Poisoned Petals

“I’ve been married,” Aunt Mayfield snorted. “Men aren’t everything they tell you, I promise you that!”

Sam started laughing, but Peggy was horrified. They might live on a farm, but did they have to sound like it? “Keep an eye out for Darmus. That’s why we’re here. Sam, you and Steve know what he looks like.”

“Are you sure he’ll be here?” Steve sat down beside her in the alcove they’d picked for a good view of the club.

“No, of course not.” Peggy bit her lip. She didn’t want to think of Darmus hiding out here in a crowd of students he’d taught. The idea was too awful. “I don’t know what’s going on yet. But I’d really like to find out.”

“You mean before the police start looking for him?” Sam played with his straw.

“You haven’t mentioned this to Holles, have you?” Peggy’s glance was sharp.

“No. But he could help. He knows what Darmus looks like, too.”

“The fewer of us who know about this, the better.” She smiled at Sam. “I’m not saying Holles is a bad guy. I like him. But he could slip and tell someone else before I see Darmus.”

The music was loud, and the crowd continued to grow. It was almost impossible to tell what anyone looked like with the bodies pressed so close together. Peggy felt like standing on the table and searching the faces.

She didn’t want to find Darmus here. But the alternative might be that they wouldn’t find him at all. It was foolish for him to think he could disappear in a crowd of people he worked with and taught for many years. But didn’t John always tell her people tended to stay close to home when they tried to hide? It was the principle that made escaped convicts easy to find.

“What’s this fella you’re searching for look like?” her father asked.

“He’s older, black, very short, and very thin,” Peggy answered. “Outside of that, he’s probably in some kind of disguise. If you know him and you’re looking for him, you might see him. Otherwise—”

“This isn’t working.” Sam got to his feet. He was taller than most average young men and resembled the god Thor in ancient Viking myths. But he still couldn’t see over or through the crowd. “I’ll walk around and see if I spot him.”

“Good idea.” Peggy got to her feet facing Sam, away from her family at the table. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.” He laughed. “They’re fine. You wouldn’t apologize if you’d ever spent time with my family! Don’t worry about it. I’m going to look for Darmus.”

Steve stood up beside them. “Where do you want to start?”

“If we spread out, we can cover more space.”

“Okay. Let’s synchronize cell phones in case we find him.” He searched his pockets. “I forgot my handcuffs. How am I supposed to get him to stay put until you get there?”

“Think of something. You’re smart. And he’s obviously not himself. It shouldn’t be too hard.”

“I’d rather mingle with you.” He snuggled her in close to his side.

“Steve!” She pulled away and nodded toward her parents, who were watching with interest.

“We can help, too, Margaret.” Her father got up and nodded to the rest of the family. “If we all spread out, we should be able to find one short, old black fella.”

“That’s okay, Dad. Remember, you’re supposed to stay right here and listen to the music.”

Ranson wasn’t happy with that. “Aww, Margaret! Let us help, too.”

“I don’t want to help,” her mother replied. “It’s dirty and noisy in here.”

“Thank you!” Aunt Mayfield nodded, her chin almost settling on her chest. “I thought maybe I was the only one who noticed the smudges on these glasses! I shudder to think what the floor looks like.”

“No telling what diseases are out there.” Cousin Melvin looked at the gyrating bodies on the dance floor.

“I want to come anyway,” Ranson declared. “I know I can help.”

Peggy gave in. “All right! But stay with me. I don’t want you to get lost.”

Steve frowned. “I thought we couldn’t stay together.”

“Don’t you start!” she warned him. “Look!” She pointed to Holles when she saw him come through the front door. “I hope Sam can keep his mouth shut for a few minutes.”

“I wouldn’t put any money on it. Sam’s a very open person,” Steve said. “And he thinks Holles can help.”

“I know. Too open for his own good sometimes.”

“Well, let’s get this over with.” Steve kissed her. “I’ll call you if I see Darmus.”

“All right. Thank you.”

The club got louder with more people squeezing in to listen to the local band onstage. Peggy had never heard of them, but Sam had assured her they were very hot in the nightclub scene in Charlotte.

“This reminds me of when the pigs come to trough,” her father said loudly. “They push together as close as they can to make sure they get their share.”

“Dad, please! I’m trying to concentrate.”

“And I’m trying to help! And please don’t talk down to us again like that, Margaret Anne! Your mother and I