Roses and Rigamortis Read online

  Note from the Publisher: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead or references to locations, persons, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters, circumstances, and events are imaginative and not intended to reflect real events.

  Roses & Rigamortis

  Book Four of the Black Orchid Mysteries

  Copyright 2018 Pyper James

  Pyper James Presents

  All Rights Reserved and Proprietary.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, in any form or format without written permission from Publisher. Send all requests via email to

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  Printed in the United States of America

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  Acknowledgment

  Can you believe this is the end of the Black Orchid Mystery Series? It seems like we only got started and now, this series is officially coming to an end. Sigh… But none of this would be nearly as enjoyable without all of you have taken the time to read Vivica Meadow’s adventures and loved them as much as I loved writing them. Thank you! Thank you for reading with me. Thank you for sharing Vivica and Max with your friends and family who also love a good cozy mystery. Thank you for reading and reviewing! And, thank you for your willingness to give a new author a real chance to do the one thing she loves more than long walks on sandy beaches and chocolate chip cookies!

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to everyone who is reading the Black Orchid Mystery Series!

  Chapter One

  Vivica’s attention was drawn to one customer in particular. Just a minute before, she looked fine; walking around the shop, speaking with other people in the shop that she might have known. The young lady wasn’t familiar to Vivica, but she didn’t know everyone considering how long she’d been gone. But something didn’t seem right. What drew Vivica’s attention to the young woman was the fact that she stumbled, out of nowhere. Instinctively, Vivica looked down at the floor to see if there was something the young lady tripped over. She would get it to keep anyone else from doing the same. But Vivica didn’t see anything. Then, she started to hold her head as though it was hurting.

  “Winnie,” Vivica asked, moving in the direction of Winifred but keeping her eyes on the customer. “Are you familiar with…”

  “Oh, my!”

  “Somebody call 911!”

  Two weeks before…

  Everything started to move very quickly after the last case Vivica Meadows helped solve with the Dahlonega Sheriff’s Department. For once, since she’d been back home, Vivica had time to focus on her business. Never had she imagined that in just under a year, she was able to move from a mobile floral delivery service, via bicycle, to a kiosk to preparing to open the storefront for The Black Orchid Floral Shop. More than that, none of the other beginner services were ending. There were still going to be bicycle deliveries, it’s just that Vivica wasn’t going to be the only one riding.

  And the kiosk? Vivica would maintain that as well, but instead of having the shop and the kiosk in the same location, Vivica would move the kiosk to Aunt Mildred’s bed and breakfast. At least that was the original plan. It might not be an operational site all the time, but the kiosk could certainly come in handy when Aunt Mildred had special events. Since the last happenings at the Mulberry B&B had been less than pleasant, Mildred and Vivica put their heads together to change the conversation regarding her aunt’s business; to remind people of the good things about the winery and to shift the narrative from frightening because of the murder to family friendly.

  And even though Vivica found herself with more time than she had in the past, that didn’t mean there weren’t other things that occupied her days. She had a new nephew that she absolutely loved. Winnie was still recovering from the birth of her fourth son, Jared, while trying to manage the other three, and Vivica was there, as much as she could, helping her friend out. And Vivica was still concerned about her aunt; not just because of the hip thing, but Auntie Mildred took a serious hit emotionally, losing one of her oldest and dearest clients and having the murder happen on her own property. Of course, Mildred was a savvy businesswoman and immediately moved to minimize the damage to her business’ s reputation, but that’s not the part Vivica was most concerned about. Mildred kept busy, giving extra-special attention to the guests of the B&B, and baking. Mildred baked cakes, pies, cookies, cobblers and everything in between. And even after all that, Mildred stayed up late at night, under the guise of finishing up business for the day, but Vivica knew there was more to it than that.

  Yet, Mildred didn’t want to talk about what she was dealing with. And Vivica asked; not to be nosey but because she cared. Mildred had always been there for Vivica through all of the ups and downs, all the hurts, especially the death of Vivica’s parents. Vivica felt like the least she could do was try to be there for her auntie… if Mildred would let her.

  And then there was Sheriff Johnathan Harper. Right after they solved the case of Mr. Gingham, Johnathan and Vivica went out for a celebratory dinner. They had a good time, focusing on everything but their previous relationship. Talking about solving mysteries and working cases was fun. It was noncommital and didn’t involve personal feelings. But they could only talk about superficial things for so long before the big pink elephant in the room reared up on its hind legs and lifted it’s trunk, trumpeting loudly. They broached the conversation more backhandedly at first. It kind of slipped out. Thinking back on it, Vivica couldn’t remember who slipped first, whether it was her or Johnathan. However, whoever it was, their prior relationship became the topic of conversation and then all the laughter they shared over the course of dinner; all the lightweight conversation became very heavy.

  “What happened to us?”

  That was the question that stopped the jovial conversation; what happened to them. They didn’t come up with a solid answer over dinner, or even after dinner when they took a casual stroll downtown Dahlonega. And now, as Vivica took a stroll down the street towards her new shop, she still didn’t have a good answer as to why she and Johnathan couldn’t make it last.

