Murder Among the Roses | Book 1

4. Flowers and Foul Play

Detective Lysander Halloran's threads of silver locks and ill-fitted trousers might have made other ladies swoon, but Evangeline had no desire for the devious man standing in her shop with a bouquet of red roses. His roguish grin and charming words appealed to her none.

"Working hard as ever I see, Miss Evangeline."

"Of course." Evangeline moved behind the counter to the register, keeping a close eye on the detective. She didn't trust the man one bit.

"A lady like you must be careful running a shop all alone during the evenings." Lysander placed his bouquet on the counter, strumming his fingers through the petals. "Surely you've heard about the recent strand of murders throughout the Vasidian Empire, a handful even here in Raven's Cove. They're calling him the Nightshade Killer."

"The victims were all men, weren't they, detective?"

"Well, yes." He ran a hand along the back of his neck. "But someone capable of taking down so many grown men would have no troubles harming a delicate lady like yourself."

Evangeline rang up his total, unbothered by his worrisome thoughts of a killer stumbling through her doors. He was not the first to underestimate her, nor would he be the last. After he handed over the money, she had thought Lysander would make a quick exit to deliver the roses to his latest lover, but unease crept down her spine when he lurked around, feigning interest in the different displays she had.

"Was there anything else I could help you with?" Evangeline stepped around the counter, noticing his keen eyes staying on her as well. His attention dipped to her flowery smock as if he had the powers to burn it right off her body and instinct drove her to cross her arms over her chest.

"Do you sell Nightshade or Oleander?" Lysander asked.

Perhaps he was more shrewd than she had thought. Keeping a passive expression, she shook her head. "No, those are deadly and not something easily found anywhere in Raven's Cove."

"I see." Lysander nodded, then gestured to a plant in front of him. "These here look an awful lot like Nightshade."

"Indeed, detective. Those are Twinberry Honeysuckle. See the reddish tinted leaves?" she asked. "Nightshade does not have those, but it always has five-pointed foliage."

"Ah, fascinating." Lysander moved away from the display and flashed her one of his wolfish grins, which she found more amusing than enchanting. "You really do know your flowers, Miss Evangeline."

Evangeline supplied a curt nod. "That's why I opened a flower shop, detective." She gestured around, as the little bit of faith in his intelligence blew right out the front door from which he came.

It was a relief to finally watch him walk outside with his bouquet of roses, nearly bumping into her best friend Calista as she rushed inside like the devil chased her. Long raven-hued hair cascaded over her shoulders, nearly hiding the chubby black rabbit she clutched tightly to her chest. In her free hand, she balanced a to-go tray with two pumpkin spice lattes, which Lysander almost made her spill.

"Apologies, m'lady." Lysander dipped aside and vanished down the sidewalk.

"I see Lysander returned." Calista glanced behind them as Evangeline took the drinks from her hand and placed the tray on the counter.

Evangeline groaned. "He's like a roach I can't get rid of."

Azalea decided to make herself present and pawed at her friend's ankles until she placed her rabbit familiar, Lola down on the floor. Many friends had their familiars create strong bonds amongst each other, and their two were no exception as they wandered off to Azalea's shop bed to cozy up in for a nap.