The Hibiscus Heist

by C L Bauer

  Abby joined her boss in the back room. “So, I gather Dev didn’t join you, I mean in bed?” Abby fidgeted with a bolt of ribbon, uncomfortable, but inquiring. “Sorry.”

  “No, he’s gone. He had a call last night. He left on a private plane around nine. We had a great Thanksgiving, we went to the Plaza, he hired a carriage and he said he had something to ask me, and poof, my prince became a frog and hopped right out of here.”

  “Wow, that’s cruel.”

  “Oh most of it was magical until I saw Garrett Notte.”

  Abby jumped up. “What did Dev do to him? Did he pummel him? Tell me, can Garrett still walk?”

  Lily shook her head and continued working on the corsage. “Dev did nothing. I didn’t tell him I saw him. And that madman blew me a kiss. I was petrified.”

  Abby placed her arm around her boss’s shoulders. “We are going to have to do something about that jerk.”

  “Gretchen wants to have a stake out and catch him doing something.”

  “Your bestie!”

  “Abby, get to work.” And Lily was back and in control. “Why are you here?”

  “Jeremy kind of goofed up. His parents went on vacation to St. Thomas. He forgot.”

  Lily couldn’t help but laugh. It was a good release to laugh again. “He forgot?”

  “Yep. We drove two hours, walked into an empty house, called them, and we drove back two hours. We ate at Denny’s. Jeremy had pancakes.”

  “I still have leftovers if you want to come over tonight.”

  Abby sighed. “I would sincerely love that. The turkey and dressing at Denny’s is not like my mom’s. Maybe we just watch a movie? Have they started the Hallmark Christmas movies?”

  Lily laughed again and added a delighted snort. “Of course. They started those in October!”

  That night after Thanksgiving, in Miami, a couple oozing with money and glamour, entered one of the top clubs in South Beach. The playacting had begun with Alise nuzzling Dev’s neck. His neck tightened. Alise’s perfume, her scent was now on his jacket. He kissed her softly on the cheek.

  “I know you two are doing a job, but don’t get so cozy you forget why you are here.” The couple’s bodies were so close even Alise could hear Carlos speaking through Dev’s earpiece.

  Alise threw her head back and laughed. “Darling, I think we need to take a break before we get carried away.”

  Dev kept his arm on her shoulders and with his left hand, he took a drink from his glass. “You think?”

  “You feeling alright?” Alise whispered.

  Dev scanned the room looking for anything and anyone. “Just preoccupied.”

  Carlos heard the comment. Was Dev preoccupied because of Alise? He certainly hoped not. He’d been spending a lot of time with the woman and her daughter. He liked her, he liked her very much.

  Dev saw two men who looked familiar. “I have eyes on two men. They look like a couple of hit men, maybe from an INTERPOL list? I’m not sure. Anyone want to check them out?”

  “Got it, boss,” Carlos acknowledged. “You two need to look alive. You have a dealer coming to your table. Time for some Oscar performances.”

  And their scene began.

  Chapter Fifteen

  With Abby along, the reception set up went quickly. All they had to do was deliver to the church and make sure the bride was happy. The bride was crying when they entered the parlor. Bride brain had intensified into emotional meltdown. Lily showed the bouquets off to any woman who would look at them and then approached the bride, placing the flowers right in front of her face.

  “It’s your wedding day. Tears of happiness?”

  The bride shook her head negatively. “My groom has the flu.”

  Lily really didn’t know what to say. She’d often reminded brides during consultations to enjoy the day and to not have anticipations that could be doused by the weather, a bad bartender or a late photographer.

  “Can he get to the altar long enough to say your vows?”

  “I don’t know. His mom is calling a doctor friend to see what they can do.”

  “That’s a plan. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Lily hurried to the sacristy, finding the church’s pastor. “Father, we have a sick groom.”

  “I know. I just saw the boy.”

  “What can we do? Maybe a chair, a bucket?”

  The priest laughed. “I have the chair out there already, but I didn’t think of a bucket. The front few pews may not appreciate it but it could get him through the service. And I’ll talk fast.”

