“That’s enough,” Ezra barked.
Reese put her hand on Broyles’ chest and pushed him backward. “Go,” she ordered, like a good second in command. “Go do your job unless this is your way of putting in your notice.”
He scoffed. “I’ll report back when I have the library squared away.” He dipped his head with grudging respect at Reese before rotating on his heel and marching over to a gathered group of four officers. After a short conversation, they got in their vehicles and drove off like a caravan of travelers.
“He’s a dick,” I said once they were gone.
“Understatement,” Ezra replied.
Reese, who wore plain clothes like Ezra, adjusted her stance. She had a hip holster on, and she looked badass. “He’s all right.” She tugged at the end of a strand of her copper-red hair. “He’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder from blindly following orders in the military, even when it went against his own moral compass.”
“You’ve gotten to know him pretty well,” Ezra commented.
Her cheeks reddened. “I’ve been on a couple of cases with him. We talked. He’s a good cop.”
Ezra’s expression remained bland. “Maybe you should go oversee his progress at the library since you work so well with him. Make sure the place is completely evacuated. Better to be safe.”
Reese gave him a two-finger salute. “You got it, boss.” She frowned, then said, “We were able to contact Abby Salinger. She’s still at her shop. She said she would be there for another hour. I’ll text you the address if you want to go interview her.” She winked at me. “Maybe take a consultant along.”
Ezra shook his head, a slight grin on his lips as she walked off.
“You want to take a field trip to Garden Cove Floral?”
“I do,” I told him.
Ezra’s smile was so genuine as he gazed down at me with his lovely green eyes. He caressed my cheek. “That’s my girl.” He glanced at Gilly, who was waiting on the porch for me. “You better let your girl know what’s up, and then we’ll get going.”
“What about the van?” Brady was sitting on one of my porch chairs, his head down, and elbows on his knees. “The kid is worried about losing his job.”
“Once we get the Starfighter lilies out, he’s free to finish his deliveries.”
“You old softie,” I said with great affection. I linked my arm in his. “Give me a minute to talk to Gilly, and I’ll meet you at the...” I frowned. “Reese was your ride.”
Ezra chuckled. “I guess you’re my ride now.”
“Is that a euphemism?”
He laughed again. “Only if you want it to be.”
I gave him a friendly elbow to the ribs as we walked toward the house. I was eager to talk with Abby Salinger at her store. Maybe there would be a scent at the shop that would lead me to a genuine memory. It was a long shot, but with little else to go on, I had to take it. I could be wrong about the library. I could be wrong about the bomb. The staged memories could be complete tricks meant to send me and the police on a wild goose chase. Even so, I had to keep trying until we found the explosive device or the deadline ran out. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t.
ChapterEight
Garden Cove Floral was in the same shopping center as the local grocery store. The warm air outside carried the scent of nearby restaurants on a gentle breeze. Abby Salinger met us at the front door, smiling politely but guardedly, as she let us in.
The store was filled with vibrant plants and intricate floral arrangements. Two refrigerators hummed quietly, showcasing various bouquets. The fresh aroma of stems, leaves, and clippings was invigorating. I was instantly hit with a few memory visions, but none related to the bomber.
Abby appeared to be in her mid-thirties. She was tall and thin with dark brown hair, pulled up into a neat bun. She wore jeans, a white top, and a floral apron that added a touch of charm to her practical outfit.
“What in the world did Brady do now?” she inquired, raising an eyebrow. “This isn’t about his pot, is it? I told him if he brought that crap to work one more time, he was fired.”
“This isn’t about Brady,” Ezra said firmly, displaying his badge. “We need to know about an order you took that was sent to Nora Black. Eight bouquets of Starfighter lilies.”
“Oh, those.” Abby’s hand moved to her neck, her fingers brushing her skin as if to ward off the nervous energy radiating from her. “That was a special order.”
Ezra crossed his arms over his chest, his expression gruff and unyielding. “Just how special was this order?”
“What’s the big deal?” Abby asked, her voice tinged with confusion. “Was Ms. Black upset about the lilies?”
