Adelle Laudan - Killer Scents

“What was she doing in the bar by herself? She could have called me. Last time I checked I was her partner.” Randy paced. “The guy actually walked into the same room with her? Doesn’t she realize just how sick this s.o.b. is?”

Chief Thomson raised his hand. “Calm down. I won’t have you talking to her like that this morning. Yes, she shouldn’t have gone there alone, but in her defence, she had no reason to fear he’d be following her.”

“So what kind of game is The Florist playing now? Why Becca? Does it have something to do with Susan?”

“I don’t have any answers for you. I do know we can’t lose our focus. The results came back from the coroners. He stuffed money in her mouth, and if my hunch is right, her own money. Her wallet was open in her purse and it was empty.”

“Good morning.” Becca breezed into the room, leaving her fresh, feminine scent behind.

Randy caught her attention, but the second his mouth opened, her hand shot up between them.

“Save it. I was wrong...yadda, yadda. Let’s just drop it, okay?”

He searched her eyes only to have her quickly turn her attention to the chief. She’s got a bug up her ass about something. What the hell did I do to piss her off so badly?

“Did the results come back for the note?”

Chief frowned. “They didn’t find anything, no prints, no DNA... nothing.”

“This Florist is sure one smart guy, I’ll give him that,” Randy said.

“Yes, but he’s bound to slip up sooner or later,” Becca countered, narrowing her gaze on him before sitting.

“So, I did get a warrant. I want a closer look around that acreage, especially after you two heard that bike out there.”

“I hate to do this to Professor Davies. The poor man is such a sweetheart.” Becca sighed.

“Try talking to him first and make him understand someone on his farm might be suspect. Maybe you won’t need the warrant if he gives permission.”

“Okay, I didn’t bring my bike today. How do you want to do this?” Becca gathered her bag and file.

Chief Thomson opened his drawer and tossed a set of keys her way. “Take the SUV.” He turned to Randy. “You ride your bike. It might come in handy.”

“I don’t want to leave Becca alone.”

The look of surprise on her face confused him. Doesn’t she know how much I care about her?

“Danny will drive Becca.”

She nodded and walked past Randy without a glance. “I’ll see you out there.”

“What did you do to piss her off?” Chief Thomson looked at him sternly. “You might want to clear the air. The sooner, the better.”

“Wow, we got our work cut out for us searching this place.” Danny whistled as he turned down the driveway.

The sprinkler system sprayed in sheets over the fields, casting rainbows all across the vast expanse of color.

“I think we need to focus on the workers first. I hope Professor Davies understands so we don’t have to use this warrant.”

Danny nodded. “Looks like you’re going to find out. I take it that’s him?” He stopped a few feet before the porch.

Professor Davies stood at the top of the staircase leading to an impressive wraparound porch. He leaned against a column, giving them a short wave with his free hand.

“Good morning, sir.” Becca rounded the front of the vehicle, extending her hand. She saw the lines of confusion between his striking blue eyes.

“Well, good morning, Becca.” He took her hand in his and kissed the top before looking over at Danny, who stood with his back to them.

“I’ll introduce my chaperone when he’s done on the phone.” Becca chuckled lightly.

The professor shrugged indifference. “What brings you here so early? I’m sure it’s not just to say hello.”

She smiled warmly. “Please, may we be seated?”

Pain registered on his weathered face as he slowly sat.

“You already know about the killer we’re looking for and how he uses a flower for his signature. There’s been another victim.”

His eyes widened. “I’m sorry to hear it. That makes five?”

“Actually, six. This time he left a white orchid.”

Professor Davies stroked his jaw. “A white orchid represents kindness and truth. Sometimes it’s sent to someone to inspire compassion or thank them for a random act of goodwill.”

Becca frowned. I can’t imagine the ruthless attorney being any of those things. “Last time we were here I heard a motorcycle being kick-started. We have a witness who saw The Florist leave one of the crime scenes on a motorcycle with a kicker.”

“Let me guess, you think the killer is here?” His looked down his nose at her. “Of course you’re entitled to your suspicions, but I find this very hard to believe. The only motorcycle I’ve heard is yours and his.”

Randy rode up the driveway, followed by two SUVs.

“We’d like your permission to have a closer look around, including the workers’ bunkhouse.”

Professor Davies struggled to his feet, a weary sigh parting his lips. “I’m too old for all of this commotion. Go look wherever you need to. I can’t be a part of it.” His hand covered his heart.

“Of course. Thank you. We’ll try not to be too disruptive.”

He walked to the door. “I hope you find this guy, but forgive me when I say, I hope you don’t find him here.”

With that, the door mysteriously opened and he disappeared into the privacy of his home. Becca hated seeing him in such a fragile state, but they had a job to do. If The Florist did his growing here, they’d find him.

Randy and Becca stood in the driveway with a group of ten officers. All were given a map of the grounds with each building labelled. Randy divided the group into two. He’d lead the one and Becca the other.

“Okay, we have a plan. Let’s stick to the timeline. If anyone uncovers or comes across a red flag, report directly to Randy or me.” She glanced in his direction. “Any questions?”

The same worker who accompanied them on their initial tour arrived. Jacob smiled and jumped off his jeep-like truck. “Good morning. The boss called me. I have a couple of Mules for you to use while you’re here today. I’ll take two drivers with me to pick them up and bring them back here.”

“Rick and...Danny? Where’s Danny?” Randy looked over his shoulder.

“Ah, he got a call and needed to return to the station right away.” Rick shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

Randy levelled a hand above his eyes to block the sun. “Okay, well this is Jacob, the head honcho around here. You can pick another officer to go with him now, please.”

Rick sprung to action, tapping the back of the nearest officer to join him on the back of the Mule.

Jacob eased in behind the wheel. “I’ll be around. If you need anything, just ask.” He slipped his vehicle into gear.

“Thank you, Jacob.” Becca smiled. Could Jacob be The Florist? He sure knows his flowers, but every account of the killer’s appearance has him pegged tall and slender, not short and stocky like Jacob is.

The drivers returned quickly and split into teams. Becca stood up in the passenger seat next to the driver. “Please, try to be respectful of the professor’s property today. We didn’t need the search warrant, and we’d like to keep our relationship with the man amicable.” She sat and raised her arm. “Let’s do this thing!”

Chapter Thirteen

Enough is enough! Whatever was going on with Becca, he needed to get to the bottom of it and he needed to do it now. Luckily, he didn’t have to look very far. He stepped outside the mess hall where they were interviewing the workers and found her standing in the middle of the roadway, looking up and down the row of greenhouses.