right?”
I had no idea. “Yeah.”
“Are you lying to me?”
“I’d never.”
She sighed. “It’s lonely out here. The hospital was much more fun. People always dropping by. Thanks for sending your mom, by the way. She’s a blast.”
I did have a pretty good mom, on the whole. “I’m glad I could share.”
“How’s Ursula doing?”
“BeBe likes her.”
“BeBe likes everyone.”
“She’s fine,” I said. “She’ll do until you get back.”
“Aww. I just got warm and fuzzied.”
“How bored are you?” I asked.
“I just finished alphabetizing the spice rack. Why do you ask? Do you have something you need me to do?”
The eagerness in her voice made me smile. “I might.” I explained about the accounting books.
“I’m your girl. Bring them by.”
“You sure you’re up to it?”
“Nina, don’t make me beg.”
“All right. Let me check on Riley and I’ll be up, and I can stay for a while.” I hated thinking Tam was lonely.
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“Is he working, by any chance?” she asked.
“No, why?”
“I’m craving something earthy. Growl does a great earthy.”
“Yuck!”
“Don’t knock it till you try it.”
“How about I stop there and bring you something. What do you want?”
“Surprise me. But nothing that’s going to kill me.”
“I didn’t kill those people! Besides, if I were jinxed, you’d be long gone by now.”
“True enough. All right. Thanks. Hospital food isn’t my favorite.”
Really, it was the least I could do. I just hoped Tam could shed some light on Growl’s finances, and if they could possibly be a motive for murder.
Twenty-Three
By Wednesday afternoon I hadn’t heard from Tam. I’d left her the night before with the books, a large bowl of Asparagus Delight, and a Dandelion Fritter.
I spun in my swivel chair and looked out the window behind my desk onto the garden showcase beyond. Despite the beauty of the cottage garden and the water garden, my gaze always went to the xeric garden. I zeroed in on a yucca as I thought about Greta and Russ, Bill and Lindsey, and Growl.
From the get-go, a partnership between two complete polar opposites seemed doomed. Then why go into it?
What had they each gotten out of it?
Russ got the restaurant he’d always wanted.
And Bill? What had he been in it for? Money?
I spun back to my desk, looked at the design for the hummingbird garden. I’d spent most of the morning surfing the Net for just the right accessories. I’d printed out pictures and was doing my best to replicate them onto the design board, using paints.
Little tubes of water colors covered my desk, and I used a paper plate as a palate. I mixed yellow, orange, and brown until I came up with an acceptable bronze color.
I glanced at the phone. I hadn’t heard from Kevin.
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Or Bobby, for that matter.
When would I stop lumping the two of them together?
