Beware the Orchids (A Shady Acres Mystery Book 1) (3 page)

4

S
ince I woke up the next morning, the apple must not have been laced with poison. I still had my teeth, the sun was shining, and I was officially on the job.

I dressed in a cute little dress that fluttered around my knees when I walked, a pair of matching rain boots, in case I trudged through the dirt. I had the cute little rubber boots in almost every color and style. A splurge I’d made when taking the new job. I locked my cottage in preparation of heading to the dining room for breakfast and waved at Grandma as she exited her cottage a few doors down.

“How did you sleep, love?” She gave me a kiss and linked her arm with mine. “That’s a lovely dress, but the boots just don’t work.”

“I’m a gardener, Grandma. They work just fine.”

“You have the strangest fashion sense, but I love you anyway.”

I eyed her leopard print leggings and oversized black blouse. To each their own, I always said.

“The crime scene tape is still up on the greenhouse,” Grandma said. “I went by there, hoping to get a peek, but even I know stepping inside while the tape is there would be a crime.”

I could only pray the flowers wouldn’t die before I could tend to them. “Would you like to be the Bingo caller at tonight’s game? I’m giving away some of the things Donald gave me as prizes.”

“The necklace with the lion’s head?”

“Yes.” I’d always thought the large necklace hideous.

“Then, no. I prefer to win the necklace.”

“If you want it that bad, you can have it. I’ve other things to give away.” Actually, the necklace would fit her gaudy style very well.

“Okay. I’ll be the caller. What fun! That’ll put me front and center where everyone will wonder who the new gal in town is. I’m sure to catch a beau.” She patted my hand and pulled away. “I won’t be sitting with you this morning. I need to mingle.” With that, she clomped away and pushed open both double doors, making a grand sweeping entrance. I’d always thought Grandma belonged in old-age Hollywood. She had the glamour.

“Good morning.” Heath’s deep voice washed over me.

I smiled. “Good morning.”

“Ready for your first day?”

“I am, although there isn’t a lot to do with the greenhouse out of commission. Still, I can do some trimming before tonight’s activities.”

“There will be plenty to keep you busy. Once all the residents find out you’ve been hired, you’ll be swarmed with ideas from hopefuls. They’ll all want their party idea to be the one chosen.”

Maybe she could set up a suggestion box. That way, she wouldn’t have to deal with all the people chasing her down. She could draw a few suggestions each month and keep it all non-personal.

Heath opened the door for her and let her enter first. The aroma of pancakes and bacon greeted her along with the sounds of silverware clanking, laughter, and the occasional belch.

“That would be Harold Ball. He prides himself on being the best belcher in Shady Acres.” Heath pointed to a pudgy, bald man.

Every time the man belched, Grandma giggled. Good grief.

I followed Heath to the buffet, filling a plate with biscuits and gravy, then took a seat at the employee table with Heath, Alice, and a few people I didn’t know.

“These are two of our house cleaning staff,” Alice said, pointing to the two young women. “The blond is Amber and the brunette Becky. They’ve been tending the herb garden until we hired you.”

An herb garden? Heath was right. I’d have more than enough work to keep me busy. “An herb garden, the grounds, activities, and the greenhouse. Is there anything else I need to add to my list?”

Alice tapped a manicured nail against her teeth. “Did you not read the papers I gave you?”

“Not all of them.” The stack was two inches thick. It would take more than one night to get through it all. Especially when the prior evening was taken up with a death. “I’ll make that a priority.”

She nodded. “Everything set for Bingo?”

“Yes. I even have prizes.”

“Wonderful! We’ve never had those before. I’ll put the word out. We’ll have a full house. The games and activities are all held in this room. We have a portable stage we use to put the caller up high.”

“My grandmother has volunteered.” I cut into a biscuit.

“That’s fine, but don’t play favorites. You’ll need to include other residents on occasion.”

Every time the woman spoke, I felt as if I were being scolded. I’d do my job well, and I’d do it my way. I’d signed a year contract. If she didn’t like the way I did things, she could say so at the end of that time.

