As she rides by

lot of arranging, in fact I did none at all, but I did do a lot of sitting around being conspicuous. And many was the glance that was directed my way, but Phineas’s employees, who all obviously adored him, were all too polite or too discreet to openly query my presence. They didn’t half make a fuss about King, though, especialy when they realized from his dignified behavior that he wasn’t going to go careening about the boutique knocking over tubs of Tibetan bamboo. And some “humble” boutique it was too—there was the store itself, which was huge, on three levels, and included a waterfall and small pond, Phineas’s commodious office at the back, then behind that a large workroom, and behind that, a lengthy greenhouse. In the parking lot out back, along with the assortment of vehicles belonging to us and the employees, were three tastefully decorated delivery vans. The employees totaled eight that I could see—two girls in green smocks serving out front, a chap in green overalls taking care of the cash and wrapping and phone orders, two young drivers in green livery who popped in from time to time between assignments, two girls working on arrangements out back, and an ancient Japanese gentleman who spent all his time in the greenhouse, and who firmly refused to let my dog stick even his moist nose inside.
    The day passed. I watched thirty bouquets in wicker baskets of Duet, Bewitched, Honor, and so on, being built up by the two girls, Susan and Melody, and their boss. Although I became intimately familiar with the whole process, I will at this juncture merely pass on a few tricks of the trade, as we professionals do like to keep some small portion of our hard-won lore to ourselves. So remember, ladies, remove all thorns and foliage that will be below the moisture level, to prevent rotting. Make your new stem cut at as sharp an angle as possible. To promote longevity, us pros then plunge the stem into hot water, and then, when it cools, into the fridge goes the bloom for a few hours. Of course, if you use florist’s foam, do remember to soak it thoroughly first. And, as my final tip, try a sprinkle of 7-Up or Sprite in the water.
    With the soaking up of such arcane tidbits did I pass the hours. Also with the taking out for several walks of King, which gave me a good chance to take a hard look around. I saw nothing that looked particularly frightening, except the prices in some in the store windows and a white poodle with a diamond-studded collar and shocking-pink toenails, the same hue as its owner’s. Adorable. Some of the shoppers looked scary, too, but maybe I was just jealous. Maybe. At first I didn’t see anyone who looked like what I thought Phil and Ted might look like, then I began suspecting every male I passed, even the ones in knee-length shorts, but that I put down to either paranoia or the fact that I was in Beverly Hills, after all, where one could rightly suspect the inhabitants of almost everything.
    The boutique closed at seven; shortly thereafter, Phineas switched on what security devices he had, which weren’t many, by my expert reckoning, but I knew Beverly Hills was notoriously well policed and anyway, who’s going to break in to steal a couple of dozen Hypericum patulumal (Saint-John’s-wort to you.)
    I couldn’t see anyone following us when we drove in convoy around the corner, where Phineas made a night deposit at his bank—of a hefty sum, too, I might add, because I’d watched him total it up—nor could I observe anyone tailing us north on Rodeo Drive to Hartford Way and then onto Pamela Drive, where Phineas resided, and then into his one-car carport by the side of the house.
    We dined at home, although not by candlelight, and not even in the dining room, but perched on stools in the kitchen. Not before, however, I’d made myself highly conspicuous again by walking the dog around the house several times, then taking him up and down Pamela Drive for a couple of hundred yards each way. And, amigos, you’d better have a dog when you go for a stroll in those parts, and a local address you either are living at or visiting, because sure as shooting you’ll be stopped by local fuzz asking you politely but firmly to please assume the position, and then questions will follow.
    They would be equally suspicious of any vehicle with two men inside parked out on the street for hours at a stretch, but unfortunately for us there was a legitimate spot to park just in sight of