Floral Depravity by Beverly Allen

fuss and was still figuring out what to charge me. If it were my shop, I wouldn’t want it back.
    That was yet another reason to return to the encampment. Maybe I’d come across the cape and get away with late fees instead. Then again, that might mean touching it.
    Bixby’s advice not to go alone flashed briefly into my mind, but I still knew a lot of people there—Nick, Brad, Melanie, Carol, Shelby, and Darnell—so I didn’t imagine I’d be alone for long.
    As I pushed open Eric’s truck door, I stopped for a moment. “Thanks for giving me an excuse to get out of there.”
    â€œAnd thanks for leaving Liv out of it. But mind, you be careful, too. If anything happened to you, I’d never forgive myself. And if Liv found out I was colluding with you, she wouldn’t forgive me either, for that matter. So my life and future happiness are in your hands.”
    â€œI’ll do my best.”
    He flipped off the ignition.
    â€œYou’re staying?”
    â€œI hate to tell you this, but you really do have a sticky problem with your septic system.”
    *   *   *
    Larry was hosing out a plant tray when I came huffing and puffing up his driveway. I’d deserted the bike and locked it to a skinny tree at the main road, since access to his place was up a steep incline. It wouldn’t be so bad going home.
    He did a double take. “Well, so Joan of Arc is back. I take it you’re here to sneak through my property and not to see an old friend.” He tilted his head. “Coming to play dress-up in the woods or are you working on the murder?”
    â€œThe second, but if you see Liv, I wasn’t here at all. I’d appreciate it, and Eric might even pay you for your discretion.”
    â€œAh, I can see where that would be a problem. Your cousin doesn’t take well to being left out of the thick of things. Sure. She won’t hear anything from me. But if you’re going on to that camp, could you tell those yahoos that the invitation to cut through my property doesn’t extend to all of them?”
    â€œMore people are cutting through here?”
    â€œI think so. Found some footprints along with the livestock tracks. Unless they were just here to collect the animals. Looked like there was a pig rooting through here last night, too. If he’s not careful, he’s going to end up as bacon.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t do that.”
    A smile tickled the corner of his mouth. “Maybe not. But I heard Bacon U might be looking for a new mascot.”
    â€œI’ll pass the word. Private property.”
    â€œHey, Joan, if they invite you for lunch, avoid the steaks, eh?” He winked and the corners of his eyes crinkled.
    I groaned and saluted and crisscrossed over the muddy puddles Larry’s hose had left as I made my way over his fence and along the old deer path to the encampment.
    Again, the transition seemed almost magical.
    Merchants’ tents flapped in the breeze and cooking smells came from several of them, masking the rawer smells that I was sure were there. A few peasants strolled past the vendors, who called out, hawking their wares. My stomach rumbled just a little, but I wasn’t sure what they used for money in this place. And with a poisoner on the loose . . .
    Was poisoner even a word? Poisonist? Poisonista?
    Anyway, it wasn’t an appetite stimulant, that’s for sure.
    â€œWell, hello, Audrey!” Andrea was the first person I recognized. She was still in her blue dress.
    â€œAndrea, I would have thought you were on your honeymoon by now.”
    â€œThis is our honeymoon! Nothing we like better.” Her face dimmed. “Not that anything has gone exactly as we might have planned.”
    â€œI’m so sorry about your father-in-law.”
    â€œSad thing is that you might be one of the few who are.” She sighed. “That sounded bad.” She took me by the