Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 03 - Roses are Dead (2 page)

Lily left with Rosie to get her errands done, arriving back with the shop in chaos. Blue lights from several marked and unmarked police cars were outside her shop. Her heart stopped.
Did something happen to Daisy or Iris?

The bell jingled as she walked in and everyone turned to stare at her.

A cop she had never seen before stepped toward her. “Lily Bloom?”

She n
odded, unable to find her voice, unable to process what the problem was.

“
I’m Detective Stewart. You’re under investigation for the death of Carla Sullivan.”

Ryan pulled up in front of Beautiful Blooms as Detective Stewart was escorting Lily to his car.
Rushing out of his car he gruffly asked, “What’s going on? Where are you taking Ms. Bloom?”

Detective
Stewart stopped to open the back door of his car. “About time you decided to show up, Chief Steele. We’ve got a person of interest here in connection with the death of Carla Sullivan.”

Ryan tried to maneuver Lily away from
the shorter, stouter and older Detective Stewart. “I’ll take over. This is my town’s business.”

Detective
Stewart’s stocky frame blocked Ryan’s attempt. “Sorry. I got called in on this one. I’ll let you sit in on the interrogation.” With that, he slammed the door closed, ignored Ryan and slid into the driver’s seat.

Lily was looking at Ryan through the window,
thinking,
did he go to visit Carla after all?

Ryan
froze as he watched the car drive off then jumped into action and followed it to the Misty Valley police station.

Lily was seated in a small room at a table with Detective Stewart sitting across from her.
Deputy Quinn was sitting in a chair by the wall and Police Chief Ryan Steele was leaning against the wall.

Detective Stewart glared at Lily before starting the questioning. “Lily,
your minivan was spotted on Main Street near the Cozy Motel around ten this morning.”

Silence followed that statement. Lily didn’t know if she was supposed to respond since he hadn’t asked her a question. She stared back at the
bulldog face, trying to look like he wasn’t intimidating her.

The
detective leaned forward with his hands spread on the table. “Did you hear me, Lily?”

“Yes I did.” Then she added as s
he saw the nametag on his shirt, “Vinnie.”

She c
ould see the muscles in his cheek tighten as he clenched his teeth. “That’s Detective Stewart to you.”

Lily smiled
coyly. “Sorry. I thought we were on a first name basis.”

Detective Stewart tried again. “Were you driving your minivan near the Cozy Motel at
ten this morning?”

“Well, Detective Stewart, there are a lot of minivans in this town, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“Ms. Bloom, your red minivan is very distinctive. Don’t you agree?”

Lily folded her arms in front of her chest
and replied with a hint of sarcasm, “I guess you could say that since it says Beautiful Blooms Flower Shop on the side and it’s covered with flowers.”

Vinnie’s
face muscles were getting tighter and tighter. “Do you agree that you and your van were in the vicinity of the Cozy Motel this morning at ten?”

“It’s possible. I picked up flowers at Jack’s Greenhouse and was on my way back to my shop. That would bring me past the Cozy Motel.”
She was starting to enjoy annoying this detective. She knew she hadn’t killed Carla and there wasn’t anything to tie her to the death. If all they had was someone seeing her minivan drive by the Cozy Motel, well, that wasn’t going to convict her.

“Do you know Carla Sullivan?”

“I wouldn’t say I
know
her. I met her this morning when she came into my flower shop.”

“Did you follow her to the Make Your Dreams Come True
Bridal Shop?” He paused for a sip of his coffee but his eyes never wavered from Lily’s face. “And did you have a heated argument with her?”

Lily studied Detective Stewart. His muscles bulged under his polo shirt like someone who work
ed out regularly at the gym. His short cut curly graying hair almost gave him a boyish look now that the muscles on his face had relaxed and his mouth was curled up in a ‘gotcha’ grin.

He leaned toward Lily.
“As a matter of fact, weren’t you arguing over a man?”

Lily’s gaze went immediately to Ryan’s stone face.
Why isn’t he defending me here
? Lily put her sweaty palms on the table in front of her and leaned as far as she could into Vinnie’s space. “You’ve got it all wrong. Vinnie. I thought I was helping a friend. It certainly wasn’t a fight
over
a man.”

Vinnie’s fists curled into tight knots. Lily’s heart raced but she wasn’t going to back down from his tactics. There were enough witnesses in the room that she was confident he wouldn’t risk physically harming her.

