Deathryde: Rebel Without a Corpse by Michael P Naughton

Author:Michael P Naughton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby

Chapter 19

GLADWIN STOOD LOOKING AT HIS REFLECTION in the cooler of sunflowers at Daisy Acres Floral Creations shop. He was startled by a friendly “hello” from behind the counter. He turned to an attractive woman in her mid-sixties. This was Daisy Acres, owner and full time floral arranger.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“You’re Daisy Acres?” Gladwin said as he handed her his business card. The plain white card simply read:

Detective Hank Hellion Gladwin

F-B-I, Special Agent

“Is this about the credit card fraud, Mr. Gladwin?” Daisy seemed amused, almost toying with him.

“I wish it were that simple,” Gladwin said. “Do you recall any recent arrangements being delivered to Westwood Memorial?

“No, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Daisy said. “I suppose I can check with my driver.”

Gladwin had noticed her looking at the sunflowers in the cooler while she was thinking.

Gladwin said, “Is your driver here?”

“No, I’m afraid not. He’s gone for the day... slacker.” She laughed.

“Then I would assume you keep a logbook of some sort?”

“Of course.”

He followed her around to the counter and watched her rummage through brown paper, stems, vases, and underneath stacks of newspapers.

She stopped for a moment and then looked up at Gladwin. An epiphany.

“Yes, I do remember that day,” she said. “He took an extra lunch... said he had an audition... Actors! It was Monday.”

“Perhaps you could give him a call,” Gladwin said, “and jar his memory.”

Daisy picked up the phone and started dialing, then slammed down the phone, startling Gladwin.

“Nicolas Ray,” she shouted.

You mean Ray Driscol, aka “Quincy,” Gladwin thought to himself.

“Yes,” she said, “Nicolas Ray was the man who ordered the arrangements. He was calling from Michigan. Claimed he was a fan of Monroe, Martin and...” She seemed to be having a senior moment, so Gladwin filled in the blanks.

“Bugsy Siegel?”

“Yes, Bugsy Siegel.”

She continued on, “Yes, that was the third one, but he, of course, is buried at Hollywood Forever. So two arrangements went to Westwood Memorial and one went to Hollywood Forever.”

She glanced back at the cooler and at the sunflowers.

“Sunflowers. All three bouquets. Just like the ones over there that you were staring at when you came in, Detective Gladwin.”

Gladwin paused for a moment and started to browse nearby items. His eyes stopped on a crystal unicorn. He picked it up and examined it.

“You see, Detective Gladwin,” she said, “when you came in, I thought you were investigating the credit card fraud.”

“Credit card fraud?” Gladwin said, but didn’t follow.

“Yes,” Daisy said. “A few weeks ago we hired a part-time gal from Orange County. She was only here a week or so, claimed to be taking classes at UCLA. She complained about her student loans and boyfriend and broken family, you name it. Anyway, I got several customer complaints about suspicious charges and then requests for chargebacks on credit cards, and well... I thought you were—”

“I wish it were that simple, Ms. Acres.” Gladwin said as he smiled. He seemed fond of the crystal unicorn. He flipped it over and looked at the gold ‘Made In China’ label on the bottom.

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