A Flower Girl Murder

by Moure, Ana

  “And what about their father?”

  “What about him?”

  “What do you think he would have done if he found out Natalie wasn’t as pure as he’d taught her to be?”

  “How do you even…?” Dan looked astonished, “I think maybe you know w-a-a-y more than I do about these kids.”

  “I don’t, I’m just covering a few alternatives.”

  “You think the Father is responsible for Natalie’s death?”

  “Is it possible?” Sage countered his question.

  “Over something like breaking her purity pledge? No way. Though if it were something more serious… He is a man with principles after all,” Dan said, lost in thought, but then he shook his head as if he’d come to his senses. “What am I talking about? Of course I don’t think a father is capable of murdering his own daughter. Forget what I said. The whole thing was an accident anyway. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to start setting up.”

  “Uh, okay,” Sage mumbled, confused. “I guess I should be going then. Thank you for your time.”

  “You are welcome,” Dan said, but this time his voice was distant and cold. The magic had dissolved and Sage left the cafe.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Carnations and a Father

  “I can’t believe this! I’m telling you, it was outrageous!” Prim fumed as she continuously ran the shears though the knife sharpener.

  The two sisters were in the greenhouse and as the sun was climbing towards its peak, sweat ran down Sage’s forehead. She wiped it with the back of her hand, straining to breathe in the humid, stale air. Ben had created the greenhouse as a wedding present to his wife and it was Prim’s favorite place in her home. It was where she became creative and where she had grown more than thirty different species of orchids and other exotic flowers. Though the construction was usually carefully air-conditioned, now the sun beamed down mercilessly through the glass ceiling and it felt like a million degrees in there at this hour.

  “Prim,” Sage said, trying to make sense of her sister’s rambling, “Please, start at the beginning. What happened?”

  “Well, I went to Cathy’s place. You know, Cathy is the town’s mortician. The place always creeps me out a bit with all those vintage photographs and her make-up cases and the dusty fake flowers. Cathy is a sweetheart though. Maybe a bit too extravagant for everyone’s taste, with her lipstick and her bright red hair…”

  “Prim!” Sage interrupted, mentally noting that the woman the nurse had been talking to yesterday in the cafe must have been Cathy, “What happened?”

  “Right. So, we were just discussing the flower arrangements for the funeral and the memorial service. Of course I suggested something simple and tasteful. White calla lilies and a navy ribbon with a gold trim…”

  “And?” Sage prompted impatiently. If she let her sister talk about the flowers, there would be no end to it and she was already half-suffocating in the heat. It was a miracle that once again Prim didn’t seem to be bothered by the temperature at all.

  “And then Father Pendergrass came over. Usually we don’t involve the family. We work quite well together, Cathy and I, and we don’t want to bother them in such difficult times. We’ve never had complaints. Only now the Father demanded to see our plans.”

  “That’s not too unusual,” Sage said. She still couldn’t see what had got Prim so worked up.

  “No, of course not,” Prim said, “I respect that he wants to be involved, but as soon as I showed him what I wanted to do, he flipped out again. He started saying, rather loudly, how he wanted no flowers and certainly no ribbons, maybe a carnation or two, and that it was going to be only the simplest ceremony. Only the family and Natalie’s closest friends would be invited. He behaved as if the whole thing was not a big deal!”

  “Okay, you are right, that is strange,” Sage said.

  “Yes, and very upsetting. This is a small community. We are all like family here. When something good or bad happens, we go through it together, like families do. A lot of people knew Natalie closely and were shaken up by her sudden death. Refusing to give them a chance to say goodbye is just cruel.”

  “Or necessary,” Sage mused as if talking to herself.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, he is definitely trying to cover the whole thing up. Refusing the examination, turning you down like that.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” Prim said, “You can’t cover up something that the entire town witnessed. Everyone knows Natalie passed away. If anything, closing off the memorial service will only draw more attention.”