Vinnie stood up and pointed to Steele and Quinn who had been silent through the whole affair so far. “You two. Leave.” He kicked the door closed and turned back to face Lily.
So much for witnesses
. She stood up, grabbed her quilted tote and walked to the door.
Maybe I can just waltz out of here too
.

“Not so fast,
Ms. Bloom. We aren’t done yet.” His wide body blocked the door.

“I think we are. Unless you plan to charge me with a crime
, I’ve got a business to run. You know where you can find me.” She glared at him for three seconds before pushing past him, opening the door and leaving. Her legs were wobbly but she wasn’t going to give any of these cops the satisfaction of seeing her looking scared or weak. With her head held high, she managed to walk to her minivan on her trembling legs. She slid into the driver’s seat and clutched the steering wheel, trying to get her shaky body under control.

Ryan tapped on the window. Lily rolled it down and put on the coldest look she could summon. “Yes?”

“What do you think you were doing in there, Lily? Do you know who that detective is?”

Lily’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t care who he is. He tried to intimidate me about Carla’s death. I didn’t have anything to do with it. By the way, where were you at ten this morning
, Chief Steele?” With that, she started her minivan and drove off, watching in her mirror as the dust swirled around the man she thought might have been a part of her future.

By the time Lily got back to her shop, she had worked herself into a
tizzy. Iris and Daisy wanted to hear the whole story and not the condensed version. Lily filled them in, adding her outrage at Ryan for not explaining Carla’s background with him. “Can you believe it? I’m never speaking to him again.” As if on cue, she got a text from Ryan reminding her about their dinner date.

Lily held up her phone in exasperation. “He still expects me to go out to dinner with him.” She stomped around her shop, mumbling to herself about how dense he must be.

Iris held her by the shoulders. “You owe him a chance to explain.” She stared at Lily until Lily looked away with tears in her eyes. Her shoulders sagged and she slumped into the chair that Carla had sat in earlier that day.

Iris sat next to her. “Don’t you want to go and find out what he has to say?”

“Yes, but at the same time I’m so mad I don’t want to see him.” She looked at Iris hoping for understanding.

“Well, don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.
” Iris looked at Lily. “You know what that means, I hope.” Lily nodded. All the steam had vented.

“You’re right. I will go out with him. And he better have an incredible explanation or it will be the last time he sees me.”
She stamped her foot for emphasis.

They all laughed
. Lily got her glint back in her eyes. Iris said, “That Ryan Steele is way too hot to walk away after one little bitty argument.”

“Ew
w, eww, eww,” Lily and Daisy both squealed at the same time, covering their ears. “Not appropriate, Mom.”

“What are you talking about? You think I can’t appreciate a perfect piece of ma
le just because I’m in my fifties?”

“Appreciate all you want but please don’t tell us about it.
What would Dad be thinking of you ogling a younger man?”

“You may not want to hear this
, but he would want me to enjoy myself.” Iris posed like a model. “We had a lot of fun together and I don’t think he would want me to live like a monk.” Her eyes twinkled as she watched her daughters gag.

The door jingled and they watched
as Tamara Biotchi, the new director of the Misty Valley Museum, hustled into the shop. She prided herself on being the queen of gossip in Misty Valley and she needed to find out what was going on with Lily being taken to the police station. “Lily Bloom, what kind of mischief have you gotten yourself into now? Everyone coming into the museum is asking me for the details. Why me?”

Iris rolled her eyes
and said sarcastically. “Why you, indeed Tamara? I can’t imagine. What is the gossip out there?”

“Well,
” Tamara looked around as if there might be someone hiding behind the counter, “I heard,” she glanced at Lily, “I heard, that Lily got into a fight with Ryan Steele’s fiancé, followed her, and killed her.”

Tamara lowered her ample body into the chair, waiting to hear Lily’s story. “
Oh. Who’s this?” She leaned forward to let the black pup sniff her hand.

Iris picked up Poppy. “
You naughty girl. How did you escape from the back room?” Iris plopped the pup into Tamara’s lap. “This is Poppy. I’m fostering her for the guide dog program.”

Tamara picked up Poppy and gazed into her eyes. “This is one adorable puppy.
You won’t be able to keep her?”

“That will be the hard part. I have her until she’s about a year and a half old
, then she goes to someone else for more training. So, Tamara, get on with your story.”

She got as comfortable as possible, enjoying being the center of attention. “Well, I heard, that there’s a new muscular
, tattooed and, some are saying, quite sexy detective in town that escorted Lily to the police station.” She cocked her eyebrows for confirmation on that point. “Rachel Howard, the owner of Make Your Dreams Come True, overheard Lily having an argument with the woman who was found dead.”

