Pretty Poison

when he saw her. “They did the best they could.”

Keeley dropped silently into a chair. Hunter stormed up and down an aisle.

“There has to be something else.” Sam glanced at his sister. “No one is that smart. She made a mistake somewhere.”

“If she did, she’s covering it up right now.” Selena leaned against the counter and sighed.

“I don’t know what to say.” Peggy went to stand beside Keeley. “They told me the DA is ready to issue a warrant for you.”

“Great!” Hunter stopped pacing. “We should get you out of town. If they have to look for you, it will give us more time to trap Mrs. Warner.”

“Is that legal?” Selena asked.

“Keeley hasn’t been arrested yet,” Hunter answered. “Rich people do it all the time.”

“But where would I go?” Keeley wondered. “I’m not rich. My mom lives here in Charlotte. It’s not like I can take off and go to Paris for a few weeks.”

“What about your aunt?” Peggy suggested. “Doesn’t she live out in Montgomery County? It’d be hard to find you out there.”

“That’s true!” Keeley jumped up. “And it’s better than going to jail.”

“Let’s go.” Hunter grabbed her pocketbook and keys. “We didn’t have this conversation. Keeley needs some time away after losing the baby. You’ll each have to decide what to answer if the police ask you if you know where she is. Technically, she’s not a fugitive yet. That could all change very quickly.”

“I was working when this happened, and I have no idea where she is.” Sam folded his arms across his broad chest. His blue eyes were defiant.

“Besides,” Selena said, “I don’t know where her aunt lives. Even if I knew she was going there.”

“Thanks, guys.” Keeley hugged them all. “I guess I should go.”

“Right now,” Hunter agreed.

When the two of them were gone, Peggy looked at Selena and Sam. “I guess it’s just us getting the store set up for the Christmas rush.”

“I hope this is over before the holidays.” Selena tied her hair back with a white scarf. “I hate bad stuff happening over Christmas.”

Sam went out to get the blue spruce he bought for the shop. The roots were bundled in burlap so the tree could be planted after they were done with it. They decorated it with seed packages, bulbs, and miniature garden tools. Peggy put a row of red poinsettias around the base.

They stowed all the autumn decorations in the back and took out the giant snowflakes and bells from last year. Peggy had been forcing paper-white narcissus to bloom in the cooler storage area. Several of the purple Christmas cactus that grew in the front window near the counter were flowering.

They swept and mopped. Sam stocked the usual Christmas fare that traditionally sold. This year they added gift certificates as well. Peggy was working on the idea of a club that would send one potted plant a month to the recipient.

It was late when the store was finished. It smelled of lemon oil and spruce. The aisles were tidy for once and stocked almost to the ceiling. There was a little over a week until Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas marathon.

“That’s it for me.” Selena sat down on the floor and refused to move.

“I think we’re done.” Peggy looked around the store with a smile. “Thanks, you two. I couldn’t have done it without you. How about some dinner? My treat.”

But Selena had to study for a makeup exam she was taking the next day. And Sam had a date.

“Don’t make a big deal out of it or anything.” He grinned. “But this guy is really hot.”

“Then what’s he see in you?” Selena laughed as she put on her coat.

“Some people think I’m hot.” Sam glanced at himself in the dark shop window.

“People on the Internet who’ve never seen you.” Selena slapped her hand on the counter. “I’m good tonight!”

“At least I have a date,” Sam scoffed. “At least I’m not a pathetic loser who has to go home and study for a makeup test.”

Selena opened the door to leave. “Snappy comeback. Good night, Peggy. You, too, Shakespeare.”

Sam looked at himself again in the window. He flicked his fingers through his golden hair. “You think I’m hot, don’t you, Peggy?”

“I’m sure I would if I didn’t think of you like Paul.” She laughed. “Don’t pay her any attention, Sam. She’s mad that you’re not interested in her.”

He made a face at himself. “Don’t say that! How can I work with her, knowing she’s longing for me?”

“Go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He started to leave, then realized she’d be there alone. “I can wait. I don’t want to leave you here like this.”