Birdie waved at me from across the room. I excused myself and rushed to her side.

She pulled me into the small hallway that led to the restrooms. “Did you find out anything?”

“I haven’t had time.”

She frowned. “Oh. I thought you might make solving the crime a priority.”

“We don’t know that there was a crime.” I felt like a broken record. “And my priority is my job.”

“I’m telling you there is a crime. Someone wanted Maybelle dead and put poison on her dentures.” Birdie stomped her foot. “The longer you take, the more likely someone else will die.”

“Shouldn’t we let the police handle things? They’re much more qualified than I am.”

“But you have an in. You can mingle here and no one will suspect a thing.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’m counting on you.” She whirled and barged through the restroom door.

Resigned to yet another task on my to-do list, I told myself I’d see whether I could find out anything at Bingo.

~

“Speak clearly and concisely, Grandma.” I handed her the laminated sheet of rules. “Read this out loud before we start the game.” I turned and glanced at a packed room. A lot of people wanted to win the feather earrings, one hundred dollars, and a crystal vase I’d brought. Not to mention smaller dollar amount prizes.

“I’m perfectly capable of calling out numbers, Shelby. I graduated high school a long time ago, but I haven’t forgotten.” Grandma rolled her eyes and read the rules. “When you call Bingo, wave your arms and shout Bingo!”

One little old lady near the portable stage jumped in her seat and clasped a hand over her heart. I put a hand on her shoulder to calm her. “Perhaps you’d be better off further away?”

“No, dear. I want to be able to hear. I just wasn’t expecting her to be so…loud.”

I grinned and started to mingle. Not only to eavesdrop, but to make sure everyone’s needs were met.

“O 72!” Grandma sang the number as if she were on a Broadway stage.

“Oh, she’s a riot!” One of the residents daubed her paper with a flourish.

I chuckled and continued my rounds. Heath, obviously roped into service by Alice, manned a popcorn machine. I returned his smile and wave and leaned against a table after hearing one of the players mention Maybelle’s name.

“She was a loon.” One old man said. “Always getting into tight spots. One time, I caught her in my bathroom. She’d gotten confused as to which cottage was hers. Scared me to death to see her sleeping in my tub. In my tub!”

“That’s why you lock your door, even in Shady Acres,” another man said. “Looney Tunes all over the place.”

A woman dressed to the nines in a lilac suit and pearls, leaned across the table. “I heard someone might have killed her.”

“Nah.” The first man daubed two of his papers. “She was harmless enough. Harmless!”

“She was nosy.” Man number two said. “My guess…she put that big nose of hers in somebody’s business and they offed her.”

“No,” Mrs. Pearls gasped. “I can’t live here with a killer among us.”

Someone at the next table shushed them. She had to be hard of hearing indeed if she needed them to stop whispering so she could hear Grandma’s singing shouts of the numbers.

There was more gossip and speculation about what happened to Maybelle, but no concrete evidence I could take to the police. By the time we were on our third game, I was tired of roaming the large room and made my way to the popcorn machine.

Heath had me a bag ready before I stopped. “Saw you coming.” He gave me a dimpled grin. “You look exhausted.”

“I am.” I tossed a few pieces of popcorn into my mouth. “White cheddar?”

“Your Grandma told me it was your favorite.”

“Hmm. Bless her heart. I love it.” I slipped off my shoes, perched on a nearby stool, and ignored the peeved glances sent my way by Alice. I hadn’t noticed
her
traveling the room. Instead, she sat at a corner table and worked on papers. “There’s a lot of discussion in the room about Maybelle. Whether she was murdered or not.”

“If you’re going to start asking questions, Shelby, be careful.” Heath handed a man a bag of popcorn. “Even the elderly are capable of despicable acts of violence.”

“You sound as if you’d had experience.” I studied his face.

“Last year, two of the residents got into a fight and one stabbed the other five times. Wanted to make sure he was good and dead, he said.” Heath shook his head. “We hate to think of such things in places like Shady Acres, but man will be man.”

