Trouble In Bloom

  He smiled. "Are you questioning my craftsmanship?"

  "Never!"

  "Your bathroom is good as new too."

  "You're a miracle worker."

  "If you want to say so."

  "I do." I kissed his cheek on my way up the stairs.

  "Oh Nina?"

  "Yeah?"

  "I put your shopping bags in your room. Some interesting items in there."

  I felt my cheeks color.

  "Do I sense a hitched in your future?"

  I tossed a chunk of cookie dough at his head. His laughter followed me up the stairs.

  I marveled at my room for a good fifteen minutes. The wood floors looked amazing, the tile in the bathroom sparkled. All the fixtures were attached and worked. I fl ushed the toilet three times just because I could.

  Happy, I ran and jumped into my feather bed and picked up the cordless phone from the nightstand. First I called my mother. She gushed for ten minutes about how wonderful Kit was, how she'd fired the construction crew, and speculated about who was moving in across the street. Her money was on Brickhouse.

  I fluffed a down pillow. "This is going to sound strange, but do you know the real name of the picketer with the buzz cut?"

  "Ralph Insprucker. Why?"

  I rooted around the nightstand drawer for paper and a pencil, and finally found both. I jotted Ralph's name down. "Just curious."

  "You're lying to your mama!"

  "Am not. I've got to go, I need to return Maria's call."

  "She's in bed for the night, chérie."

  Okay, I crossed her off my list. "Then I need to call Bobby."

  "Are you lying to your mama?"

  I smiled. "I'd never."

  Before I tried Bobby, though, I called Tam. "Did I wake you?"

  "Do you hear that?"

  Nic screamed in the background. "Yeah. Maybe I should call back tomorrow."

  "No! Ian has her while I'm on the phone. Make this call as long as possible. I can't believe I missed all this. What was I thinking?"

  I laughed. "That you love them?"

  "Right. That."

  "Well, I was just wondering if you were up for a little freelance computer work?"

  "Work?" she said really loudly. "Sure, I'd love to do some work for you right now." She sounded positively giddy.

  "It doesn't have to be right now," I said.

  "Shhhh!"

  Smiling, I gave her two names to do background searches on. She was whistling hi-ho, hi-ho, off to work I go as she hung up.

  I rooted through the plastic Kroger bag that now acted as my purse and found my cell phone. I scrolled through the numbers, found the one I was looking for. He answered on the third ring. "Nels? This is Nina Quinn. I need a favor . . . "

  When I was done with him, I stared at the phone, wondering about calling Bobby.

  Finally, I dialed, then hung up before the call went through.

  Dialed again a minute later.

  Hung up.

  I did that three more times before I let the phone ring. Mac answered. "Hi, Mac. It's Nina. Is Bobby there?"

  "In the shower, sweetie pie. Want me to have him call you back?"

  "Yeah."

  "And Nina?"

  "Yeah, Mac?"

  "I'm sorry about everything."

  "It's okay."

  "Bobby's done good for himself with you. Good night."

  "Good night."

  I stretched out on my bed, more comfortable than I'd been in months, and waited for Bobby to call.

  He never did.

  Twenty-Two

  Early the next morning I found myself on the road to Lowther House, my cell phone pressed to my ear.

  "You'd be amazed at how many Ralph Inspruckers there are," Tam said. My cell phone crackled. "Good tip on St. Blaise. I hacked into their accounts, and sure enough Ralph has a couple of kids who attend. Got a pen?"

  I rooted around my Kroger bag, pulled out a pen and notepad. "Yep."

  She ticked off all the essentials I needed to track Ralph down. I had a plan to find out exactly who hired him to picket my house, because it sure as heck hadn't been any morality group.

  "And, Nina . . . ?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Bobby's grandfather has a rap sheet dating back to

  1934. Lots of petty theft, fraud. Looks like the quintessential con man to me."

  I'd figured, but it was nice to have the confirmation. "I'm almost at Lowther House now. I need to get this all straightened out."

  "What are you going to do?" Tam asked.

  "I'm not sure."

  "Good plan," Tam mocked.

  "Don't you need a nap or something?"

  She yawned. "Now that is a good plan."

  I thanked her, hung up, and put my truck into park.

  I'd canceled my 9:00 A.M. emergency meeting at TBS. Now I just had to return Minnie's ring. It took a while of arguing with my conscience, but I finally decided what Pippi didn't know wouldn't hurt her. The ring would be back in Minnie's possession before I left.

  As I walked up the front steps, I had to admit Roxie and Nels's speculation had gotten to me, and maybe a little bit of Ana's morbidity too. I couldn't figure out why Pippi was so adamant the police not be called to investigate. What did she not want them to see? To find out?

