I paused when out of the corner of my eye I saw Bailey reach into his pocket for his phone. He listened briefly. As he returned the shiny gadget to his jacket, he looked straight at me, nodded, and then headed for the door.
My heart skipped a beat. Was he off on another assignment? Didn't he get a rest before he started a new case? But the real source of my agitation came from the fact that he was leaving.
I searched my brain for a parting remark that only Bailey might understand. When I spoke, I heard the smile in my voice. “The title of the first category in our competition is âButterflies and Flowersâthe right combination.'”
The contestants stared as if I'd lost my mind. Bailey stopped and turned in my direction. He touched his lips with his index finger, then pointed that finger at me. “Soon,” he mouthed, then he walked from the room.
I wanted more, but for now, that would have to be enough. I faced the contestants. “To enjoy life you have to live it. Bloom where you're planted, ladies and gentlemen. Take a lesson from the lovely butterfly. Ride the air currents, and let your imagination soar.”
Roots of Murder
Murder Sets Seed
LILIES THAT FESTER. Copyright © 2001 by Janis Harrison. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
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eISBN 9781429931601
First eBook Edition : May 2011
1. Solomon, Bretta (Fictitious character)âFiction. 2. Women detectivesâMissouriâFiction. 3. Women gardenersâFiction. 4. GardeningâFiction. 5. MissouriâFiction. 6. FloristsâFiction I. Title.
PS3558.A67132 L55 2001
813'.54âdc21
2001041897
First Edition: November 2001
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Harrison, Janis (Janis Anne)
Lilies that fester / Janis Harrison.â1st ed.
p. cm.