Chapter 2

Days Later …

D ays later Doreen and Mack were sitting outside, having a barbecue, when his phone rang. He checked the Caller ID, then frowned at her.

“A case?” she asked him.

He got up, glaring at her, and stepped a few feet away, so he could take the call in private. Finally the call ended, and he turned around and shared, “Apparently we’ve had enough of a break.”

“What’s up?” she asked excitedly.

“A body was just found in a flower garden.”

“Where?” she asked.

“Behind the juice processing plant.”

She frowned, as she thought about that. “A garden’s back there?”

“Yeah, a community garden,” he added.

“They’re quite popular in town, aren’t they?”

“They are, although maybe not so much after this.”

“Why? Is it not a natural death?”

He shook his head. “No, he was tazed.” When she gave him a blank look, he explained, “You know, zapped with a police zapper thingy .” He laughed when understanding dawned on her face. “Oh my God, you’re making me crazy. Now I’m even coming up with your ridiculous descriptions.”

“It worked though, and now I understand completely. So, was it the fault of a cop?”

“No, I don’t think so,” he replied, frowning. “At least I hope not. Seems the guy was found in a special place that contains the flower garden, among those spiky things.”

“Spiky things?” she asked, frowning at him. “You mean, cactus ?”

“No, the flowers, the long spiky…”

“Multipetal zinnias?” she asked.

He raised both hands, stupefied. “Yeah, those. How did you figure that out from what I said?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t. I just considered what flowers had spiky blossoms. It’s late for them but a greenhouse in the community garden would extend their growing season for a few months.”

Mack shrugged. “Don’t know for sure until I see the crime scene myself.”

Then Doreen’s smile on her face grew and grew.

“What?” He stared at her in confusion.

“It’s the Zapped in the Zinnias case,” she declared, with a chuckle.

“Oh no, no,” he argued, “we’re not going with that name.”

“Yes, we are, and you know you like it. You can’t stop me.”

He glared at her. “If you go with that name, I want something from you first.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“I want to know why you don’t like the new detective.”

She flushed, looked at him, and asked, “Are you leaving right now for the crime scene?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Okay, in that case, I’ll tell you.”

He slowly raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised. “Okay, so tell me then.” He slipped his phone in his pocket, grabbed his jacket, and reached for his keys.

“I don’t like her because she’s too close to you.”

He stared at her for a long moment. “Seriously?”

“Yes,” she declared. “I don’t want anything to come between us. Particularly a determined, good-looking, sexy cop who is around you all day,” she snapped, glaring at him. When his lips twitched, her glare deepened. But when he burst into laughter, she stomped her foot and crossed her arms, still glaring at him, “It’s not funny, Mack.”

He stopped laughing and smiled. “No, it’s not funny,” he agreed. “It’s absolutely delightful.” He picked her up, gave her a huge hug, then a big kiss on the lips, and stated, “You just made my day.” After giving her a second big smacking kiss on the lips, he headed for the front door, whistling. Then he called out, “ Zapped in the Zinnias it is.”

“That was easier than I expected,” she muttered, following him to the door.

“Hey, I’m always happy to compromise, particularly with somebody like you.”

“What do you mean, somebody like me?” she asked.

He flashed her a grin and, stepping out the door, said, “Somebody I love.”

And, with that, he was gone, leaving her standing in the doorway, staring after him, her mouth gaping.