Beware the Orchids (A Shady Acres Mystery Book 1) by Cynthia Hickey Page A

it later.
    In the dining room, Heath sat alone at a table. At another, Officer Lawrence sat with Grandma. I made a beeline for Heath.
    “You’re here.” I gave him an impulsive hug.
    He grinned. “If that’s the reception I’ll get, I’ll try to almost get arrested more often.”
    “Stop.” I sat in the chair next to him, Cheryl taking the other side. “I guess Alice vouched for you?”
    “Yeah.” His brow furrowed. “Vouched for me quite heatedly. It was embarrassing. I think she has a crush on me.”
    “Oh.” A niggle of jealousy pricked me. “You had no idea?”
    He shook his head. “We usually get into an argument because she has an unreasonable demand.”
    That sounded familiar. “Well, the main thing is you aren’t going to jail.”
    “At least not today. I’m still the primary suspect.”
    “We’re trying to clear your name.” I explained how we would be going door-to-door. “We only got as far as cottage one when we realized we had no idea who she was.”
    “That’s Hattie Black. She isn’t very nice.”
    “We figured that out real quick.”
    He laughed. “What did you say to her?”
    “That we’re collecting to repair the koi pond.” I held up a hand at his protest. “It’s all I could think of.”
    “Alice will have a fit. You need to come up with a better plan. If she finds out, she’ll think you’re criticizing her job.”
    “Seriously?” I was determined to ask her as soon as lunch was finished. If we could get donations, she could use the budget elsewhere. With all the small things that needed doing, and the weekly social functions she wanted me to plan, money saved was a good thing.
    I spotted her entering the room and excused myself to catch her before someone caught her in a conversation. “Alice.”
    “Shelby.” She tilted her head.
    “I was wondering whether you would have a problem if I asked the residents for donations to repair the koi pond.”
    “Why?” Her eyes narrowed. “Heath is working on that.”
    “I know, but, I thought if the residents had a hand in its restoration, they might feel a sense of pride. We could have an unveiling party.”
    She wrinkled her nose in thought. “As long as no one thinks it’s because we’re short on funds. We aren’t. It’s just that repairs take time and if anything, we’re short staffed. Corporation won’t let me hire anyone else.”
    “I’m sure no one will think that. Remember…a penny saved is a penny earned, my grandfather always said.” I grinned and turned.
    “Oh, and, Shelby?”
    “Yes, ma’am?” I glanced over my shoulder.
    “Hurry and clear Heath’s name, please. I can’t move forward in a relationship with him as long as he’s a murder suspect.”

 
    14
    R ather than begin my day going door-to-door, I decided to speak with some of the residents at breakfast the next morning. It would save time and foot pain. Since Alice gave her approval, I could approach others with a bit more confidence than the day before.
    I grabbed a pastry from the buffet and sat at the table with Harry Weasley and Hattie Black. Neither spoke to each other. Instead, they leaned over their plates like they were starving. Neither looked up when I sat down, either. “Excuse me.”
    Harry peered through thick glasses. “Yeah?”
    “Good morning. I’ve already spoken to Ms. Black, but we’re asking the residents of our lovely community to donate funds toward restoring the koi pond. It’ll be tax deductible and allow renovating funds to be delegated elsewhere. May we count on your support?”
    “Yeah, sure.” Harry pulled out his wallet and tossed me a fifty dollar bill. “Hattie, pay the girl.”
    Hattie rolled her eyes and handed me a twenty from inside her bra. “Don’t bother me about money again. I’m not as generous as Weasley, here.”
    I took her money with my fingertips. “Thank you both, very much.” I slid the cash into an envelope in the back of my notebook. “Did either of you know the victims