“Birdie has asked me to solve Maybelle’s murder.”

“Why?”

“She said I had access that she doesn’t, and that the residents will talk to me easier than the police. Besides, Grandma thinks it will be fun.”

“It’ll be dangerous.” He put a hand on my shoulder.

My skin heated from his touch. “I’m just asking a few questions. I’m most likely the prime suspect anyway.”

“You’re the primary person of interest.” His eyes clouded with worry. “I heard the officers talking last night. They’re curious as to why hours after the new gardener arrived, a woman was killed.”

The popcorn sat like a rock in my stomach. Perhaps I should up my investigation. Find something to give Officer Lawrence that would take the target off my back. Or would it put a bigger target for the killer? I sighed and pushed off the stool, slipping my feet back into my boots. I no longer cared who won the prizes I’d donated. I only wanted to return to my cottage and do something to take my mind off Maybelle.

By the time the games were over and the room cleaned and prepared for breakfast, it was almost ten o’clock. Grandma left right after, her arm linked with the belcher king, Harold. I didn’t want to speculate what their plans were. Not with the way Grandma was leaning on him and giggling. I shuddered.

“I’ll walk you to your cottage,” Heath said. “If you’re determined to investigate Maybelle’s death, I don’t want you out alone after dark.”

“That’s sweet, and I accept your offer, but Maybelle was killed in the middle of the afternoon.
If
, she was killed.” I still didn’t want to believe anything other than a horrible accident had occurred. A bit of minor investigating would prove I was right. I was certain of that fact.

Heath walked by my side on the way to my cottage. At the door, he took my key and unlocked the door for me. “Good night, Shelby.” His eyes glimmered in one of the lamps lighting the path.

Forgive me, but I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted it badly. After Donald, I felt less a woman. A kiss by a man as handsome as Heath would help restore some of my self-esteem. Instead, he patted my shoulder and left me alone. Most likely a good thing since I was about ready to initiate the kiss myself and look like a fool.

5

M
y cell phone rang the next morning while I was in the shower. As soon as I’d finished, I wrapped in a towel and returned my best friend, Chery’s call. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Just calling to hear about the new job.”

I sat on the sofa and propped my feet on the coffee table. “First day on the job I found a dead body in the greenhouse and met the world’s sweetest and most handsome handyman. Second day on the job, Grandma sang numbers at a Bingo game while I mingled looking for clues as to who might have killed a toothless woman.”

Cheryl was silent for a few moments. “Is the toothless woman the same victim or were their two murders?”

“Just one, thank God. The pink haired friend of the dead lady wants me to investigate because I can go everywhere around here. She’s convinced her friend was murdered and did not accidentally drop her teeth into rat poison, then put them in her mouth.” Which, if I thought about it, didn’t seem at all plausible.

“Wow. Can I come live with you, because teaching isn’t near as exciting?”

“Sure. Don’t you have spring break next week?”

Cheryl laughed. “Seriously? Are we going to investigate a possible murder together? Heck. Today’s the last day of school for break. I’ll be there by four.”

“See you then.” Excitement swelled inside me. I’d glanced through the stack of papers on my desk last night and saw that we could have guests. Whether Maybelle died suspiciously or not, Cheryl and I would have a blast playing Nancy Drew and Bess.

A knock sounded at the door and I rushed to answer. With a sweep, I pulled the door open. “Good morning!”

Heath grinned, his gaze sweeping over me. “Good morning to you, too.”

For Pete’s sake. I was so excited about Cheryl coming to help me, I’d forgotten I was only wearing a towel. I tried my best to act cool, leaning against the door jamb. “What’s up?” My foot slipped and down I went. The towel slipped. Merciful heavens! I grabbed what was left of my dignity, scrambled to my feet, and dashed for the bathroom.

I glanced in the mirror at my flaming cheeks and splashed cold water on my face. How would I ever face Heath? Maybe he’d be gone by the time I came out. No, I wasn’t the lucky type.