  Distance – that was one reason that was given, but distance resulted after the relationship was headed downwards. Distance remained because it was too hard to be around Johnathan after they officially broke up. There had been physical distance, but the emotional distance preceded that. Yeah, distance was what they settled on but Vivica and maybe even Johnathan, figured it was more than that. The real question that remained unanswered was whether or not whatever was the demise of their relationship before could be overcome? Could they work it out and get back together? Was that the right thing to do? Maybe there was more than just one unanswered question. Maybe that’s why figuring love and relationships out was so friggin hard.

  But those questions would have to wait. Vivica padded the last few steps and stood in front of her shop. Looking up at the sign that hung overhead, a smile eased across her lips. The Black Orchid Flower Shop. That’s what the sign said; a nod to her mother and a nod to the love she had for one of the things that she and her mother shared, flowers. It would be easy to get teary and weep because of how much she missed her parents, but that is not what they would have wanted. This was a time for celebration. This was a time to be proud of her accomplishments. Vivica figured out what she wanted to do, what she was passionate about and followed through. She finally stuck with something long enough to see it to fruition and the shop was the culmination of all those positive things.

  “Ms. Meadows,” Demetrius St. Jacques exclaimed as Vivica entered the shop. St. Jacques was a middle-aged, flamboyantly fabulous interior designer who specialized in new commercial real estate design. He was so out of place in Dahlonega that just walking down the street, Demetrius proved to be a spectacle in his bright colored clothing, fashion-forward thinking, and an unapologetic nod to the feminine side of life. Demetrius might have stuck out like a sore thumb, but everybody in Dahlonega loved Mr. St. Jacques. You couldn’t help it and he didn’t care if you didn’t. But more than that, anyone who saw Demetrius’ design aesthetic knew that he was out of place in Dahlonega as his style rivaled the greats of New York, Paris, and all high-end couture styles around the world. And he had made a name for himself in all the bougie places. He also made enough money from private commissions by the who’s who of the one percent that he could live where he wanted and do what the hell he wanted to do. And Demetrius St. Jacques decided to do those things in little old Dahlonega, Georgia.

  “There’s something about the history of this place that attracts me to it every time I walk the streets of downtown,” Demetrius said as he adjusted the high collar of the deep purple shirt he wore against wide legged jeans over candy apple red cowboy boots with a two-inch heel. “I know you’re familiar with the history, Ms. Meadows,” he continued. “But so many don’t even understand that the streets of Dahlonega are lined with gold like the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz,” he laughed boisterously.

  “Do we mean figurative gold or literal gold, Demetrius,” Vivica asked, walking into Demetrius’ open arms and giving him a hug.

  “Both, honey! That’s why this place, your flower shop, is going to be the envy of every flower shop owner from Savannah to the top of the sweet Georgia mountains, I can promise you that!”

  Demetrius was a joy to be around. He was always so full o
f life and wonderful ideas. Vivica had done the hard part; securing the place after many rounds of negotiations and several stacks of contractual agreements to pour over. And although she was creative in her own right, having the vision to bring her ideas to life was not her strong suit. That’s why having Demetrius to help her was just what the doctor ordered. Vivica had been burning the proverbial candle at both ends; so, that was another great reason to have high-energy Demetrius around.

  “So, let’s get right to it, shall we?” Demetrius announced as though there was a crowd of people around.

  “Let’s,” Vivica chimed.

  She followed Demetrius over to the counter where he unrolled the plans he had for the shop. Vivica’s mouth fell open as the visuals of what she described, souped-up via Demetrius’ color display was breathtaking.

  “It’s so pretty,” Vivica sighed as she looked down at the plans. It was more than she could have ever imagined.

  “As I said, honey, Demetrius did not come to play. Your shop is going to be the talk of the town!”

  For the next hour, St. Jacques walked Vivica through every inch of the layout as well as the timeline for when the design installment would be complete.

  “You can get all this done in just two weeks,” Vivica asked astonished.

  “I guarantee,” Demetrius replied. “You make sure that the staff and the flowers are here, and I will take care of the rest.”

  And that was that. It was a done deal and the shop would be officially opened in just two short weeks.

  As Vivica drove back to the B&B in her Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, that she periodically referred to as a Bug, which wasn’t technically correct but still… she thought about all the work that was still left to do to have everything ready. It didn’t take long to understand, that Vivica’s available time had just been zapped.

  Chapter Two

  “I was thinking,” Aunt Mildred said as Vivica entered the kitchen. “We should celebrate the opening of the shop by doing something fun here like a bonfire or I don’t know. What are your thoughts on that? Now, I am not trying to steal or even share the spotlight with your grand opening, but I do want to help you celebrate.”

  All of that poured from Aunt Mildred in one big old sentence. Vivica watched as her aunt flitted around the kitchen, unable to settle on one thing. There were pots on the stove and pots in the oven. Mildred moved from the refrigerator to the sink and all stops in between, wiping down as she went and wringing her wet hands on her apron. Aunt Mildred wore a smile, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out that her smile genuinely stopped at her mouth and didn’t have any connection to her heart or soul. It was false.

