In Death 03 - Immortal in Death

mused. "A lab, the other chemicals."
    "And you've got yourself an illegal with mass appeal. Pay up," Engrave said with a sour smile, "be strong, be beautiful, be young and sexy. Whoever came up with this formula knew his chemistry and his human nature and understands the beauty of profit."
    "Fatal beauty."
    "Oh sure, four to six years of regular use will take you down. Your nervous system will just give out. But in four to six years, you'll have a hell of a time, and somebody's going to make big, fat credits."
    "How do you know so much about this -- what, Immortal Blossom -- if its cultivation is limited to the Eden Colony?"
    "Because I'm the top in my field, I do my homework, and my daughter happens to be head beekeeper on Eden. A licensed lab, such as this, or a horticulture expert can, with limitations, import a specimen."
    "You mean we've already got some of these down here, on planet?"
    "Mostly replicas, harmless simulations, but some of the genuine article. Regulated -- for indoor, controlled use only. Now, I've got roses to graft. Take the report and the two samples to your bright boys at Cop Central. If they can't put it all together from that, they ought to be hanged anyway."
    "You all right, Peabody?" Cautious, Eve kept a firm hand on Peabody's arm as she opened the car door.
    "Yeah, just really relaxed."
    "Too relaxed to drive," Eve noted. "I was going to have you drop me off at the florist. Plan B, we swing by and get you something to eat to counteract your flower sniffing, then you take the samples and Engrave's report by the lab."
    "Dallas." Peabody let her head rest against the seat back. "I really feel wonderful."
    Cautious, Eve eyed her. "You're not going to kiss me or anything?"
    Peabody slanted her a look. "You're not my type. Anyway, I don't feel particularly sexy. Just good. If taking that stuff is anything like smelling that flower, people are going to go crazy for it."
    "Yeah. Someone's already gone crazy enough to kill three people."
    Eve dashed into the florist shop. She had twenty minutes on the outside if she was going to track down her other suspects, badger them, get back to the station to file her report, and make the press conference.
    She spotted Roarke loitering near a display of small, flowering trees.
    "Our floral consultant is waiting for us."
    "Sorry." She wondered why anyone would want trees that were less than a foot tall. They made her feel like a freak. "I'm backed up."
    "I just walked in myself. Was Dr. Engrave helpful?"
    "And then some. She's quite a character." She followed him under a trellis of fragrant vines. "I got a load of Anna-6."
    "Ah, the Anna line. I think it's going to be a hit."
    "Especially with teenage boys."
    Roarke laughed and urged her through. "Mark, this is my fiancee, Eve Dallas."
    "Ah, yes." He looked like everyone's favorite uncle when he extended a hand, and his grip was like an arm wrestler's on a dare. "Let's see what we can do for you. Weddings are such a complicated business, and you haven't left me much time."
    "He didn't give me a hell of a lot, either."
    Mark laughed, patted his silvery hair. "Sit, relax, have a little tea. I have a great deal to show you."
    She didn't mind really, Eve decided. She liked flowers. She just hadn't known there were so damn many of them. And after five minutes, her head began to swim with orchids and lilies, roses and gardenias.
    "Simple," Roarke decided. "Traditional. No simulations."
    "Yes, of course. I have some holograms that may spark some ideas. You're having it outdoors, so I might suggest arbors, wisteria. Very traditional, and with a lovely, old-fashioned fragrance."
    Eve studied the holograms, tried to envision herself standing under an arbor with Roarke, exchanging vows. Her stomach jittered. "What about petunias?"
    Mark blinked. "Petunias?"
    "I like petunias. They're simple, and they don't pretend to be what they're not."
    "Yes, certainly. Quite charming. Perhaps backed with a bank of lilies. As to color..."
    "Do you carry Immortal Blossoms?" she asked on impulse.
    "Immortals." Mark's eyes brightened. "They're quite a specialty item. Difficult to import, of course, but very hardy and spectacular in baskets. I have several simulations."
    "We don't want simulations," Eve reminded him.
    "I'm afraid they can only be exported in small amounts, and then only to licensed florists and horticulturists. And only for indoor use. As your ceremony is outdoors -- "
    "Do you sell many?"
    "Very rarely, and only to