  “Yes, but not everyone in town knows about the pregnancy test. Maybe he was scared there would be talk of it and that the news of his daughter being pregnant would spread.”

  “Hm, I just don’t see how that would help ward off gossip. If you know and you don’t even live here, I only imagine it would spread like hot cakes if it gets out.”

  “So, let’s think. Who knows about this pregnancy test?”

  “The nurse, obviously. Maybe Ben, I haven’t asked him, but he knows how to keep a secret. He hasn’t even told me. Father Pendergrass and Natalie. Maybe even the baby’s father. Oh, and Cathy.”

  “That’s pretty much it,” Sage agreed, “Unless she shared with her sister or Emily. I think we need to talk to Trevor. If Kevin is not the father, which we don’t know for certain yet, then it must be him.”

  “You know what’s the worst of it?” Prim asked, testing the sharpness of her shears with her thumb.

  “What?”

  “I don’t even grow carnations!”

  The phone hadn’t stopped ringing all afternoon. The news that Natalie’s funeral was being moved to tomorrow had left everyone in a rush to get flowers for the ceremony. Even Father Pendergrass’ announcement that the funeral would only be attended by a close circle didn’t discourage people from trying to get flowers to express their condolences. Prim was hardly managing the demand. She kept running in and out of the walk-in cooler where she kept the ready arrangements and rushed into the garden and greenhouse to get more supplies of white lilies, orchids, tulips and, most of all, roses.

  Sage was sitting in the kitchen by the phone, taking the orders in a large ledger. She almost jumped when she realized the customer she was currently speaking to was none other than Trevor.

  “Sure, sure, white roses, dark green ribbon, card… Trevor Rowley. I got it. Only, Trevor?”

  “Yes?”

  “We’re a bit overwhelmed right now and won’t be able to manage all deliveries. Do you mind stopping by to get the flowers in like an hour or so?”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  Prim came in and for the first time in the two weeks Sage had spent with her, she looked exhausted. Her hair was falling out of the loose bun she had tied it in and her mascara was smudged under her eyes. She was panting under the weight of a basket full of tulips that she put on the counter and almost collapsed on the stool. Sage sprung to her feet and fetched a jug of cold cucumber water from the fridge.

  “Thanks, honey,” Prim said and started gulping the refreshing drink. “I officially have nowhere to put these. The cooler is completely stuffed. Please, don’t tell me there were more orders.”

  “Just a couple,” Sage said innocently.

  Prim groaned and lay her head down on the counter. It was extremely unlike her.

  “But guess what?” Sage said cheerfully, “One of the orders is from Trevor and I told him to stop by to pick his flowers in an hour.”

  “Okay,” Prim’s muffled voice came from somewhere under her hair, which had spilled completely at the sides of her face, “Wake me up then.”

  “Don’t make me go all Prim on you,” Sage scolded, “Here, I’ll get you a tea and you lie down in the living room for a moment. The funeral is tomorrow. We don’t have much time.”

  “I think it’s over Sage,” Prim said in a sleepy voice, “Even if we somehow found out who did it, who would believe us? There would be no wa
y to prove she was poisoned once she is in the ground. And I don’t think we’ll be catching a killer between now and tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay, you need to seriously lie down,” Sage said, steering her sister towards the sofa. “I’ll wake you up in half an hour.”

  “You are an angel,” Prim managed to say before she drifted off.

  Thankfully, the phone went silent for a while. Sage filled the electric jug and started looking through the cabinets for the tea boxes. Of course, Prim wouldn’t simply have a box of assorted store-bought tea packets and Sage stumbled across a selection of mini glass jars full of different crunchy tea leaves and small dried fruits. Which was which? Sage only recognized teas when they came with a label and a brand. Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Green Tea, and, well, that’s about how far her tea knowledge extended, so she decided to just boil some water and wait for her sister to make the choice herself.

