care.” He slipped out the door and locked us in, covering us with darkness.

“Do you think anyone will hear us if we scream?” Cheryl asked.

“No. We’re too far away.” Tears clogged my throat. “Just when I was thinking how stupid he was to think you were the only person I told, he came up with the brilliant idea of food poisoning. Anyone who knows you will believe that you ate something you shouldn’t.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You like to eat.”

“We’re about to die a horrible death and you’re making fun of me.”

“No, I’m not.” I struggled against the rope. “I’m only saying how the story makes sense.”

“Fine.” She sagged. “It’s true. I love food.”

“Can you see anything?”

“Just a sliver of light through a crack in the door.”

“That’s good. We know where the door is. Before he locked us in, did you see anything that might cut this nylon rope?”

“No. Before we die, I want you to know how much I love you and what a true friend you’ve been all these years.”

“I love you, too. We aren’t going to die.” Not if I had something to say about it. “Think, Cheryl. We have two hours to figure out how to get free. The party will be over then, and we’ll burn.”

“Right. Let’s scoot my direction.”

She ended up pulling me more than I participated in the scooting. When we came up against several crates we had no hope of opening, we moved in the opposite direction. I’d bet my favorite rain boots there was something sharp on top of the counter. Reaching it was the problem.

“Brace our backs against each other. Maybe we can push to our feet,” I said.

“Good idea.” Cheryl shoved so hard, I stumbled forward, almost taking us both down.

“Careful. Remember, how much bigger you are.”

“Right. I need to remember how delicate you are.”

I then remembered that, although we were best friends and loved each other immensely, we often snapped during times of stress and could come at each other like rabid dogs. I decided to remain kind and take a gentle approach. “It’s all right. We’ll do better next time.”

“Don’t talk to me as if I’m a third grader, Shelby!”

“I’m not. I’m trying to stay nice!”

“Don’t yell at me!”

“I’m not!” By this time we were on our feet tugging and pulling against each other. “Hey, we did it.”

“We’re quite the team.”

We hobbled to the workbench. “I can’t see anything. Since you’re taller, see if you can feel around the counter top,” I told her.

“It’s going to hurt when the rope pulls against you.”

“That’s okay. I can deal with pain if it gets us out of here.” I sniffed. “Do you smell that?”

“He’s early!” Cheryl yanked against me.

My feet slid from underneath me, and we crashed to the floor. Smoke seeped through every crack and crevice in the boat house walls. There was no honor from murderers.