  “They’re talking to a doctor so hopefully they can get him through. It’s not like they can reschedule.” Lily remembered when the Kennedy family canceled a cousin’s wedding when John Jr.’s plane went down. They gave away the food to charities, the flowers probably gifted too. The couple married on another day later in the year in a more low-key ceremony. But most people couldn’t afford to cancel a wedding and lose thousands of dollars. Over the years, Lily had a few cancelled weddings. Usually, there had been enough notice to cancel the flowers, the client only losing the deposit. But on the day of the event it was impossible to postpone.

  The wedding this day did go on with the groom on every known stomach soother, sitting in his chair, occasionally running with his bucket. Abby and Lily stayed behind to watch and see if they could help. It would’ve been hysterically funny, but their overriding feelings were of sympathy and empathy. At the end, the happy couple, one green around the gills, were husband and wife. Mazel tov.

  The two women decided against leftovers and treated themselves to dinner out. After her time with Abby, Lily settled on the couch with her new friend, Mort’s head and paws in her lap. It was a very usual Saturday night featuring Christmas movies, popcorn, and a very large lap dog. She was actually comforted to have the shepherd by her side as she realized there was no patrol car outside her house. Dev’s quick departure had left her unprotected except for the canine DEA dropout. But Lily couldn’t wait to get to church and have a real discussion with God. She needed a lot of answers.

  The next morning, she sat in church. Her head turned when she thought she heard Dev. Midway through Mass she figured he wasn’t coming. There would be no Hail Mary scenes of reunion. Lord, what in the world am I supposed to do? I love this man, but he is driving me crazy. He gives me a dog. He has something to ask me, but he’s saved by the bell, literally. What the heck? And don’t tell me to have patience, all out of it. I have no more patience, but I have a dog food bill now. What a trade off! To cap it off there’s an insane man I think is some sort of a drug lord. I need your help, again. Lily’s silent prayer of supplication went unanswered. God was sleeping in today. Lily was wide awake. She began making lists in her head while moving like a robot kneeling, standing, and sitting.

  Her Sunday ritual now included letting a dog out into the back yard. She hurried out of church, went through the local drive-thru for breakfast and headed back home. By the time Mort was out and her phone turned back on, there was a text message from the bride’s mother from yesterday.

  “THANKS FOR ALL YOU DID. THE DOCTOR GAVE HIM DRUGS TO GET HIM THROUGH A BRIEF PART OF THE RECEPTION. BEFORE HE LEFT TO GO UP TO THE ROOM, HE BEGGED EVERYONE TO DANCE WITH HIS BRIDE. MY DAUGHTER ENJOYED THE ENTIRE NIGHT WITHOUT HIM. HE WAS BETTER WHEN THEY CAUGHT THEIR PLANE THIS MORNING, BUT JUST HEARD THAT NOW SHE IS SICK. THEY CATCH THEIR CRUISE TOMORROW, HOPEFULLY. THANKS AGAIN!”

  “Poor babies,” Lily said out loud. They would have more nights, she thought. She looked out the back door, watching Mort attempt to smell every blade of grass and piece of tree bark. She was picking up a very large stick and headed back to her new mistress.

  “Drop it, Mort.” The dog immediately spit the wood out of her mouth and sat at attention. “Wow, you really do take orders well. Come on, you get a treat.”

  I wish very special agents took direction as well, Lily thought. Well, he did from some government official on the other side of the phone. But they’
d had Thanksgiving together before duty called. Darn his responsibility gene.

  Once Mort had eaten her treat, she headed toward the front door. She barked twice. Lily looked at the wall clock. It was nearly two in the afternoon.

  “What in the world are you doing? Is there something out there?” She hung onto the dog’s collar and opened the door. A car was parked in front of her yard. It was a sports car, not a police patrol. What in the world? Lily pushed Mort further back into the living room before stepping out onto her front steps. Someone was in the car.

  Her stomach roiled. Garrett Notte was waving at her and blowing her kisses, again. If ever there was a time to give him an offensive salute, this was the time, but instead she quickly took two steps into her home and checked every available lock. She’d thought the surveillance had ended because they thought Dev was still with her, but around noon Sharon had called.