  It hadn’t been twenty minutes when the doorbell rang and Sage was roused from her notes. She had just started to see something of a pattern in the pages of diagrams, names and scribbles, but the doorbell made it all lose its meaning. She sighed and went quietly to the door. She didn’t want to wake up Prim just yet. Her sister deserved the downtime after hours of cutting flowers and arranging them.

  A handsome young man stood at the door. He had blond hair and dark blue eyes and a charming, white-toothed smile.

  “Hi, I’m Trevor,” he said and extended a hand to greet her, “Is Mrs. Greene home?”

  “I’m Sage, her sister,” Sage said, “Please, come in. I’ll check if she’s back yet.”

  Sage wasn’t ashamed of lying at all if it meant buying Prim a few more minutes of rest. She led him straight to the kitchen and carefully closed the door to the living room, before he’d had the chance to spot her lie. Then she disappeared into the hallway for a minute and returned with a disappointed face.

  “I’m afraid she’s still out,” she said, slightly irritated that the boy had shown up so early, but successfully concealing her emotions. “You are a bit early though, so it might be a while before your flowers are ready to pick up. Do you want to stop by later?”

  “I’ll wait if that’s okay with you,” Trevor said, “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d swing by in case she was ready.”

  Sage cut him a piece of the fruit cake that was still sitting, half-finished, on the counter. She had an idea.

  “You know what? You seem like a strong young man and I need to run a quick errand,” she said in a sweet voice, “Do you mind helping me out? I’ll need a sturdy pair of hands. We’ll be back just in time for you to get your flowers.”

  “Sure, I’d be happy to,” he said politely and Sage thought how different young people were in the small town, how well-behaved and considerate. Then again, all these young people were suspects in her murder investigation…

  She was mentally rubbing her hands together contentedly. Now was her chance to catch a culprit. She grabbed Prim’s truck keys from the wicker dish in the hallway and held the front door open for Trevor.

  “Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Cold Soda and a Groomsman

  Sage and Trevor drove in silence. The truck’s old and rusty air-conditioner was whirring lazily, though it didn’t have much effect and Sage felt her mint-colored sundress stick to her skin and to the leather driver’s seat. She could only hope that there wouldn’t be embarrassing wet stains on the back of her thighs once she got out. Trevor was wiping the sweat off his brow, but he wasn’t complaining.

  Soon they reached Main Street, which was mostly empty, bathed in the unrelenting afternoon sun. The Cheshire Cat’s shutters were up and the door was propped open. Sage’s lips and throat were dry and she couldn’t tell if it was from the hot weather or because she was so nervous. She had to play her cards well, as this was her last chance to talk to Trevor before the funeral tomorrow. Prim was right. If they couldn’t come up with a solution to the mystery by tomorrow, it would have been all for nothing.

  “Hey,” she said suddenly, “How about we stop at The Cheshire Cat and get something cold to drink. My treat, as a way of saying thanks for your help.”

  “Sure, if we have time. I’d love a cold soda right now.”

  “Me too,” Sage admitted as she was parking the huge truck in front of the cafe.

  The two of them went inside and immediately she spotted Dan, wiping wet plates with a kitchen towel, his eyebrows raised at the sight of his new customers. She only hoped that he wouldn’t start teasing her about her investigation in front of Trevor.

  “What can I do for you today,” he said and as usual there was a slight mocking note in his voice.

  “We are just grabbing something cold and we’ll be on our way,” Sage said quickly. “It’s deadly out there.”

  “Deadly you say?” Dan teased, but Sage sent him a warning look that she hoped Trevor didn’t notice.

  “Hey, Trevor,” she turned to her young companion, “Why don’t you pick whatever you want from the cooler. Just regular sparkling water for me, please.”

  “Who says ‘sparkling water’?” Dan said sarcastically.

  “Believe me, if you weren’t the only place I knew that sold cold drinks, I wouldn’t even be here,” Sage said.

  “Alight, fine, I’ll be nice,” he said. “I see you have another victim there.”

  “He’s not my victim,” Sage said defensively.

  “Right, Natalie is his victim. Is that it?”

