by Danger Cove
Drake dropped the petal back into the pot and unlocked my phone. He scrolled through my contacts to reach Agnes. Didn't take very long since the list was alphabetical. Why couldn't her name have been Wilma or something? "I'm going to dial her number and put her on speaker. I want you to tell her that plans have changed, and she needs to bring the money now and put it by the door of the greenhouse."
"Don't you think she'll find that suspicious?" Nausea began to brew in my stomach. I wasn't sure if the cause was nerves or the poison. Either way, I prayed I didn't throw up.
"If the cops show up with her, you are going to spend a lot more quality time with the pretty purple plant."
Message received loud and clear. I prayed that the cops, who were already planning on being here later, would demonstrate a superior level of stealth. "Okay. I'll be convincing."
The phone rang several times before she picked up. "Hi, Lilly. I hope you're calling to calm me down. I'm more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."
Despite the gravity of my situation, I couldn't help but let a small chuckle escape. "Nice analogy, Agnes. Listen, why don't you go ahead and bring the money now. You can put it over by the greenhouse. No one goes out there this time of night. Text me once you've made the drop, and then I'll keep the money safe until the appointed time. That way you won't be in harm's way. I wouldn't forgive myself if something bad happened to you." I was also not going to forgive myself if something worse happened to me.
There was a long pause. "Are you sure?"
Here was my one and only chance to get a message to Agnes in the hopes she'd understand. "As sure as I am that Charlie likes Italian food and tequila." Truthfully, it wasn't much for her to go on, but it was all I could manage with the numbness slowly working its way through my body. "Just trust me, Agnes." I couldn't even add the part about there being a smuggler in the tavern, which was code amongst our team for There's trouble. Call the police.
She was quiet for several long, gut-wrenching seconds. I didn't want to think about how much more of the flower Drake would expose me too if I couldn't convince her. Maybe your entire body going numb would prove a painless way to go.
"Okay, Lilly. I'll get everything together and head over there now."
"Great. Thanks. Just trust me it will all work out."
Drake cut the connection before either Agnes or I could say anything further. "Glad to see you're capable of behaving. Detective Marshall doesn't seem to think so based on what I've overheard."
"Yeah, well, he's not at the top of my favorite-people list either." Guess being poisoned didn't change how I felt about that particular member of the force. Though I'd be mighty happy to see him about now, even if he did fuss at me.
Drake returned to the chair opposite of me. He leaned forward and patted my knee. "Don't worry, Lilly. It will all be over soon."
That was what worried me most.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Time was a fickle thing. If you were having fun, twenty minutes could feel like five. If your life was hanging in the balance, those same minutes felt like hours. I prayed the delay only meant Agnes had picked up on my coded message and knew that Drake was the blackmailer. The plan we'd formed was still the same—just the timing had changed. I prayed that asking her to shorten the time frame would still allow the plan to work and that my message would be interpreted as me being in danger—grave danger. I stopped that line of thinking. Anything that mentioned a grave needed to not be in my thoughts right now.
I watched Drake pacing between my position and the door. "What's taking her so long?"
"You kept the bottle to frame Agnes, didn't you? Why would you do that? If she paid you the money, you would have what you wanted."
He stopped pacing and returned to the seat in front of me. "You're so naïve and beautiful. You only see the good in people."
Which was about to get me killed, but no sense in bringing that up. "You're right. I do believe there is good in everyone." Though Drake Butler was challenging that notion with each life lesson he tried to teach me.
"You don't understand how a con works."
I tried to shrug, but I wasn't sure the muscles got the message from the brain. Another wave of nausea rolled through my body. I realized that if I was going to do anything to change the outcome of this night, I needed to act quickly—or I wouldn't be able to act at all. "You're right. I don't."
He pointed to the bottle, which was still sitting hidden among some of the plants closest to the room with flowers…the room with the exit. "I was wearing gloves—occupational hazard of a gardener. You take Agnes's prints and a little of Rico's DNA on the bottle, and that equals the perfect opportunity to frame her for the murder. They won't have any trouble figuring out motive or opportunity with her."
My phone buzzed with an incoming call. Drake looked at it. "Why would Vernon be calling you? Isn't he Ruby's significant other?"
"He's a retired schoolteacher. I called him about putting in a good word for Tanner." Well, the part about having been a schoolteacher was true as far as I knew. I suspected there was more to that story than he'd ever tell me. He had a lot of law enforcement contacts for someone in education. Either that or he worked only with troubled kids.
"Don't answer it."
I started to lift my bound hands and make a sarcastic remark, when I realized that I still could lift my hands. I had no idea how long before the poison rendered me unable to move or the nausea made me sicker than Rico's tea. Or killed me…I made a show of trying and then managed to summon a few tears. That was the good thing about denying your tear ducts' release all the time—you had a good amount of waterworks in reserve. "I couldn't answer even if my hands weren't bound." I added a sniffle at the end for good measure.
A hint of remorse flashed across Drake's face. I still believed there was some good buried way down deep in him. I lowered my head in mock defeat. "Do you think…"
Drake lifted my chin with his weathered hand. "What? Do you need some water? You have to believe I didn't want it to come to this. I really did like you, Lilly. You gave me a chance when very few people had."