  I punched in the code Pippi had given me for the front door and was grateful it still worked. I climbed the stairs slowly, quietly. If anyone asked why I was there, I was simply checking to see how the mini turned out.

  In the atrium, I smiled. The mini had turned out beautifully. Water cascaded down shimmering stone and pooled in the pond. The plants would fill in over time, creating more of a natural look, but even as it was, it was relaxing and peaceful, a hint at the great outdoors inside.

  "Ms. Quinn, good to see you," Monique Umberry said.

  "Hello there."

  Her husband stood by her side. "Beautiful job you did."

  I looked around for Minnie. She wasn't with them. "Thank you."

  "Very sneaky of Pippi to trick us so," she added.

  "Yes, well, it's the nature of the surprise."

  "And I do so love surprises!" Monique gushed. "Especially this one. The indoor garden in so very wonderful. A year-round oasis of tranquility."

  Smiling, I realized this was exactly why I loved my job. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."

  "Would you care to join us for a game of poker?" William held up a bag of peanut M&Ms.

  "Those are my kind of stakes, but I really can't stay. Do you know if Pippi is around?"

  "She's in the greenhouse last I heard. Do you want me to get her for you?" Monique asked.

  "Thank you, but stay, enjoy your game. I'll buzz her on the intercom."

  I left the pair to their game. Downstairs, I looked at the intercom. To push or not to push?

  For some reason I felt the need to surprise Pippi, to catch her off guard. I slipped a small piece of paper out of my pocket, typed the numbers into the keypad.

  Nels had come through for me.

  The door released, and I pushed it open. Oak fl ooring gleamed under recessed lights. Beautiful artwork graced the walls. There were no tables or chairs lining the hallway, probably in deference to Minnie's wheelchair.

  A sweet smell lingered in the air as I walked along, and I couldn't quite place the scent. I counted four thick wood doors with raised panels and brass numbers. The one farthest on my left was open. Minnie sat in front of the TV, watching SportsCenter. I knocked.

  She looked up, tipped her head. "Do I know you?"

  "We met the other day? My name is Nina."

  "Oh."

  I held out my hand and she looked at it for a second before taking it. In a blink, I used my left hand to cover hers. I slipped the ring onto her finger, much like Mac had probably gotten it off.

  "Your hands are cold," she said.

  "Cold hands, warm heart?"

  A flash of clarity filled her eyes. "Cold hands, need mittens."

&nbsp
; I laughed. And breathed out in relief. She hadn't noticed.

  Luxuriously appointed with silk fabrics, pricy antiques, and even a flat screen TV, no expense had been spared on Minnie's room.

  A large picture window looked out into the courtyard from her kitchenette. There was a perfect view of the greenhouse. From where I sat, I could see Pippi moving about, back and forth.

  "Minnie, it was nice seeing you again."

  The distant look returned to her gaze. "Who are you?"

  "I'm Nina."

  "Oh. Did the Cubs win last night? I can't recall."

  I checked the ticker running along the bottom of the screen. "Three to one."

  "Good."

  She continued to watch the newscast as I slipped out the door, feeling all at once sad for her yet relieved too. She didn't seem frustrated by her condition, and from my quick perusal, she had the best of care.

  I turned left at the end of the hall and came to a pair of French doors leading to the courtyard. They weren't locked.

  Following the cobblestone path to the door of the greenhouse, I took a deep breath and walked in.

  Pippi turned in alarm, spraying water in my direction. Once she realized what she was doing, she turned off the hose.

  I wiped my face with the back of my hand.

  "Oh my! I'm so sorry. You startled me."

  I took a look around. My mouth dropped open.

  "Oh my," Pippi said again.

  This time it had nothing to do with getting me wet.

  I immediately knew why Pippi hadn't wanted the police involved.

  Ana, Roxie, and Nels would be disappointed—there weren't any dead bodies. There were, however, several marijuana plants. I suddenly placed the sweet smell I'd noticed earlier.

  I couldn't believe my eyes. "Pippi . . . "

  She dropped the hose, wrung her hands. "I can explain."

  * * *

  Fussing with the clasp on her overalls, Pippi wouldn't look at me. "It's only a matter of time before medicinal marijuana becomes legalized. Here at Lowther House we strive to make our residents' lives as comfortable as possible, especially when they are in pain. This is a natural solution to taking three, four, sometimes five prescription painkillers."

  I fingered a marijuana leaf. The plants were full, healthy. "This is why you didn't want the police involved in the disappearance of Minnie's ring?"

  "They wouldn't understand, Nina."

  Trying to imagine Kevin's reaction to this stash, I bit back a smile. He was a stickler for Just Say No.

  "I've long been a supporter of alternative therapy. And it's not just me. There's a lot of support in the community, all on a hush-hush basis, of course."

