As you'll recall from last week's episode of Stan and Ollie, they are now in Cortez, Mississippi, trying to solve the death of Consuelo Fairchild, daughter of the Tulip King. While investigating in Bo's Blossoms, they spy the fiance! Enjoy, then be sure to visit the other briefers, whose links follow my tale!
We make a hasty exit from the flower shop, keeping a close
eye on our target. Flower in hand, the geneticist threads his way among the
pedestrians on the sidewalk, while we maintain a discreet distance behind
him. I am totally baffled as to the
meaning behind the single flower. Many
possibilities, but speculation is futile at this moment.
Usually, when someone is murdered, friends and family become
the first suspects, beginning with the wife or husband of the deceased. In this
case, fiancé. Granted, we have no proof that Consuelo was murdered, but it has
been our experience that people who die peacefully do not lose their way such
as those who’ve met with violence do.
So Egbert is a natural person of interest. His actions are
odd, although not necessarily suspicious. Yet.
Ollie still wears his minion about his neck like a cheap
boa. That doesn’t stop me from keeping as close to him as possible, ignoring
her hisses of displeasure, our arms linked together as we tail Egbert. He ducks
down a side street and we follow.
To my surprise, the street ends abruptly a short distance
before us. Or rather it leads to something else. The entrance to a public park.
That’s something unexpected. The lights of this park are just beginning to
flicker on, but visibility is still decent, at least for now. We should be able to keep him under
surveillance. And if push comes to
shove, we have a secret weapon or two up our sleeves.
He walks with a purpose, not looking around, not pausing for
anything or anyone, the single tulip clasped firmly in his hand.
It’s a pleasant little park, as such things go. Obligatory
grass dotted with beds of variegated flowers, perhaps courtesy of Bo’s
Blossoms. Swings and a jungle gym, seesaws and a merry-go-round for the kiddies
to occupy themselves with. And a small
pond, across which lies an arched bridge. Under other circumstances, I’d
consider it romantic. Maybe…
Ollie and I exchange glances. His gaze moves upward, and I follow it with
my own. Stars begin to twinkle in the backdrop of the sky. I’ve never been what
you call a stargazer, but now they can’t help but remind me of Ollie’s
beautiful eyes, the way they sparkle and shine.
When I was a little kid, back when Gwin and I were a lot
younger, Mom told us when you wish upon a star, your voice reaches to the
heavens and God hears your wish and grants it. I didn’t really believe her
then, even if Gwin and I spent a lot of time muttering our heartfelt wishes to
the sky. Then I grew up and forgot about it. Until the night my every wish came
true—the night that Ollie stepped into my life.
Wait. Momentarily blindsided by my own reverie, I spy Egbert
standing atop the bridge. And he’s not alone. Damn, we’re too far away to
listen. Time to send in the auxiliary troops.
Ollie unwinds Xylina from about his neck, sets her on her
feet, and she races toward the bridge.
We take a strategic position where we can see everything perfectly
without being noticed, although we’re too far away to hear. But that problem
will be solved momentarily.
A woman stands beside Egbert on the footbridge. Egbert
doesn’t seem to notice her, intent upon the water below. Xylina slinks onto the
bridge; they pay her no attention. Whatever she hears, Ollie will hear. And if he
and I touch, I can hear as well. That is only part of the bond between them. At
this moment, it’s a useful thing.
“How long are you going to keep doing this?” That’s the
woman.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean just that. How long are you going to wait for a
woman who’s obviously run off and left you at the altar?”
“Donna, please…” I can hear annoyance in Egbert’s voice. He
doesn’t turn toward her. In fact, I think he takes a step away, but she closes
the distance between them once again. She reaches for his arm, lays her hand on
it.
“I’m sorry, but I hate to see you hurt—”
“She didn’t leave me, and I wish you’d not talk about
Consuelo like that… She might be hurt… she might be kidnapped… you don’t know…”
“If she was kidnapped, there’s be a ransom note, wouldn’t
there? Honey, I know you love her, just like I do. Consuelo is my best friend,
and I hate to say it, but I think she’s playing spoiled heiress. Gone away to
have some fun somewhere else. It’s how she is.”
Wow. With friends like that, Consuelo doesn’t need enemies.
“It is not.” His voice is filled with indignation. “You
don’t know her as well as you think.” He shrugs off her hand and steps away
from her, holding the single tulip upraised.
“Come back to me, Consuelo. Come back soon, my
darling.” He brings the flower to his
lips and kisses it reverently before tossing it toward the pond. I see it poised for a moment, a dark
silhouette against the night sky, before it drops from view onto the water
below. He turns away from the woman at his side and makes his way across the
bridge, never looking back. She stands there, as if undecided, but doesn’t
follow, muttering a fairly decent collection of curse words beneath her
breath. I think we’ve heard enough.
“Come back,” Ollie murmurs, and too soon we’ve been rejoined
by her majesty.
“Interesting.” That’s my comment.
“He loves her, Stan, we have to help him.” I hear the pain
in his voice; draw him near to me, stroking his blond curls.
“We will,” I promise.
I hold him close, soothing him, until an all too familiar female voice
draws my attention.
“Well, well, if it isn’t a small world after all. What are
you two doing in Nowhere, Mississippi?”
Damn the fourth estate anyway.
to be continued
Now see what my fellow Briefers are up to!
Cia Nordwell m/m
Lily Sawyer m/m
MC Houle m/m
Victoria Adams m/f
Elizabeth Morgan m/f
Nephylim m/m
Tali Spencer m/m
Until next time, take care!
♥ Julie
