Adieu at the Zoo_A Jefferson Zoo Mystery

by Harol Marshall

  “And second,” she turned to Donna, “I’ve invited Ms. Banks to serve on the committee because I have a theme in mind, though I’ll rely on your brilliant minds to devise creative ways to implement it.”

  What were we in for now?

  Sally Ann continued, sing-songing her ideas as we nodded appropriately. “We zoos too often fail to give sufficient credit to the role our nutritionists play in maintaining healthy animals.” She smiled and nodded at Donna, whom I assumed was her current “Pet of the Month,” as the keepers tagged this particular Sally Ann idiosyncrasy.

  I could feel my mind drifting as it often did in the presence of Sally Ann. I made a conscious effort to fix my attention on her words instead of her aura, but the specter of Sally Ann never failed to mesmerize me.

  She must have sensed my inattention and sent another ‘listen up’ smile my way as she continued. “We need to do a better job informing the public about the very important job we as a zoo do when it comes to food preparation. So here’s my idea,” she paused for effect, “an animal dinner!”

  I waited for her to clap her hands in excitement, but she exhibited more restraint than usual, no doubt due to the presence of Nelson Farthington. She glanced around and we all nodded our approval. No one was better at returning you to your childhood than Sally Ann.

  Donna spoke up first. “I like the idea, but we have a number of constraints to consider.”

  “I understand.” Sally Ann pursed her lips and tipped her stylish head, “but artistry rises to constraints.”

  I tucked that one into the back of my memory bank. “Perhaps,” I said, “Donna could make a list of the human foods in her kitchen and note which animals eat them, and we can—”

  “Good idea,” Donna said, interrupting me. She had less patience with Sally’s meetings than I did. “And easy to do. We basically have those lists already. I can organize them and run duplicates for you.”

  Nelson piped up next. “I’ll be glad to ask my family’s kitchen staff to look over the lists and suggest menu items, if that would be helpful.”

  “What a wonderful idea,” Sally Ann gushed.

  We spent the next twenty minutes discussing organization and publicity, despite Donna’s and my valiant efforts to draw the meeting to a close. Fortunately, I sat nearest the door, which allowed me a quick exit. I had more on my mind today than Sally Ann’s ‘eat like an animal’ extravaganza, or making additional small talk with Nelson Farthington.

  As soon as the meeting ended I returned to my office and called Dan, asking him to meet me for lunch at Comfort’s. I warned him I had a plan in mind for catching a crook and needed his help. “My plan involves dinner at El Provencal for tonight.”

  After listening to his response, I was glad I decided to convey the news by phone instead of in person because he answered with, “I’m not sure I like the sound of this, Sam.”

  “Please trust me on this one,” I cajoled, employing my most persuasive tone of voice—low on whine, high on sex appeal. It seemed to work.

  “Okay,” he said, giving in more easily than I’d expected. “I can meet you for dinner, but not for lunch. I’m tied up with a problem down here.”

  “No problem. I’ll call El Provencal and make a reservation for seven-thirty tonight. How’s that?”

  “Seven-thirty’s fine, but they don’t take reservations,” Dan said, reminding me he’d spent a lot more time at El Provencal than I had. I comforted myself knowing his most recent dinner with the mysterious blonde was nothing to worry about, even though cousin marriage is still legal in North Carolina.

  Chapter 61

  I arrived at El Provencal fifteen minutes early in order to ensure a table by the time Dan arrived. I needn’t have worried. Monday night was far from the busiest night of the week, the hostess explained.

  “Hey, sugar,” he said, greeting me in the foyer with what had become his standard form of address when we met outside of the zoo.

  The hostess showed us to the booth by the window as I’d requested, since it gave the best view of the parking lot. As soon as she left, Dan said, “Okay, Sam, spit it out. What have you done?”

  I suggested we decide on our dinner orders first, so my story wouldn’t be interrupted. I opened the menu, and glanced up at him. “What’s your favorite?”

  He sighed. “I like the Seafood Portofino.”

  I studied the menu. “That looks good, but I’m allergic to scallops.”

