The Accidental Florist

had paid the bill, Jane’s father said instead of looking for condos they wanted to see the office she was building for Mel. Mike and Todd took Mike’s truck, and Jane took her parents and Katie home in her Jeep.
    The work was admired. “When will it be done?“ her father asked.
    “It was supposed to be done when we got married, but since we moved the date forward, Mel will have to wait to move his things.“
    As she spoke, the phone rang and she rushed back inside to catch the call.
    “Janey,“ Mel said. “Where and when are all of you having dinner? And may I join you?“
    “I’d love that. They’re all here looking at your office. Nobody’s working on it because it’s Sunday. Is your mother still here?“
    “Nope. She escaped first thing this morning.“
    Jane was tempted to show her relief, but managed to sound sorry. “She won’t get to see your office today.“
    “Dinner, Jane? I’ve only had an Egg McMuffin for breakfast. And it was early.“
    When she called back to tell him where they’d decided to go, he said, “Let me pick you up so I can talk to you privately.“
    “You’ve found them, haven’t you?“
    “We have. The brother is in big trouble. We’re hoping his sister will try to save herself by spilling the beans.“

Epilogue

    First,“ Mel explained, “the brother and sister were surprised that two people, one in a tux and the other in a red dress and hat, were beating on their door at one in the morning with three uniformed, armed men standing behind them.“
    That made Jane laugh.
    “They were completely befuddled and so dim that they invited us all inside. I asked them if the house was a rental and if so, who owned it. The brother, if he really is Miss Welbourne’s son, rummaged in his billfold for the owner’s business card and gave it to me. I handed it over to Officer Needham and she went outside to call and wake the owner up. She asked him when the Welbournes had rented the house.“
    “And when was it?“ Jane asked.
    “A week before Miss Welbourne was murdered.“
    “Time to find out where she lived and where she worked?“ Jane asked.
    “Maybe. Welbourne said he’d been to the barbershop that morning and while waiting looked through an old copy of the New York Times, and saw the picture of himself and his sister.
    “Then I asked them if they’d dress and come down to the police station and again, they stupidly, or cannily, agreed. I left two of the other officers to stay at the house until the judge, who wasn’t happy to be woken up in the middle of the night, signed a warrant to search the house.“
    “What did they find?“
    “The blackjack. In a small black Dopp kit at the back of a drawer.“
    “Have you tested it against Miss Welbourne’s DNA?“
    “That takes a lot longer than you’d think, Janey. But his fingerprints were on it and some blood and hair. The blood group is easy to determine, but not evidence enough.
    “Jane,“ he went on, “wouldn’t you think a reasonable person would have gone out late at night, found a block where trash bins were sitting out for pickup in the morning, and put the Dopp kit in one of them?“
    “Does he seem to be mentally impaired?“
    “Not at all. He even said he’d found out where his mother had her meetings and wanted to talk to her, but she called the police and he went away.“
    “Where are they now?“
    “In separate cells where they can’t hear or talk to each other. By law, we can only hold them for twenty-four hours. But the house will be watched by a fleet of officers.“
    “Can you explain to the rest of my family why you bolted after the first dance?“
    “Just generally, without any names.“
    Two weeks later, Mel told Jane, “They’re back in Perth, with all of the documentation, and the brother will be charged with murder. He was handcuffed for the flight to a marshal at the back of the plane and his sister was handcuffed to another marshal at the front. The sister claimed she didn’t know what he’d done and was so very sorry he’d killed their mother. Acted as if it was the most horrible thing she’d ever heard. She was a very bad liar. Couldn’t even fake tears. She’s being charged as an accomplice.“
    “You did a good job, Mel. And your office will be ready on Friday to move your things in,“ Jane said.
    A week later, Jane watched as the Salvation Army truck levered out the stove and refrigerator from Mel’s apartment. Then the smaller items came out, the bread