A Deadly Dedication by Margaret Loudon

Author:Margaret Loudon [Loudon, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

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* * *

Penelope had just crossed the street when the wind kicked up and blew a bit of dust into her eye. She stopped in front of the Crown Jewels for a moment and blinked rapidly while tears washed the speck away. She glanced in the window of the shop and was surprised to see that they were already anticipating the holiday season, with tiny white lights outlining the window and a display of engagement rings arranged against a black velvet background.

As soon as her eye stopped watering, Penelope continued down the block to Bloomers and pushed open the door. The air in the shop was perfumed with the scent of flowers and the glass display cases were foggy with condensation.

A man was at the counter and, when he turned his head slightly, Pen realized it was Terry Jones from the Sweet Tooth. The girl behind the counter was taking down an address, so Pen assumed that whatever he’d ordered was being delivered to someone.

The clerk ran his credit card and handed it back to him. She smiled brightly.

“Thank you and I’ll see you next year.”

Terry looked at Penelope as he passed her, giving her a small nod of acknowledgment.

The clerk leaned on the counter. She had blond hair pulled back in a ponytail and was wearing an apron with a ruffled bodice and Bloomers embroidered in flowery script across the front.

“He comes in every year on the same day,” she said in low tones, “and always orders flowers to be sent to the same address. I’ve been told it’s been going on for years.”

The shop door opened and a young man stuck his head in. Penelope noticed a white delivery van double-parked outside.

“Delivery,” he called out.

The clerk held up a finger. “I’ll be right with you.” She smiled at Penelope. “I apologize. I have to open the back door for him. I promise I’ll be right back.”

Penelope drummed her fingers on the counter as she waited. She wondered who Terry could be sending flowers to once a year. His mother? A sister? Penelope couldn’t contain her curiosity. Her mother used to remind her that curiosity killed the cat, but she didn’t believe that for a minute then and she didn’t believe it now. Besides, weren’t cats supposed to have nine lives?

The clerk had disappeared into the storeroom. Penelope made sure she was out of view before casually turning the order pad around.

The flowers were being sent to a convent—the Sisterhood of the Sacred Cross, to the attention of Sister Rosamund.

Was that a relative of Terry’s? Penelope wondered. It was curious, but it was unlikely to mean anything so she put it out of her mind.

She heard a rustling noise coming from the stockroom and quickly turned the order pad back around.

“I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting,” the clerk said when she emerged from the stockroom. “How can I help you?”

“I’m looking for a small bouquet to take to a friend,” Pen said. She gestured toward the display cases.

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