Free Death in the Orchid Garden by Ann Ripley

explained. “Haven’t you heard it? He’s trying to be funny but it doesn’t always come off when George tries to be funny. Actually, we’re going to Aroma in Lihue. You’ll have to try it before you leave.”
    Flynn cocked his head toward a table near the center of the terrace. “I’ve noticed, though, that most people from the conference like to eat here. There’s the good Dr. Charles Reuter and his right-hand man Nate. They’re honored to have sitting with them the great Ralph Pinsky.” He might claim the man was great, but Louise noted that his tone of voice said otherwise.
    She turned her head to look. One of the two sitting with Charles Reuter was a muscular, attractive young man with lively dark brown eyes. This apparently was his aide, Nate. The other was a man who looked as if he’d never ventured out in the sun and wouldn’t dare to. He had curly dark-red hair and a pale-as-milk complexion. What interested Louise most was the way he held his table mates transfixed as he leaned forward and talked, emphasizing his words with rapid gestures of his long-fingered hands.
    She said, “So that’s Ralph Pinsky. I read about him in the conference brochure. He’s an impressive man.”
    Matthew Flynn grinned broadly: “Everybody thinks that Ralph Pinsky’s the botanical garden director nonpareil . Interestingly enough, he ranks right up there with Bruce Bouting in terms of the volume of his plant discoveries. But Pinsky’s discoveries take about four times as long to get to market, if they ever do. Not quite as nimble as he used to be in the field— something’s gotten to him—but he’s a clever guy. He’s made the Greater Missouri Botanic Garden outside St. Louis into probably the second best botanic garden in the country. A real knee-jerk true believer, just like Reuter and his crowd.”
    As if conscious they were being discussed, the three men turned and looked over at Matthew Flynn. “Hi,” said Flynn and waved. Reuter and the young, dark-eyed Nate reluctantly waved back, while the man named Pinsky gave Flynn a dismissive glance with his gray eyes and turned back to his companions.
    Marty Corbin stared in the direction of the Reuter table, his eyes narrowing ominously. “So there’s another Man Friday lurking around here. Lou, do you think Dr. Reuter will want his Man Friday on the program tomorrow, too?”
    Dr. Flynn laughed and shook his head. “No way. Nate Bernstein’s a behind-the-scenes type guy. He does a lot of research for Reuter, as well as some of his boss’s best writing, it’s said. But neither Charles Reuter nor Nate Bernstein craves publicity. You’ll have enough of a challenge giving Charles face time tomorrow morning. He’s what you’d call ‘diffident.’”
    â€œShy?” cried Marty. “You’ve gotta be kidding, Dr. Flynn. I didn’t think there was a shy person among you. I just thought Reuter was an unpleasant SOB . ”
    Steffi and Louise exchanged alarmed glances. Marty was crabby and tired. It was time to change the subject. She looked up at Matthew Flynn and smiled. “So, Aroma is a good place to eat; we’ll remember that. I bet you two know lots of good places.”
    John Batchelder piped up, “Louise will wangle it out of you—she always does. She’s solved a few crimes, you know.” He smiled smugly, as if he’d announced a secret that was only his. “She’s a real snoop.”
    Matthew Flynn looked down at Louise with mock amazement. She felt her face coloring. “My God, an amateur gumshoe in our midst! I knew there was some reason I liked you from the moment I first met you.”
    â€œJohn’s just kidding,” Louise demurred.
    â€œI bet he isn’t,” said Flynn. “I’ll have to remember that and seek out your help if I need it. But seriously, dear Louise,