I dressed in denim shorts, a yellow blouse tied at the waist and canary yellow rain boots with blue ducks on them. I was as ready as I’d ever be. I took a deep breath, chose to ignore what Heath may or may not have seen, plastered on a smile, and opened the bedroom door. “How can I help you?”

He bit his lip in a vain attempt at hiding his grin. “I overheard something last night after leaving your cottage and thought you might be interested.”

“About Maybelle?”

He nodded. “After I left here last night, I heard Belcher, I mean Harold talking to your Grandmother about Maybelle. He said there were people here signing a petition to get her evicted because of her always being where she wasn’t supposed to be.”

“Now, she’s dead.” I dropped onto the sofa. “I get closer and closer to believing her death wasn’t an accident.” I locked gazes with him. “What could she have seen or heard to cause someone to kill her?” I needed to get my hands on a list of all the residents and start googling some names.

“What are you doing?” Heath’s brows lowered. “Were you serious about investigating?”

“Yes. My best friend is coming to stay for a few days, and she’ll help me. We use to play Nancy Drew all the time when we were kids.”

“This isn’t a game. One person is already dead.”

I cocked my head. “Last night you didn’t seem so opposed to the idea.”

“What did I say to give you that idea?”

“You said it was dangerous, but didn’t say anything about not snooping, then when you walked me home, you said you didn’t want me out alone after dark if I was going to investigate. Which was very sweet by the way, but not necessary.” I got to my feet and headed for the still open front door. “Now, I’ve work to do, as in bushes to trim and flowers to plant.”

He made a sound suspiciously like a growl deep in his throat. “Last night, I thought you were just talking. I didn’t think you were serious.”

“Serious about what?” Officer Lawrence, and his silent partner, strolled up the walk.

“What I plan on working on today.”

He stared silently at me for a moment. “Do you own a pair of gardening gloves, Miss Hart?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Could you describe them to me?”

“I can show you.” Since I had yet to move my tools to the gardening shed, they were piled in a corner of my living area. I pulled out a pair of fluorescent pink gloves with yellow flowers and another pair of a bright blue with multi-colored butterflies. “These are mine.” I waved them at him in a manner resembling someone challenging another to a duel.

“Have you ever seen these?” He pulled a baggy from his pocket that contained a tan and brown glove.

“No, and I would never wear those. They’re hideous. Just because a girl is working doesn’t mean she can’t be pretty while doing so.” I grimaced at the ugly things in the bag. “Those look like men’s construction…gloves.” Something Heath might wear. I fought not to look at him.

“Those are mine,” Heath said. “I misplaced them last week.”

Officer Lawrence narrowed his eyes. “They were found under the victim’s body. According to the coroner’s report, the victim also had poison in her stomach. Not only were her dentures covered in the stuff, but she’d ingested some. Forcibly if the bruises on her shoulders were any indication. I do hope you plan on sticking around, Mr. McLeroy.”

“You think I killed Maybelle?” Heath paled.

“Just a person of interest, sir. Ma’am.” He turned to go.

“Wait. Does that mean I’m off the hook?” I trotted after him.

“For now, Miss Hart.” He increased his pace and disappeared around the corner of the common building.

Heath looked a bit shell-shocked when I returned. “I can’t believe he thinks I committed murder.”

“In his defense, he also suspected me.” It was easy to be charitable when I wasn’t the one under the microscope. “Keep your chin up. I’m sure if he knew you, he wouldn’t suspect you of such a thing.” Or would he? I didn’t know Heath as much more than a handsome face. Maybe his nice guy routine was a farce so he could prey on elderly women. I gave him a sharp gaze and a wide berth as I went to gather my tools.

“What?” He turned to follow me.

“Nothing.”

“You agree with Lawrence!”

“I didn’t say that.” I eyed the shears in my bucket. They would make a nice weapon should I need one.

“I cannot believe this.” He whirled and marched away, leaving me feeling relieved and a bit guilty.