  “They can make it without scallops.”

  “Okay, then I’ll give it a try.” Unlike Dan, I’m not an adventurous eater. I can’t remember the last time I’d eaten mussels, if ever, but I was aiming to please.

  The waitress took our orders, and Dan gave me the most skeptical look I’d ever seen cross his face. “Out with it.”

  “Okay.” I squirmed in my seat before answering, hoping to generate sympathy. “It’s like this. I happened to run into Nelson Farthington this morning while I was having breakfast at Comfort’s. He asked if he could join me, and I said okay.”

  “And you hadn’t set this up beforehand? He simply happened to appear for breakfast?”

  “No, I mean yes, he happened to come in.” I crossed my heart and pointed to the ceiling. “Sally Ann set up a Zoo To Do planning meeting for ten this morning, and Comfort’s serves the best breakfast in town, so it wasn’t much of a coincidence to run into him there. ”

  “Okay. I can’t wait to hear what’s coming next.”

  “Of course the conversation got around to plants, what with his father’s collection and all.”

  “Of course.”

  “You sound like you don’t trust me on this.”

  “It’s not mistrust, it’s fear. I’m afraid to hear what you’ve done.”

  “Nothing dangerous. At least, nothing dangerous now that you’re here.”

  Dan squinted his eyes in a way that reminded me of the slitty-eyed billy goats on my grandfather’s farm. I knew I was headed for trouble, but I plunged forward anyway. The damage was done, the die cast, no turning back now. I blurted out my story in one long running breath.

  “See, I thought if Nelson Farthington was running this plant smuggling ring, I could trap him by saying I could get my hands on Ghost Orchid seeds, except I had no idea what the seeds might cost on the black market, so I told him I needed to introduce him to my partner and could we meet at El Provencal’s parking lot around nine tonight and cut a deal then.”

  Dan let out a noisy sigh. “And he agreed?”

  “He did, and he didn’t bat an eye, didn’t hesitate, didn’t flinch, didn’t—”

  “Please tell me you weren’t planning to deliver orchid seeds to him tonight.”

  “How could I? I don’t have any, and I haven’t the foggiest idea how to get them because it’s illegal to distribute the seeds without a license.”

  “So tonight is just a meeting to discuss cost?”

  “Correct. I didn’t even get any fake seeds because I know that would be entrapment and I didn’t want to lure him into thinking he was committing a crime and then get off scot-free.” Dan sat patiently by while I prattled on about entrapment. “I figured it’s not entrapment if we’re only meeting to discuss the possibility of an illegal deal.”

  “I’m impressed with your knowledge of the law, but entrapment applies to the conduct of law enforcement personnel, so you’re on safe ground.”

  I couldn’t believe my ears. “Meaning you won’t help me out?”

  “I didn’t say that. I’m guessing you intend to pass me off as a supplier, the low-life who does your dirty work for you, stealing the plants you purport to sell?”

  I shrugged an apology. “Something like that.”

  “I’ll give you my answer after dinner. I’d like to eat with a clear conscience,” he said. I studied his face as he added, “It’s better for the digestion.”

  I felt a huge weight fall from my shoulders. I knew he had just agreed to help, and I could enjoy my meal knowing Dan had my
back when I met with Nelson Farthington later.

  Our food arrived and we dawdled over our meals, which were really delicious—even the mussels, despite their appearance. Because I work alongside all kinds of animals and get to know them on a personal basis, I’m not fond of food that reminds me of an animal’s living state. It’s also the reason I shun pork or beef, or meat from any large animal. Turkeys are the biggest animal I consume, and even then I insist on knowing how they were raised and whether they were slaughtered in a humane fashion.

  Fortunately for me, the owner of Comfort’s Café is my neighbor and we’ve had long discussions over the years about where his restaurant’s food originates. I’ve made a believer out of him, which is another reason why Comfort’s is my favorite place to eat in Chestnut City.

  Shortly before nine and well after we’d finished our desserts, Dan glanced out the window and reached across the table for my hand. “Let’s do this, pardner,” he said, winking at me.