And this was how he repaid me? Felt like people died unintentionally a lot around him. I locked the anger and sarcasm down in a vise of steel. There would be time for that later. I blinked a couple times, sending a few more of the reserved tears down my cheeks. "Then maybe you could repay my kindness by untying me. It's not like I can get away, and Agnes will be here with your money soon." At least I prayed she would.
Conflict covered his stubbled face, but after a lengthy pause, the zip ties were removed. I stood and continued through with the act and pretended to stumble a bit. "Sorry. Happens when I'm in the same position too long." Didn't want to oversell the effects of the poison since he hadn't put any on my lower extremities.
He pointed to the chair. "Sit back down. I don't want you trying to make an escape." The humor in his voice pistoled me off, and I had to tighten the vise on my wayward words.
"You've won. I'm not going to escape—thanks to the pretty purple flower of poison. Agnes will be dropping the money off any minute now. You'll soon be on your way to the riches and freedom you've dreamed of." And it only cost two people their lives. Hey, internal monologue can't be controlled. No one is that good.
Since his gaze was focused fully on me, I let mine drift to the flower I'd been admiring earlier. "Since you won't let me up, would you at least bring the Stargazer to me? I'd like to smell it again. It was one of my favorites." My hands were folded in my lap. I wanted to be sure when he got to say hello to my little snub-nosed friend, he would be taken completely by surprise. My weapon was small, but I intended to make every inch count.
I heard rustling outside the door. I could only pray that meant help was close by and within hearing range. Since the only prints on the bottle were Agnes's, I needed to try to get him to confess to what I hoped were witnesses outside the door. I would be happy to tell the police or a court about Drake'
s confession to me—assuming I was around to tell my story—but that would be my word against his. Though one would think my word would carry more weight, I wanted him to pay for all he'd done to my friends and me. I took a deep breath and hoped my voice was loud enough—but not too loud—so that whoever was out there would know to listen. "I know you said you didn't plan to kill Rico, but do you feel any remorse? Any at all?"
Drake laughed. "Not one bit. I played second fiddle to that scammer my whole life. He knew the risks."
He moved closer, and I fought valiantly against the desire to flee. I needed him close.
His hand cupped my cheek. "Though I do regret what I have to do to you."
Agnes's voice cut into his little Machiavellian moment. "I'm just going to set the bag right here by the door, officer. Just like Lilly instructed."
Drake's eyes widened in surprise and anger. I used one hand to grab his neck in an effort to hold him close. With one Herculean effort, I begged my nerves to rise above the poison-induced atrophy and give us one last hurrah. I swung the other hand hard with the intent of putting the screwdriver in as many places on Drake's body as possible before my arm either gave out or he recovered from the initial shock and finished me off. His bicep felt the stab first.
"You bitch!"
My attack caused him to release his hold on me. Deciding escape was better than inflicting more damage to him, I lunged toward the door, the momentum making me fall to my knees. "Help me!"
The door busted open, and my heroes, Officer Faria and Tanner, rushed in amongst other uniformed officers. Faria went straight to Drake while Tanner rushed to my side. He lifted me gently to rest my head in his lap. All of the activity and fast pumping of my blood ramped up the effects of the poison.
"Lilly! What's wrong?"
"Poison—monkshood." I guess if I had to die, doing so in Tan's arms wasn't the worse thing. Of course, if I threw up all over him first, that would ruin the whole tragic love story angle. No one would make a movie with that in the scene.
Detective Marshall stepped through the door and double-checked to make sure his team had Drake under control before he squatted down beside me. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from my face. Must be another unpleasant side effect of the poison. Fantastic. My voice didn't carry its usual strength. "Tell me you heard his confession. He was wearing gloves…"
"You can tell the detective the rest of the story later." Tan looked up at the non-poisoned people in the room. "She needs an ambulance right away!"
The worry in his voice made me feel even worse than I already did. Once again I'd managed to put myself in harm's way. In all fairness, this time I hadn't done it intentionally.
Detective Marshall responded, "Already done, Mr. Montgomery. Anytime Ms. Waters is involved, I assume extra police and medical attention is required."
Wasn't he the funny one. In an unusual act of compassion, the detective patted my shoulder. "We heard everything. I'd lecture you about getting involved, but I'll save that until you're up and able to argue with me." He offered a small smile. "It's more fun that way."
He turned and nodded to Faria, who made my day with his statement. "Drake Butler, you're under arrest for the murder of Rico Iglesias."
I smiled at Detective Marshall as the darkness crept across my body, lulling me into the bliss of unconsciousness. "Then it's official."
"What's official?"
"The Butler did it in the dining room with the tequila bottle."
He must've picked up on my vague Clue reference since he shook his head and laughed. "Even on the brink of passing out, she finds a way to taunt me that she figured it all out first."
The tingling and numbness moved through my body at an alarming rate, and I prayed that passing out was all I did. I slipped my hand into Tan's and answered the sweet call of darkness.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Bright, artificial lights greeted me when I managed to open my eyes. Mandi's smile was the first to greet me. "Morning, sunshine. How are you feeling?"