Iris clucked her tongue. “Uh huh, that certainly makes Lily the murderer, now doesn’t
it?”

Tamara’
s face blushed as she stammered, “I, ah, well, that’s what people are saying. And,” she pulled herself together and paused for effect, “red roses were found in her motel room. All torn apart.”

Lily had been quietly making corsages for
a big wedding coming up until she heard that bit of information. “What did you say?” Her face was drained of color as she walked closer to Tamara.

Tamara smiled smugly. “Red roses in the motel room? Did you bring them Lily? Your minivan was seen
near the Cozy Motel just before the body was found.”

They all looked when the door jingled and Jennifer walked in. Lily smiled to herself remembering when she first saw Jennifer arrive at Ryan’s house and get out of her mustang with a suitcase. She admitted
now that she was jealous even though at the time, only a few months ago, she denied that accusation from Daisy. It was a relief when she found out that Jennifer was Ryan’s sister and not Lily’s competition.

“Hi Jennifer. Where’s Katie?”

The door closed behind her. “I just dropped her off at a play group. I met a nice group of moms and we all take turns watching each other’s kids.”

Jennifer was one of those natural beauties
; about five six, slim and never had to do anything to make herself look better—no makeup, nothing fancy with her curly red hair, comfortable clothes. The kind of woman who was oblivious when men turned to stare. The kind of woman who you would love to hate but she was so nice, you couldn’t help but want to be her best friend. Lily sighed, thinking that life just wasn’t fair sometimes to give so much to one person.

Lily got back to work with the wedding flowers. This bride had been easy for a change. She took Lily’s advice about
using local flowers from Jack’s Greenhouse and it was a pleasure working with her. Tamara got up from her chair, said her goodbyes and said she would be back if she had any more news.

Jennifer saw Poppy and was drawn to her immediately. “You got a puppy?”
she said looking at Lily.

Lily shook her head. “No, she’s
Mom’s.”

Iris poked her head out of the office. “Hey, you’re becoming an escape artist. Jennifer, can you bring Poppy back here. She’s supposed to stay out of the way of the customers.”

Jennifer gladly picked up the wiggly pup and let Poppy lick her face. “I know someone who will want to see this one. I’ll have to come back with Katie after her play group.” Jennifer’s face took on a serious look as she walked over to Lily’s design table. “I’m really sorry about Carla.”

Lily stopped what she was doing and looked up at Jennifer with a puzzled expression. “Sorry? About what?”

“Oh. I thought Ryan would have told you by now.”

“I haven’t talked to Ryan. I’ve only had the pleasure of being grilled by that bulldog detective, Vinnie Stewart
.” Lily wrinkled her nose at that memory. “What about Carla? Did you know her?”

Jennifer
cleared her throat, obviously lost for words. “I, ah, well, yes. She was my best friend, until she dumped Ryan.”

Lily, Daisy and Iris all looked at Jennifer with shocked expressions. Iris got her a chair. “Here. Sit. This sounds like you have a story for us. Lily certainly needs information
since the bulldog detective is trying to make it look like Lily was at the scene of the crime.”

Lily sputtered, “Hey, slow down M
om. No one has even said it’s a crime. At least I haven’t heard anything. She looked around at the others. Is there something you haven’t told me?”

Iris waved her hand at Lily. “Let’s hear what Jennifer has to say first.”

Lily was steaming.
What haven’t they told me
?

Jennifer got comfy in the chair and Sweet Pea, the flower shop kitty, curled up in Jennifer’s lap.
It was Sweet Pea’s chair but she was always happy to have a lap to share it with. Jennifer stroked Sweet Pea. “Carla moved next door when Ryan and I were kids. She was my age, ten, and we became best friends as soon as she invited me over to swing in her tire swing hanging from a big old oak tree. We were always together, either at my house or hers. Inseparable.” Jennifer looked up at the others staring at her. “Ryan is three years older and Carla always had a crush on him. He used to tease her and he treated her like another annoying sister. Everyone assumed they would get married someday. By everyone, I mean me and Carla. Ryan wasn’t on board with that idea for a long time. He was more interested in sports and studying. He always wanted to be a cop and he wasn’t going to let anything distract him from that goal.”

Lily started working again. Her hands could be busy while she listened to this story. Daisy went out front to help some customers and Iris was sitting with Poppy fast asleep in her lap.

