Poisoned Petals

“Did you give Rosie money for Abekeni? How long have you known about him?”

“Peggy, I don’t want you to interfere. Do you understand? I’m here for a reason. I want things to be the way they are right now.”

“No. I won’t leave it like this. You wouldn’t leave me like this, either.”

“I would if you told me to.” He shook his head that looked so much grayer than it had a few weeks ago. “Let it alone. This is important to me. I’m doing the right thing for once.”

He didn’t look or sound drugged or out of his head. Just lost and alone. Maybe his life would never be what it was before this incident, but she wouldn’t leave him here to be punished for crimes he didn’t commit.

“I can’t bear to see you this way. I won’t be able to go home and sleep at night knowing you’re in here for the rest of your life and I didn’t help. Who are you protecting?”

“I’ll never forgive you if you do anything to hurt them!”

She put down her phone, stood up, and mouthed to him, I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t.

He pounded on the Plexiglas as she turned to go. She knew the guards would restrain him. She didn’t look back. Even if she had, she wouldn’t have been able to see him for the tears in her eyes.

PEGGY DIDN’T STOP, BARELY BREATHED, before she got to the hotel where Rosie was staying. It wasn’t hard finding her old friend. Peggy simply called the most expensive hotels until she found Rosie. She didn’t bother with artificial courtesies when several hotel clerks saw her and tried to ask if they could help. She brushed by them until she reached the room, then pounded on the door.

Rosie opened the door, a smile coming over her face when she saw Peggy. “I’m so glad to see you!”

Peggy launched herself through the doorway, a frazzled bundle of anger and barely suppressed frustration. “How could you do it?”

“What are you saying?”

“How could you destroy Darmus? What happened between you two was a long time ago. How much pleasure can you get from ruining him?”

A sly smile came over Rosie’s face. “I am getting a great deal of pleasure actually. I don’t care how many people he saved down through the years. He deserted me when I needed him. He ruined my life. Why shouldn’t I ruin his?”

Peggy almost growled, she was so angry. “What have you done? Did you kill Luther? Did you drug Darmus? Was it your idea for him to pretend to die so you could destroy his reputation and his life’s work?”

Rosie’s face distorted. “I didn’t kill anyone or do anything except ask him for money to support Abekeni. Who are you to challenge me? You’ve always had everything! I had nothing and no one, not even you! I was alone when I was pregnant. I was alone when my Abekeni was born. No one ever offered to babysit so I could have a night out. When I was sick, there was no one to take care of me!”

Peggy felt sorry for her. Or at least she would if she weren’t so angry. “Darmus is in jail to protect you, isn’t he? He’s afraid the police will find out the truth if they investigate too closely. Did you think he was going to leave Feed America to you? When he didn’t, did you kill Luther?”

“Get out!” Rosie finally ran to the door and flung it open. “Don’t ever come back!”

Peggy wanted to say more, but she knew it was time to leave and tell Al what she suspected. There was nothing more to say anyway. No idle threats would help this situation. She stalked out of the hotel suite without another word. Her cell phone rang as she walked through the lobby.

It was Mai. “Could you come over right away? Dr. Ramsey says something large has happened.”

“Large?”

“I’m not sure what it is, but he’s running through the lab shouting your name. Can you come over?”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Peggy noticed there were other calls on her cell phone. She’d had it turned down and didn’t hear it. Paul had called. Steve had called. Sam had called. Her father had called. There wasn’t enough time to call them all back, so she decided to wait and call them later.

It was noon by the time she reached the lab. Ramsey greeted her at the lab door on the second floor, foot tapping impatiently. “And now she comes!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t know something large happened.”

“And now she’s making fun of it!”

“You’re scaring me,” she responded. “You sound like the crazy man in Silence of the Lambs.”

“Crazy! Ha!” Ramsey closed the door behind her.

“Could you fill me in on why I’m here and what happened?” Peggy checked her watch. Selena was going to go through another lunch crowd by herself. With a chuckle, Peggy realized it could get really expensive sending Selena out with her friends every time Peggy needed to ease her own guilt.

“Sato!” he shouted.

Mai appeared with her large glasses perched on the end of her nose. “Sir?”

“Fill her in!”

“It was another anonymous tip,” Mai explained without preamble. “Someone called in to tell us Holles Harwood killed Reverend Appleby. The person said there was evidence left at the scene and at Mr. Harwood’s home.”