  “Lily, Sharon Burton. You may have noticed we don’t have anyone outside your house. We’ve solved the case. You’ll see part of the story about the car ring on the news tonight. Some of our police were involved. I can’t get into too many details but the dangerous part for you is all over.”

  She’d been assured that whatever threat upon her had passed. Obviously, they didn’t know Garrett Notte. Here he was insinuating himself in her world; taunting her like a bad little brother; posing a threat of epic proportions. It was one thing to have your car stolen from your driveway, it was another to suspect a stalker of serving up drugs to young adults resulting in their deaths. She hoped she was wrong but she seldom was when it came to people and their behavior.

  She texted Tom immediately. He’d know what to do. Her phone rang in a minute.

  “What do you mean he’s sitting outside your house?”

  “Exactly that. He waved at me, blew me kisses and he’s still out there.” Now Lily was more angry than frightened. She relayed Sharon’s information, but Tom already knew the details.

  “I’m calling the police and having them send someone over there to clear him out. I wonder what he is doing?”

  Lily sighed. “You and me both. Tom, how much more?”

  He didn’t answer right away. He knew what she meant; she’d been through a lot in the last year and few months. Lily’s world now had a bubble cloud raining down crap every day.

  “Lily, we will figure this out. We always do, heck, you always do. Be strong. But wait a minute, isn’t Dev with you?”

  “No.”

  Tom Fullerton could hear the disappointment in her one syllable answer. “Was he called back to Washington?”

  “I’m really not sure. He doesn’t share well.”

  “Like I said, Lily, he may not be able to do that. I know he wanted to be with you more than anything.”

  Lily plopped down in her oversized chair. Mort nuzzled her leg. “I know. It just gets old.”

  “I’m a good listener. I do it for a living,” Tom laughed.

  “But when you listen to someone you’re usually trying to catch them in a lie.”

  Tom laughed again. “I’m not sure you could lie to save your soul.”

  “I did once, very well, to John.” Her thoughts went to that night.

  The laughter stopped. “I know. You did that to save yourself. Lily, I’ve got to go. My daughter is leaving to go back to college.”

  Lily’s memory was broken. “Go, please. I’m fine. Just send the police.”

  “Will do, and keep that alarm on.”

  “Yes, I will. Tell your wife hello. Thank you.” She hung up before Tom could answer. She pulled back the curtain to see Garrett’s car. It was less than two minutes when a patrol car with two very large police officers pulled behind him and walked on either side of his car. They talked briefly and then Garrett pulled away slowly. The officers came up to her and assured they’d keep an eye out for him. She should call if she suspected anything, absolutely anything. Their attention and empathy frightened her more. They were worried. Now she was worried. She’d never been so happy to have a drop out, drug sniffing dog beside her as now.

  The rest of Sunday she began decorating the interior of the house for Christmas. She wasn’t sure what kind of holiday it would be this year. Neither Dev nor she had any airline reservations. He hadn’t said he would come to her and she couldn’t come to him. She needed to learn to accept a relationship that didn’t involve planning anything. She had a wedding two days after Christmas Day. Timing would be tight as it was, and she didn’t need to worry about flying back to Kansas City in a snowstorm with millions of other travelers.

  Her new Lily and Mort ate around five after she’d raised the fake Christmas tree and placed the lights everywhere.There were lights on the tree, the mantle, the side table. If Mort would’ve stood still long enough she would’ve been decorated in the season’s finest. They watched the news, learning that one police officer and a detective had been arrested as part of an auto theft/drug ring. The network included several area workers at car dealerships around the metro. They were using vehicles as transport mules from Kansas City to Mexico and back again. Jeff Potter’s detective brother and Internal Affairs had broken them, well, and Lily’s port-a-potty, drug smuggling car. She was never mentioned and that was the best part of the story. The newspaper was running a feature on Monday morning.

  She was clearing the dishes when Mort ran to the door and barked again. Garrett was back. She threw her towel down, picked up her cell phone and flashlight and headed outside, running down the lawn. She’d also placed Mort on the leash and held her by her side.