“So anyway, Ryan finally fell in love with Carla. All his friends were getting married and he saw how happy they were. I think that might have had something to do with it.” Jennifer paused like she was thinking about something painful. “Once Ryan was in love with her, Carla lost interest.” Lily felt herself gasp, feeling sorry for Ryan. “I realized it was all about the chase for Carla. Guys were always after her and she could have anyone but she wanted what she couldn’t have. Until she could have it. Then the game wasn’t fun for her anymore.” A tear slowly slid down her cheek. “That all happened around the time my parents were killed in a car accident. Carla didn’t want to add to Ryan’s misery, so she accepted his marriage proposal. I was worried. I knew Carla so well, I could read her like a cheap novel and I didn’t like where the story was heading.” She wiped away the tears. “When Adam May, Ryan’s best friend, showed interest, it ruined Ryan’s friendship with Adam but I was secretly happy. Carla went off with Adam and, in my opinion, did Ryan the best favor of his life. Of course, Ryan didn’t see it that way.” Jennifer glanced at Lily. “Until he met you.”

Lily’s heart was pounding with compassion for Ryan’s pain and with joy that it brought Ryan to Misty Valley and right next door to her.

Lily carried some flowers into the cooler and brought out others for the centerpiece arrangements. “How does that all tie into Carla showing up in Misty Valley?”

Jennifer stood up, putting Sweet Pea on the chair to curl up by herself. Sweet Pea mewed as if to say
she’d prefer that nice warm lap to stay. Jennifer walked to the opposite side of Lily’s design table. “Carla contacted me through Facebook a few weeks ago. She said she wanted to repair our friendship and where was I living. Like a fool, I believed her and told her where I was and that Ryan was the Police Chief here in Misty Valley. She asked more questions, especially about Ryan, and I told her Ryan had moved on and had met a wonderful person.”

Lily asked in barely a whisper
, “Did you tell her anything about me? She acted like we were best friends when she came into the shop this morning.”

Jennifer looked away. “I did tell her about you. I thought that would make her realize that Ryan had moved on.
” She winced. “I think it back fired. It made her want him again. Ya know, she was back to wanting what she couldn’t have.”

Lily shook her head. “It’s not your fault. It all makes sense what you told her. The problem is that Carla seemed to have a screw loose and she didn’t process information in a sensible way. Thanks for telling me t
his. I was starting to think that Ryan had been in contact with Carla. I have to say, it was extremely weird this morning—the way she acted as if the wedding was still on.” Jennifer didn’t know all the details of Carla’s visit to Beautiful Blooms so Lily filled her in.

“That sounds strange
, even for Carla’s standards. I don’t know what she’s been doing since she walked out of Ryan’s life but we need to find out.” Jennifer glanced at her watch. “I have to pick up Katie. See you later.” She scooted out.

Lily finished up the centerpieces and checked to make sure they were all
balanced. These centerpieces were a mixture of colorful dahlias, snapdragons and dianthus. It was a barn wedding so she used canning jars for the vases. Twelve centerpieces, all with a mixture of colors, and Ellie was going to sprinkle rose petals on the tables too. The barn had been transformed into an elegant but rustic setting with hundreds of tiny white lights strung around the rafters and the walls, white linen table cloths, china place settings and crystal goblets. The groom had an awesome idea to fill a canoe with ice and put all the beer, wine and soda in that. They made it unique and stylish but at the same time casual with plenty of space in the barn and the surrounding fields freshly mowed with hills in the background. It was the kind of wedding Lily would want
if
she ever got to that point in her life.

“Hey Daisy. Do you have time to help me figure out what to wear on my date tonight?”

Daisy grinned. “Of course. Nothing I’d like better. I’ll bring over some dresses for you to choose from.”

Iris picked up Poppy and headed to the door. “I have to meet
my friend Marigold at home. She joined a book group at the library and is loving the discussions. The group has accommodated her by picking a book that is also on audio. She keeps trying to get me to come along but it’s not really my thing. Have a good time tonight Lily.”

Iris opened
the door just as, Vinnie “The Bulldog” Stewart was reaching his hand to open it from the outside. He looked Iris up and down. “Well, hello there.” He dipped his head in a greeting. “That’s one spunky pup you’ve got in your arms.”

Iris twinkled from the compliment and the attention from the attractive guy hidden in a tough package. “Come on in. This is my daughter’s flower shop.” She cupped her hand around her mouth and whispered. “Don’t look so surprised. Everyone tells me I don’t look old enough to be her mother.” Iris winked and decided to hang around to see what he was up to.

Lily saw who walked in and she felt her stomach twist in a knot.
What did he want now?
she wondered. And why was Iris flirting with him?