I thought of myself as a good judge of character, normally. My instincts told me that Heath wasn’t a killer. Still, a girl couldn’t be too careful. I hefted my bucket of tools with brightly colored handles and set off for the greenhouse and the little tool shed that sat at one end of it. Finally, no yellow tape fluttered outside the glass building. I could make myself at home.

After stowing my tools in the wood shed, I stood outside the greenhouse staring at the door. I had tons of work to do inside, but couldn’t bring myself to enter.

“What are you doing?” Grandma stepped beside me, eating a banana. “You missed breakfast.”

“Did I?” Great. My skinny body couldn’t afford to miss a meal.

“I brought you an apple, a blueberry muffin, and one of those little cartons of orange juice.” She pulled them from the giant cranberry red bag she carried. “Aren’t you going inside?”

“I should.” I took the food from her and bit into the apple. “Thanks.”

“Come on.” She pulled open the door and shoved me in.

I froze. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but there was no sign anything horrible had happened there, other than a few days lack of water to wilt some of the plants. Even the box of rat poison was gone. It was as if Maybelle had never been there.

Grandma followed and sighed. “I was hoping for a little something.”

I chose to ignore her statement and filled a watering can at a nearby spigot. Then, watching her from the corner of my eye and hoping she didn’t hurt anything, I watered my plants. Something crashed behind me. I whirled.

“Seriously?” I had no idea what my gardening budget was, but I doubted I had enough to replace a four foot ceramic pot. “Grandma, please be careful.”

“It was ugly anyway. All I did was drag this shovel from under that counter. I can’t help it if I broke something behind me.” She peered closer at the shovel. “What is this white powder stuff?”

“Where did you get that?” I took the shovel from her.

“It was under there behind some boxes. Is that poison? Wouldn’t the police have taken it?”

“I think its fertilizer.” I peered under the counter. Someone had been digging in my greenhouse.

A loud knocking ensued overhead. I misjudged the height of the counter and banged my head backing out. “Ow!” I touched the tender spot and glanced up.

Heath straddled a thick branch while sawing the limb of another. He caught me looking and glared.

“What’s the matter with Handsome?” Grandma tossed her banana peel into a trashcan.

“The police think he killed Maybelle and when he asked me if I believed them, I hesitated in answering.”

“Hmm. He doesn’t look like a killer.”

He stared at us for a moment, then resumed sawing.

“Heath!” Alice stood, hands on hips, under the tree. “That can wait. I need you to move something.” When he didn’t respond, she picked up a twig and slapped his foot.

He yelled and fell sideways. As he grappled for a foothold, the branch he’d been sawing broke and crashed through the top of the greenhouse. Seconds later, Heath followed and landed on his back in my tomato plants. Red juice oozed from under him.

Grandma gagged and clapped a hand over her mouth. “Is he dead?”

“Heath.” I shook him.

“Don’t touch me. I’m covered in glass. Get that idiot manager in here.”

I ignored his don’t touch me and grabbed his hand, pulling him to a sitting position. “Let me check your back.”

“I’m fine.” A cut over his eye bled. “Thank goodness the branch broke the glass ceiling before I did. You!” He pointed at Alice. “What were you thinking?”

“I’m sorry. I needed your attention.”

“For what?” he growled.

“I need you to move Maybelle’s things out of her cottage so I can move someone else in.”

“It doesn’t look as if anything is badly damaged except my tomatoes.” I swiped a rag at Heath’s back. “You might want to change first.” I glanced at my busted ceiling. “And call a repairman.”

“Alice can call the repairman while I change my clothes.” Heath limped from the building.

“Should I call a doctor?” Alice chewed a manicured nail.

“No.” I stared after him. “Just call someone to repair the greenhouse. Heath will be fine once he cleans his minor cuts. If not, he’s a big boy and will call a doctor himself.” Someone could have easily been killed by the falling branch or broken glass. Heath could have broken his neck. If he died, would that be justice for Maybelle or the end of another innocent person?