I took a moment to do a quick assessment. "My head is filled with cement, my stomach has churned at least five pounds of butter, and my arms are limp noodles. Does that answer the question?" I softened my complaining with a smile and added, "And I'm incredibly happy to be alive and able to feel everything my body is enduring."
She took my hand and squeezed. "I'm incredibly happy you're alive too."
"What happened? What made Agnes mention the police when she was leaving the money?" Don't get me wrong—I was grateful she did, as that allowed me to act before things got even worse than they already were.
"Agnes was in the tavern when you called."
"What? Why was she there?"
Mandi laughed. "You do recall she'd run out of tequila at her house. With everything going on, she didn't have time to run to Seattle to restock. It's not like they keep that stuff in any of the local liquor stores."
"Touché."
Mandi pulled a piece of paper out of her purse and put it in front of my nose.
"What is that? Smells like an Italian restaurant."
Mandi's smile warmed me to my core. "It's the blackmail note that was given to Agnes. She happened to get a whiff of it at some point and recognized that the smell reminded her of Jonathan and Drake. She suspected one of them might be the culprit. When you called and mentioned Charlie liking Italian food and tequila, we agreed it had to be Drake."
I squeezed her hand. "You are so very good at puzzles. I'm glad you were there to help her."
"You know I love a good puzzle. So I called Officer Faria and explained the situation. The police mobilized sooner rather than later. They figured they would be able to arrest him for kidnapping, unlawful detainment, amongst other things, but…"
"But to get him for murder, they would need more."
"Right. Detective Marshall came up with the plan for Agnes to make her way up to the greenhouse with Faria close behind and with backup nearby. He told them to listen quietly to see if they could overhear anything. Everyone believed you would do everything you could to get Drake to talk." She smiled. "And you did."
I thought of how scared I was at the end, truly believing I was going to die. "You all know me too well. Though, to be honest, this might have been the most scared I've ever been."
Mandi's gaze narrowed. "I can't even imagine how terrifying the whole situation was. I'm so glad you're okay. Thankfully, Drake is behind bars, and you're going to be around to make us smile, mix cocktails, and solve more mysteries."
I nodded but didn't say anything. For some reason, this brush with death had reached down to my innermost being and frightened me more so than ever before. It wasn't the idea of dying. It was more the idea of dying having never truly shared my life with someone else—or even allowed the possibility.
"If you're up to it, there's someone here to see you."
My heartbeat increased its pace in anticipation of who I suspected it might be. "Tanner?"
"Allyson."
The breath escaped in a long sigh that slumped my shoulders, and I closed my eyes. "Oh, okay. You can send her in."
Mandi's hand on my shoulder brought my gaze to hers. Her understanding smile reached through my disappointment. "Tan insisted on handling things at the tavern so I could be here with you until your mom is able to make it in. He wanted to be here."
"What day is it?"
"Thursday."
Tanner had to give his answer to the school by tomorrow. The clock was ticking, and I was laid up in bed. Not good. "Go back and help him. I'll be fine. Ask him if he'll take his lunch break at my place tomorrow afternoon. I want to give him his graduation present."
Mandi giggled. "Gee, I wonder what that could be."
I firmed up my noodle arms and managed to give her a light tap on the arm. "Don't be sassy. I'm not in fighting form. For your information, I plan on cooking lunch for him as part of his gift."
She leaned over and gave me a hug. "I'll ask him
to make plans to stop by. Let me know if you need any help with the cooking. I know that's not normally your thing."
"I'll be fine, but thanks for the offer."
The look on her face shared her disbelief that I was capable of cooking a meal for anyone. It wouldn't be a Tara-level meal, but added to the gift I wanted to give Tan, it should do the trick.
Once Mandi left, Allyson came in. "How are you feeling?"
I skipped all the detail I'd provided Mandi. "Happy to be alive. Who knew something so delicate could be so poisonous."
Allyson nodded. "I'm glad Drake is behind bars. I hated Rico, but never wished him dead."
The fact he manipulated, conned, and blackmailed people could inspire a certain level of hate, no doubt. "How are you and Jonathan?"
Her visage brightened at the sound of his name. "We're good. We had a long talk and worked through everything. We're going into business together. Well, my aunt will be involved too. Food and fashion—two things that never go out of style."
"I'm happy for both of you. What about his…illness?"
Allyson's smile dimmed a few watts. "We're looking into surgical options and remain hopeful he'll regain his sense of taste, but he has a trusted sous chef that's been with him for years. He's going to promote him and let him handle the kitchen. Jonathan will have input on what's on the menu, but leave the creation of the dishes to him."
A small ray of hope filled my heart. "Does that mean Tara…"
Allyson chuckled. "Turned him down. She said Danger Cove is her home, and she's not ready to leave. She mentioned something about the closeness of a small town that she didn't want to give up—at least not yet."
I did nothing to hide my sigh of relief. One down, one to go.
Allyson continued. "I also want you to know that Agnes invested the money Jonathan needed even after he came clean about his health issues. He shared his strategy with her, and she agreed with the plan he laid out. You're still welcome to invest if you like. We'd certainly love having you as a silent partner."