  “Get out of here,” she screamed. The yelling brought two neighbors from across the street out onto their porch. Mort began to bark, her paws leaning on his passenger door. He began his car while he was cursing about the dog scratching his baby.

  “That’s right. Get the hell out of here.” His tires screeched as he tore out. Lily stood tall and satisfied. Let him be scared for a little while. She petted Mort’s head and waved at the neighbors. “He’s a stalker.” They nodded and weakly smiled at her behavior. Now they know I’m nuts.

  “Good girl.” Mort and she went back into the house. Instead of calling the police, she looked over at her coat. “I know I shouldn’t do this, girl, but I just have to.” She threw on her coat, grabbed her bag and keys and decided two could play at this game.

  Lily sat in her car outside the Notte’s very large home. She’d forgotten her gloves and was now sitting on her hands to keep warm. She’d been there over an hour just watching whoever drove in and out. Garrett had left and then returned, parking his sports car just within the gates. She’d positioned her car so she could see the gate and driveway, but far enough from their own surveillance cameras and lights. She was parked in complete darkness under a large oak tree.

  Lily heard a tapping sound. Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap What the heck was that noise? It sounded like heels on a floor. The sound was closer, coming toward her. She peered into the side mirror, but saw nothing but black void.

  Lily jumped at the sight of a red fingernail tapping on her passenger side window. Then she saw red lipstick so vibrant it could be seen in the dark and lots of hair, Gretchen. She unlocked the door and the crazy coordinator fell into the vehicle, her stilettos sticking on the floorboard.

  “What the heck, Gretchen? You scared me to death.”

  Gretchen smiled broadly, her one brow arching. “I brought you coffee.” She handed Lily the extra cup. “I hope you have good snacks in this bag. Every stake out needs some high cal food.” She began to rifle through Lily’s bag. “Doughnuts, chips, I don’t see anything in here. Really, Lily? Is this the one time, really one time that you don’t have unhealthy foods?”

  “I didn’t know I’d have company, and this isn’t a stake out.” Lily’s terse chords created a frown on Gretchen’s heavily made-up face.

  “I can’t let you do this alone. This is dangerous business. That delicious man would never forgive me if something happened to you.”

  Oh Lord
, really? What have I done to offend you? She ignored her, but did take a sip of hot coffee. She did need something warm, but she wouldn’t tell her intruder. “By the way, how did you know I was here?”

  “Well, dearie, I’ve been watching our little criminal for some time now. Since that club incident I told you about I’ve been casually driving by here now and then and you won’t believe what I’ve been learning.”

  “Gretchen, I’m only watching to see if Garrett leaves the house again. I followed him here after he came by my house twice today. I want him to see what it feels like.”

  Gretchen began laughing. “You are so naive, Lily. Even if he knew you were out here watching him, he wouldn’t care. He’d probably give you a show, maybe do a little strip for you if it were warmer. He doesn’t care; he doesn’t feel. He’s getting his jollies bothering you. You don’t sleep at night but he’s sleeping like a baby. He helps kill kids. He could come out here and kill us like that.” She snapped her fingers dramatically in front of Lily’s face.

  “I’m so tired of doing nothing, Gretchen.”

  “Then, be the smart woman you are. You need to go home. Tell the police. I told them what I knew. They listened. Of course, I really had no proof of anything when that poor boy was found on the golf course, but hopefully I might have said something that will help them. And for heaven’s sake, be smart.”

  “The police were called today, and they did come out. I didn’t call tonight. I just got mad.” Lily rolled her eyes. Gretchen didn’t need to know any of the newsworthy story of her poor little car and the drug ring. Besides, when did Gretchen become the voice of reason? “Fine. Get out of my car so I can go home. Thanks for the coffee.”

  Gretchen patted her arm. “Good girl, besides there’s really only one very special agent who is good at undercover work, right?” Gretchen winked and licked her lips seductively.

  And Gretchen was back. “Get out of my car, now.” Lily pointed toward the passenger door.

  “You’re very touchy about that man. Do we have bedroom problems?”