Blood on the Orchids by Jill Steele

Author:Jill Steele
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, hawaii, orchids, big island, volcano, twisty
Publisher: Jill Steele
Published: 2018-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

18

Wilsonara Calico Gem

At least one hundred and fifty people were lined up, waiting at the gate of Jenson’s Nursery at noon for the 1 p.m. opening. After many excited orchid collectors had entered Cindy announced, “Welcome to Jenson’s Annual Holiday Open House. If you are planning on making a purchase of more than two plants, there are trays over here by the entrance to make your shopping easier. Also, there are baked goods and hot apple cider for sale in the courtyard. Proceeds will be donated-”

She was interrupted by someone in the crowd yelling. “Are you kidding, didn't someone die by poison here a few months ago? I don’t know about all of you but I for one will not be eating anything while I’m here!”

Jenny couldn’t see who was speaking from where she was.

She looked at Cindy, who’s face had turned bright red and who was clearly at a loss for words. Alan stepped up to the microphone and said, “All of the baked goods for this event were made with love by my loyal employees. Would you please raise your hands if you baked anything on this table? All proceeds from the refreshments will be donated to the Hawaii Island Food Bank to help those less fortunate than ourselves have a good holiday. We hope you enjoy yourselves while you’re here and wish you luck finding just the right orchids either for gifts or for your homes.”

Jenny’s job was to walk around the greenhouse and answer questions about orchids, making sure people were only taking plants from the sale tables. She looked across the greenhouse and spied a woman that had strayed over to Alan’s, and what used to be Ellen’s section. It was clearly roped off as an area that was off limits. The woman was probably harmless. Jenny saw that she was taking selfies with all of the colorful orchids as a backdrop. Jenny skidded, hurrying over to reach her and almost fell on an uneven bit of ground. She felt something prick the bottom of her foot. She lifted her shoe to see what it was. It was an earring. It must have been under the packed dirt that had loosened up when she skidded. She could swear she’d seen it before but couldn’t remember on whom. She put it in her jacket pocket. She’d figure it out later.

“This area is off limits,” Jenny said. “Can I help you find something?”

The woman said, “I’m sorry, all of the wild colors. I just couldn’t resist coming over here. The ones over here are really special. They seem untamed if you know what I mean.”

The woman wore a colorful aloha shirt, probably purchased on a cruise ship or at the famous Hilo Hattie’s, and a khaki skirt. Jenny knew she was a tourist because her clothing looked freshly ironed and she wore the traditional foot gear of the tourist, Teva sandals.

Jenny said, “You’re right, it is looking awfully wild.” This area had been neglected since Ellen’s death

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