Solve-it-yourself mystery
Tom Yearich, master gardener and nature enthusiast, hummed softly as he traversed the dirt path of the Lockerly Arboretum where he volunteered on summer afternoons. A late morning downpour had made a mess of the dirt trail, but Tom didn’t mind. Without the rain, the plants wouldn’t thrive.
Gazing ahead, he nearly dropped his garden trowel at a shocking sight: An entire section of flowers had been uprooted and hauled away.
He dialed the arboretum’s office on his cell. Amy Tucker, the office assistant, informed him the director was out.
“Can you come over right away?” Tom said. “Someone destroyed a bed of crocuses!”
Amy agreed to check it out, and moments later, Tom met her at the trail entrance, waving at her to follow him in.
“It’s messy,” he admitted when Amy stopped to inspect the ruined bottoms of her white sandals.
“If I’d known it was a mud bath,” she muttered with a scowl, “I’d have sent my intern.”
“You know how it is. Plants grow in dirt and dirt turns to mud after a rain.” He stopped, pointed. “There. See it?”
Amy frowned. “Yes…quite a hole there. Could’ve been an animal. Like a skunk, maybe?”
Tom gestured at a deep hole within the tangled mess. “Skunks don’t carry shovels.”
“In that case, we’re looking for a thief, not a vandal. What’s the plant?”
“Saffron crocuses. Ever heard of saffron?” Amy shook her head. “It’s a cooking spice,” Tom explained. “Expensive one too.” He peered into the tangled brush. “You see that?” He pointed at something within, glinting in the sunshine.
Reaching inside, he plucked out a pair of woman’s sunglasses, as it occurred to him that the thief would’ve had to have been familiar with the arboretum’s layout.
“I can check the visitor signin sheet to see if any names come to light,” Amy offered. “Mind if I come along?” “The more, the merrier.” Back at the office, Amy and Tom checked the list. Most visitors were out-of-towners, so they focused on two locals: Maisel Roberts, arboretum volunteer and restaurateur, and Ginger Segal, former arboretum volunteer. Tom and Amy figured they’d have a word with both, and call the police if a crime could be proven.
At the restaurant, Maisel met the two in her office.
“The arboretum truly appreciates your work volunteering,” Tom said gently, trying to put her at ease.
“Just before closing yesterday, you and a friend visited the gardens?” Amy asked.
“Yes.” Maisel shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I understand the arboretum closes at dusk, but we wanted to see the meteor shower.” “How late did you stay?” “A couple of hours. Maybe three, until it got too chilly.”
Tom selected a menu and scanned its contents. “Do any of these dishes have saffron?”
“Well, the paella and a handful of others.” Maisel squinted. “Why do you ask?” Tom flashed a soothing smile before Amy said, “Just planning a special night out.”
They thanked Maisel for her time and headed over to Ginger’s house.
“We’re from the arboretum,” Amy said. “Do you have some time to talk?”
“Why? So, you can accuse me of more nonsense?” Ginger huffed. “I was at the arboretum first thing this morning. I saw the flower beds.” “You did?” Tom asked. “Yeah, and I had nothing to do with it. So, get lost!” Ginger barked, slamming the door.
Walking away, Amy said, “It must’ve been Maisel, right?”
Tom, lost in thought, didn’t reply. If the crocuses had been destroyed by dawn, then he supposed that were true, especially with the menu items. But something just didn’t add up.
Then he lit up. Using his cell, Tom dialed the police. “Officer, I’d like to report a theft.” Noticing Amy’s questioning look, he winked. “I’m pretty sure we’ve found the culprit.”