  “You said you’d be nice. I just want to ask the boy a few questions.”

  Trevor was back with two cans of soda that he deposited on the bar. Sage’s eyes grew large and she froze for a moment. His choice was guava soda.

  “Should we go?” Trevor said.

  “Oh, sure, sure,” Sage mumbled and counted out a couple of dollar bills. “Bye Dan.”

  She walked towards the exit as if in a dream. So, it was him that morning with Natalie. He was the one who wanted to put a stop to the wedding. Of course, it was possible that two people in the world like the same nasty brand of soda, or it could even have been Natalie’s can down at the stone terrace, but suddenly Sage was on edge around the good looking boy.

  As they climbed back in the truck, she decided there was no time for taking risks. She needed to know for sure.

  “Hold on, Trevor,” she said, “I forgot something at the bar. I’ll only be a minute.”

  She jumped out of the truck and hurried back into the cafe.

  “Couldn’t get enough of me?” Dan said with a sly smile.

  “Come on,” Sage said, rolling her eyes, “I need to ask you something.”

  “Perfect! More questions. I wonder if Ben shouldn’t feel threatened with you doing all the police work around here.”

  “Dan,” Sage said, ignoring him, “Do you remember if Trevor came in yesterday morning? I mean very early.”

  “As a matter of fact, he did.”

  “Really?” Sage couldn’t believe her luck. “What did he get?”

  “That crappy guava soda. I swear he’s the only one in town I’m stocking it for. The boy is addicted.”

  “Thanks a lot,” Sage called on her way out.

  The truck came to a stop at the outer edge of the village green. Sage tried to console herself that there was no way the boy knew she was suspecting him of murdering Natalie. She tried to look at him with different eyes now, but it was strange, since he seemed so well-behaved and just plain nice. First impressions can be deceiving, she reminded herself. Just take Derek. She’d been fooled by the man for years. Who was she to judge a person from knowing him for only a few minutes?

  “We just need to take down the potted flowers from the arch and the benches,” she said as they walked down the grassy square towards the stone terrace. The hydrangeas didn’t look too salvageable when they approached them, but Prim could still do her magic to revive them.

  “It feels like it happened ages ago,” Trevor sighed as he took
the scissors and started cutting the pots down from metal frame. Sage was surprised he was the one who started the topic, but she welcomed it.

  “I was thinking the same thing!” she said, “It must have been really hard on you.”

  “On me, sure, just like on anyone else who knew her well.”

  “Oh, sorry,” Sage said, “I thought… Anyway, my mistake.”

  “You thought what?” Trevor asked curiously.

  “I must have misunderstood. I’m new in town, but I thought that she was your girlfriend.”

  “For a while, yes, but that was a long time ago. We didn’t work out as a couple. We were just good friends, which, of course, doesn’t make me any less sad that she passed.”

  “Of course not,” Sage said.

  All the pots were now down and the two of them started loading them on the fold-up cart that Prim kept in the truck. Trevor was extremely efficient, even if this was a made-up task and Sage doubted Prim would be happy to see two dozen pots of dead hydrangeas delivered to her front door.

  “Maybe…” Sage started, but she was afraid she might be going a bit too far, “Maybe I was confused because I saw you guys here yesterday morning and thought you might be in a fight.”

  Trevor froze for a moment in the middle of what he was doing.

  “You saw us?”

  “Yeah, by accident. I was here helping my sister set up for the wedding and I saw you guys arguing.”

  “That’s not possible,” Trevor declared and started rolling the cart quickly towards the truck.

  “Why not?” Sage asked, vouching to herself that this would be her last push. She didn’t want to enrage him.

  “It just isn’t,” he said simply.

  Sage tiptoed to the sofa and lightly blew in her sister’s face. Prim wrinkled her nose for a moment and went back to sleep. Sage took a strand of strawberry blond hair that fell over Prim’s shoulder and tickled her nose with it. Prim waved her hand as if to chase away an annoying fly.