  Of course. I remembered Kit once telling me Daisy's job involved pharmaceuticals. "Is Daisy one of your supporters?"

  Pippi finally met my gaze. Curiosity burned in her blue eyes. "Daisy Bedinghaus? I wasn't aware you knew her."

  "We have a mutual friend." Bedinghaus. I hadn't known her last name until now.

  "Daisy is an ardent supporter. She makes it her business to be."

  "Her business?"

  "Yes, through her Heavenly Hope Holistic Healing center."

  "Right, right," I murmured.

  "What are you going to do, Nina?" Pippi wrung her hands.

  Just call me Nina Colette Progressive Thinking Ceceri Quinn, but I didn't mind the marijuana so much, as long as it was being used medicinally. I'd heard a lot about its benefits to those in pain. Who was I to decide whether it was right or wrong? That was up to some Supreme Court somewhere or another.

  Checking my watch, I edged toward the door. "I need to be going, Pippi." I pulled a card from my wallet. "I know you're more than capable, but if you need help with your indoor garden, give this company a call." It was a blatant plug for my friend Lea's indoor landscaping maintenance business. She was just starting out and needed the word of mouth.

  Pippi took the card. "What are you going to do, Nina?"

  "Do?" Actually, I was going to go home, grab Riley, and implement Operation Buzz.

  "About," she motioned around us, "all this?"

  My eyebrows dropped. "All what?"

  She opened her mouth to explain, then caught on. "Oh." The corners of her mouth pulled tight in a wide smile. "Thank you. I owe you one, Nina."

  A cool blast of autumn air whooshed into the greenhouse as I pushed open the door. "Good-bye, Pippi."

  "Nina?"

  Over my shoulder I noticed Pippi worried her lip.

  "I hate to bring this up right now, but feel I must. Did you speak to your employees about Minnie's ring?"

  "I did," I lied.

  "And?"

  "Nothing."

  "Oh dear."

  The small courtyard acted as a minivortex. Leaves swirled around and around. I pushed the hair out of my eyes. "I'll call you if I learn anything."

  She breathed deeply. "Please do. It's an heirloom."

  "I'm sure it will turn up."

  She looked skeptical. I smiled as I walked out the door.

  * * *

  I was on my way home when my cell rang. I never did have my ring tone changed. Now it was growing on me.

  I didn't recognize the number but answered just in case. "Hello?"

  "Ms. Quinn, this is Duke."

  Uh-oh.

  I had a good idea who'd given him my cell number.

  "Meet me tonight, five-thirty, at the gym. Don't be late."

  He hung up.

  My muscles quivered in fear at the sound of his voice. What had I gotten myself into?

  Madonna's voice filled the cab of my truck again. Fearing it might be Duke, calling back, I almost didn't answer. Good thing my sensible side kicked in and looked at the caller ID: Bobby. "Hi," I said.

  "Mac just now told me you called last night," he said. "I'm sorry."

  "I wasn't worried," I lied. I'd been up half the night worrying why he wasn't calling, and spent most of the morning trying to dissect our relationship.

  Then I'd remembered Perry's advice.

  It was time to let the magic happen. On its own. One day at a time. I decided to go along for the ride, bumpy as it might be.

  "About Mac—" he started.

  I cut him off. "Did I ever tell you my cousin Lou is wanted in four states for hijacking semi trailers and selling the goods at interstate flea markets? Or that my great-uncle Joe has done time for insurance fraud, or that my nana Ceceri once spent a night in jail for feeding money into downtown parking meters?"

  "You can go to jail for that?"

  "Well, I think the charge came from hitting the meter maid upside the head when she tried to stop Nana."

  He laughed.

  "My point is, there's a lot we still need to learn about each other, and each others' families. There's time."

  "More now."

  "Why's that?"

  "Are you driving?" he asked.

  Dread tickled the nape of my neck. Hairs there stood on end. "Yes."

  "Pull over."

  Without using my blinker, I cut across two lanes of traffic on 75 south and pulled onto the berm. I hit the button for my hazard lights. "I'm over."

  "I didn't get a chance to tell you last night, and I'd really like to tell you in person—"

  "Now. Now would be good."

  His laughter came through the phone loud and clear. "I quit my job, Nina."

  My heart leapt into my throat. "You what?"

  "I realized the most important things in my life were here. This is where I need to be."

  Cars whooshed past. My heart rate beat just as fast. "Oh."

  "I've bought a place."

  "What's that I hear in your voice?"

  "What?"

  "Mischievous . . . ness," I added. Brickhouse would have a field day if she'd heard me. I had a sudden thought, about the SOLD sign across the street from me. "You didn't!"