  He sounded exactly like one of my favorite movie stars.

  Chapter 62

  “Perhaps we should stay in the shadows,” I suggested, as Dan and I left the restaurant, “until we see Nelson arrive.”

  “We can wait in my pickup, but this is your show. Whatever you want.” I thought I detected amusement in his voice.

  “Your truck’s good. Where are you parked?”

  He pointed to his pickup, and I realized he’d parked in precisely the best observation point in the lot. I could only assume he had an inkling of what I was up to and decided to help before I ever explained the details. I hoped he wasn’t too good at mind reading. Some things, a girl likes to keep private.

  Dan took my hand and squeezed it as we walked over to our surveillance vehicle. Judging by the number of cars pulling into the lot, El Provencal was busier on a Monday night than the hostess indicated.

  Barely five minutes passed before I saw Nelson Farthington’s Porsche pull into the lot. I reached for the door handle beside me, but Dan stopped me.

  “Hold on a minute,” he said, “let’s see what he does.”

  We waited and so did Nelson.

  A thought hit me about what name to use when I introduced Dan. “What name should I use when I introduce you?”

  “Harry Callahan?”

  I grinned. “No, he’ll recognize that in a heartbeat.”

  “Harry Bosch.”

  “Try again.”

  “Joe Friday.”

  “That name’s old enough, it might not jog Nelson’s memory, but how about Joe Bosch?”

  “Works for me,” he said, leaning over and giving me a quick kiss.

  “He’s just sitting there,” I said, reminding Dan of our mission, “waiting for me to show up with my supplier.”

  “I know. We need to be cautious, that’s all. Make certain he isn’t waiting for his muscle to arrive.”

  “Muscle? You mean bodyguard? You think he’s bringing a hit man along on this deal?”

  “Just kidding you,” Dan said, nodding toward the side window. “But hey, look who’s here.” A white Cadillac pulled in next to Nelson’s. The driver’s side door opened and a familiar blonde head appeared above the doorframe.

  “Alice Pickett!” I nearly shouted her name before I caught myself. “I can think of other names for her besides muscle.”

  “Time to go.” Dan reached across my lap to lift the door handle. “Sorry for not going around.”

  “No problem.” I pushed open the door and grabbed the window ledge for balance as I slid my foot to the pavement. “Does Alice Pickett know who you are?”

  “I’ve never met the woman,” Dan said, “but I’ve seen her billboards all over town. She’s easy to spot.”

  “What do you think she’s doing here?”

  “We’ll soon find out.”

  As we neared Nelson’s car, he opened the door and stepped out, turning to Alice who stood waiting nearby. I noticed the look of surprise on Alice’s face when she saw me, but I wasn’t surprised to see her or to learn she and Nelson were running this smuggling ring together.

  What wouldn’t that woman do?

  I had a dozen things I wanted to say to Dan, but we were too close to Nelson, who was by this time holding out his hand to Dan.

  “Hi, Nelson,” I said. “This is my friend, Joe Bosch.”

  Alice stepped around Nelson, holding out her hand to Dan and ignoring me. “Hello, Joe. I’m Alice Pickett.”

  “I’ve seen your billboards,” Dan said. I struggled to suppress a smile.

  Alice turned to me next. “I’m surprised to see you here, Sam. Does your zoo know about your little hobby?”

  “Not unless you’ve told them.”

  “I might have mentioned it,” she said, in her blatantly blissful way. I couldn’t believe my ears. “But at the time,” she added, “I had no idea how right I was.”

  “Shining the spotlight away from yourself?” I asked, angry with her for trying to ruin my reputation.

  “You might say that, though if I’d known, we could become partners. I never would have sold you down the river.”

  “Turns out it’s not a problem,” I snapped, nearly matching her haughty tone. “From what I understand, I’m no longer under suspicion, thanks to Bob—or maybe to Nate.”

  She let my Nate comment go by without a flicker of interest. “I’m glad to hear it. Maybe we can begin working together,” she paused, “if your partner approves of me.” She gave Dan a seductive glance. I’ve often wanted to smack Alice Pickett, but now, I wanted to strangle her, especially when I heard Dan’s response.

