Lilies That Fester by Janis Harrison Page B

injury.”
    â€œNow, now,” said Tyrone. “Let’s not make this more than it is. You’d better go have that wound tended to, Zach. Ask someone at the front desk who to call.”
    Zach left the dining room grumbling and limping. Effie looked as if she was about to pass out. I put my arm around her shoulders and helped her into her chair. “It was an accident, Effie. He’ll be fine.”
    â€œYes, but I feel terrible. I don’t understand how the knife got into that chair. I had it in the basket I brought the place cards in. I’m sure I didn’t take it out.”

    Suddenly Delia scooted away from the table and stood up.
    Effie looked her over and whispered to me. “Greek, dear. Delia means ‘easily seen.’ In that red outfit, she’d stop a tenton truck.”
    Delia glared accusingly around the room. “We’ve had our little drama, now can we get back to the important subject of this weekend? I gather that Miriam and I are the only ones that see this contest as a potential fiasco. Bretta has to be made to see that we deserve to know—”
    Her speech came to a grinding halt when Gellie asked the waitress for a cup of hot water, and the young woman didn’t understand the request.
    â€œHot water,” repeated Gellie, pulling a tea bag from a zippered pouch in her purse. She glanced across the table at me and winked. “Lesser of two evils, Bretta,” she said quietly.
    I didn’t know what Gellie meant until she said in a more normal voice, “What a wonderful idea to present a trophy to the winner.”
    I shook my head at her and tried not to laugh. Deep down inside where it counted, Gellie hadn’t changed. She knew that if Delia persisted on this overworked subject, I’d be pissed, and might tell the whole group to take a hike. However, a wrangle with Bernice was wicked pleasure.
    Bernice is tall, broad, and has all the finesse of an ocean liner. Cajole and flatter aren’t in her vocabulary. She speaks her mind, has the last say, and takes pleasure in leaving demoralized bodies in her wake. I just didn’t plan on being one. Before she spoke, I turned to her, knowing what was coming. She didn’t disappoint.
    â€œWhere is the bill for that trophy? How much did it cost?”
    I named a figure that caused her to slump against the table. Her speechlessness lasted for a breath, but when she opened her
mouth, I was ahead of her. “I haven’t gone over my allotted budget, Bernice. With so many donated items, I’m justified in spending the money. The trip to Hawaii is wonderful, but I want to hand the winner something special when he or she succeeds.”
    â€œYou should have told me. Keeping hidden expenditures from the treasurer is a sure way of getting things out of kilter. I’m responsible for every cent, and I intend for these books to show a profit.” She glanced at Tyrone before peering suspiciously at me. “Which reminds me. Where is the bill for the shipment that was delivered about an hour ago?”
    Frowning, I asked, “What shipment? The contest flowers will arrive in the morning.”
    â€œWhen I was in the basement a Federal Express man brought a huge box. There was no bill of lading. No invoice. Nothing.”
    I wondered what she was doing in the basement. “Perhaps it’s another donation.”
    â€œFrom California? What wholesaler from out west is going to donate flowers for a contest in Missouri?”
    â€œMaybe it’s a direct shipment from the grower. I won’t know until I check my notes.”
    Delia had sat down, but now she leaned forward. Her tone was sarcastic. “You mean you really have something written down? There are plans? There are notes? There is a list of categories?”
    â€œYes, Delia. I’ve worked damned hard on this contest.”
    â€œSo you say, but we haven’t seen any proof.”
    â€œNow, ladies,”