  “Auntie,” Vivica said as she moved toward Mildred. Whether her aunt heard her calling, Vivica couldn’t be sure because Mildred kept moving. It was as though if she stopped for too long, something bad would happen and by keeping busy she could somehow ward off whatever that dreadful thing was.

  “Auntie,” Vivica said again, walking directly in front of her aunt, making all forward movement to stop.

  There was a deep and weighty sigh that fell from Mildred’s lips. Her eyes were slow to meet her niece’s, but they eventually did.

  “Let’s talk about it,” Vivica suggested, grabbing her aunt by the hand and moving her towards the chairs at the kitchen table. Reluctantly, Mildred went with her and sat solidly on the chair.

  “I don’t want to talk,” Mildred moaned.

  “But, we’re going to, auntie,” Vivica insisted. “I mean no disrespect, but you know that.”

  “I know, Mildred agreed.

  “So, talk to me,” Vivica encouraged. “Let me help you if I can.”

  “I’m just sad,” Mildred replied.

  “That’s understandable, but you wouldn’t let me wallow in my sadness, so I won’t let you wallow in yours.”

  Mildred smiled, but this time, the smile moved past her mouth and penetrated her eyes.

  “Mr. Gingham didn’t deserve it,” Mildred suggested. “He didn’t deserve it at all.”

  “No, he didn’t,” Vivica agreed. “But you know he wouldn’t want you to be sad for him. He would want you to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and live your life to the fullest.”

  “That he would,” Mildred acquiesced.

  “Besides, you are the lifeblood of this place, auntie. If you are down in the dumps, everyone else will be, too, especially the other old timers.”

  Mildred thought about what her niece said, and even though Vivica was right, it didn’t make coming to terms with her grief any easier.

  “I understand keeping busy, so you don’t have to think about it,” Vivica continued. “If you need to cry, go ahead and cry. I will be right here to wipe your tears away. If you want to sleep or do absolutely nothing, I will be here to pick up the slack. And if you want to bake everything in the inn, I’ll be here to eat right along with everyone else. Whatever you need auntie, I am here for you, with you, okay?”

  Mildred reached across the table and grabbed her niece’s hands.

  “I know,” she smiled. “Thank you, Vivica.”

  “No thanks necessary,” Vivica replied. “Now, is there any more blueberry cobbler left?”

  That brought an even more genuine smile to her auntie’s lips.

  “Coming right up!”

  One Week Later

  “I had a baby, Vivica,” Winifred fussed. “It doesn’t mean I can’t help.”

  “I know, Winnie,” Vivica replied. “I guess seeing you give birth instead of hearing about it afterward changed my whole outlook on the whole thing. I saw you push a whole baby; and not a little baby, but a whole human out. That has to be tiring and require more recovery time than just a few weeks.”

  Winifred appreciated Vivica’s concern and said as much. “I’ve done it three times before and I am fine,” Winnie insisted. “Now enough about me, let’s talk about you and the store, and the sheriff and you and…”

  “Oh, now we are down to it,” Vivica replied. “That’s what you really want to know, about Johnathan.”

  “I will not lie,” Winnie answered. “How was it? Are you guys back together, a couple again?”

  Vivica paused and thought about the question. She would like to answer in the affirmative, but the reality of their situation fell short of couple status.

  “There’s really nothing to tell,” Vivica replied. “We talked, reminisced and that was about it.”

  “So, he’s still noncommittal?”

  “Is that what our problem was,” Vivica asked earnestly.

  “No, that’s what you all’s problem is,” Winnie confirmed. “Johnathan’s afraid of commitment because he doesn’t want to get his heart broken again. And you my oldest and dearest friend, are afraid of committing because you don’t want another person to leave you.”

  Winnie knew she was teetering on dangerously painful ground, but, she wouldn’t lie. Vivica deserved her honesty. Vivica knew it was coming from a place of love.

  “Why do you always have to be right,” Vivica scoffed. “Why?”

  “I don’t know,” Winnie replied. “Call it a gift and a curse,” she jested.

  “Mmhmm, subject change,” Vivica jested in return.

  “Fine,” Winnie quipped. “So, what’s left to do for the grand opening?”

  “Winnie, it feels like so much. It’s like as soon as I cross one thing off my list, I end up adding two more. It’s never ending!”

  “Okay, what are the most important things that are left?”

  “I have completed the hiring,” Vivica answered. “Demetrius has the shop looking amazing already even though he’s not finished. I have to finalize the marketing stuff. And I’m sure there’s something I’m forgetting,” Vivica said scratching her head.

  “I can handle the marketing,” Winnie replied. “So, you can take that off your list.”

  “Really? I mean you have a plan?”

  “Of course, I have a plan. We’re going old school, and it won’t require that I expend a whole lot of energy since you think I still should be bedridden or something. I can design flyers and have big Joe print them. He and the kids can pass them out. You and I can do a mobile campaign in your cute little car with hand-painted signs and a bullhorn and put an ad in the local paper. Everyone in Dahlonega and neighboring cities will know about the opening and it will be awesome!”