  “What’s not to approve?” he said.

  I inhaled noisily as an amused look crossed Dan’s face.

  Alice turned to me with a ‘see how it’s done?’ expression that I ignored in the same way Alice seemed to be ignoring Nelson Farthington. I could barely catch my breath while she continued her conversation with Dan as though Nelson were stranded somewhere on Venus. “I understand you know how to get your hands on seeds that might interest us?”

  “I believe I can do better that,” Dan replied.

  I shot him a warning look, worried Alice might start asking questions about plants that he knew nothing about.

  “And what might that be?”

  “I specialize in Ghost Orchids,” he said.

  What was he saying? I thought back to my conversation with him. I never mentioned Ghost Orchids, only seeds from an illegal plant. What was going on here? I looked over at him, making no effort to hide my confusion.

  “I’m in the market,” Alice said, still focusing on Dan as Nelson leaned against his car, hands in his pockets. The casual observer, I thought. He doesn’t sell, he only buys. Had I mentioned Ghost Orchid seeds to Dan?

  “What are you willing to pay?” Dan asked.

  “Name your price,” Alice replied, “as long as it’s within reason. I have a good supply of buyers.”

  With that, the doors of two nearby cars flew open discharging a blonde woman and two men, all rushing toward us with guns drawn.

  Alice swung around in surprise as the blonde woman yelled, “Down on your knees everyone. Hands on top of your heads.”

  I grabbed Dan’s arm to steady my knocking knees as we bent down together. “Do as she says,” he said. “It’s okay.”

  “Cuff her,” the blonde said. I looked up expecting to feel cold steel encircling my wrists any moment. What had I done?

  Chapter 63

  In fact, the two SBI officers came nowhere near me. I looked around to see the pair bending Alice Pickett’s arms behind her back before snapping on a set of handcuffs and lifting her to her feet.

  “You’re a slippery one,” the blonde told Alice.

  By now, I guessed her to be Dan’s cousin, and she was even prettier than Jodie said.

  “The rest of you can stand up.”

  “Aren’t you arresting them, too?” Alice asked, nodding at me in particular.

  “We’ll sort them out later. Right n
ow, I’m interested in you.” The blonde motioned her partner to escort Alice to one of the waiting cars.

  Dan turned to me, helping me up. My knees were still weak. “Sam, I want to introduce you to my cousin, Carol Williams.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I stammered, extending a trembling arm in her direction.

  “I apologize if I scared the bejesus out of you,” she said, shaking my hand.

  “Well, I am a little nervous. What just happened here, anyway?”

  “I’m a bit confused myself,” Nelson said, having wandered up next to Dan and me.

  Dan gave me a sheepish grin and nodded to his cousin. “You can explain. I’m trying to stay out of the doghouse, here.” He put his arm around my waist and pulled me next to him. I didn’t resist. I was too numb, but I did wonder if his gesture was a way of letting Nelson Farthington know I wasn’t a free agent.

  Carol gave Nelson what I can only call a stricken look. I wondered if something more than crook-catching was going on between them. “I’ll explain in a minute,” she told Nelson before turning to me. “Nelson has been working with me to root out the plant smuggling ring in this area.”

  “No pun intended, right?” Nelson said, breaking the tension.

  “I’m sorry to say he suspected you, Sam, but we’d already done a workup on you earlier and I’d ruled you out.”

  “A workup?”

  “I mean, we’d checked you out and you were clean.”

  “How long had you suspected me?” I asked Nelson.

  “I’d rather not answer that question, Sam. Like Joe Bosch, here, I prefer to stay out of the doghouse, too.”

  “That’s really why you invited me to dinner isn’t it, to set me up? See if I’d offer you an illegal plant?”

  “No, really, no…”

  “It’s okay,” I said, “I suspected you, too, obviously, and…”

  Nelson laughed and shook his head. “Sounds like we wasted a lot of time suspecting each other. That’s one for the books.”