Free Pretty Poison by Joyce and Jim Lavene Page A

jury in her mind. Obviously the stress and lack of sleep was leading to lapses in judgment.
    “How did it go?” she asked Selena after a customer left the counter.
    “Okay, I guess.” Selena looked furtively around the shop and whispered, “I didn’t see her .”
    “We’ll just have to keep looking. She’ll probably come in again.”
    Selena picked up her book bag from behind the counter. “I’m going. I have that English lit exam tonight, and I have to study for the French exam tomorrow, so I might be late in the morning. But I’ll keep my eyes open while I’m waiting for the bus. Maybe she’ll walk by.”
    “What will you say if you see her?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll pretend I know who she is. You know like, ‘Lucy! Is that you ?’ ”
    Peggy laughed. “Just be careful. She could be the one responsible for Mark’s death. She might be nervous.”
    “I’ll watch out for her legs. The rest of her didn’t look all that dangerous. See you tomorrow.”
    Selena had only been gone a few minutes when the woman they were looking for walked into the shop. Peggy knew Selena was going to be disappointed she wasn’t there to question her. But she couldn’t put it off in case she didn’t come back again.
    She didn’t want to take Selena’s hypothetical approach and pretend to know the woman. Besides, she had the advantage of being in the shop. Thinking quickly, she took some scraps of paper and approached all of the customers who were there. “We’re having a giveaway. A beautiful Christmas wreath. Just the thing to brighten up the holidays. All I need is your name and phone number.”
    A few people reminded her that they were already on her mailing list. Peggy apologized for not knowing them and took their names. She saw the brunette coming toward her. With a firm hand on her pen and a smile on her face, she greeted her.
    The woman smiled. “I can’t think about that right now. I’ve had a personal loss. Maybe some other time.”
    “I’m so sorry.” Peggy put away her pen and paper. “Are you here for flowers for the funeral?”
    “Not exactly. We liked the courtyard and the stores here. We used to come over at lunchtime.” She spoke like she felt awkward talking about it and shifted her glance around the shop.
    “That’s so romantic.” Peggy sighed. “My husband passed away two years ago. We were going to open this shop together but didn’t have the chance. He loved to garden. Did your husband enjoy plants?”
    The expression on the woman’s face was almost comical. Her tone lowered a notch. “He wasn’t my husband. And that’s where the problem comes in with sending flowers to the funeral. If you know what I mean.”
    “Oh! I understand . It happens. I could arrange to send something anonymously. That way, he’ll know you cared, but his wife won’t be suspicious.”
    “I didn’t say he was married.” Her shoulders sagged, and she sighed. “But he was.”
    Peggy touched her arm. “Of course he was. Or he would’ve been your husband, wouldn’t he, dear? I’m sure he was proud to be with you.”
    “Thank you.” She took a deep breath as if to firm her resolve. “All right. I’d like to send something. You take Visa, don’t you?”
    After their conversation, Peggy was certain that Ronda and Mark were having an affair. She helped the distraught woman pick out a lovely pot of cyclamen, explaining that it meant good-bye. After all, Ronda wasn’t interested in sympathizing with the widow so much as saying good-bye to her lover. Even though the transaction served her purpose, Peggy was still intent on helping her customer.
    Twenty minutes later, Ronda McGee left the Potting Shed. After learning her name from her Visa, it only took Peggy two minutes to look her up on the Internet. She was married to Mark’s boss at Bank of America, Bob McGee.
    She called Al right away and left him a message. She didn’t know if the information would help him. He probably already knew