EG03 - The Water Lily Cross Read Online Free PDF Page B

it can be achieved botanically, it would be considered an important scientific coup, at least on the surface.” He paused, in thought. “Though in practical terms it would certainly present quite a few problems, one would think—quite a few.”
    “I’m a little surprised he didn’t confide in you, Lawrence.”
    “Maybe he planned to, at one point. Who knows? Didn’t you say that he intended to call me?”
    “Yes. I wish he had.”
    Kingston nodded. “All we can do right now is pray that Stewart shows up or that the police find him unharmed.” He forced a smile. “Look,” he said, “there are probably any number of explanations. We’ll know, soon, I’m sure.”
    “God, I hope you’re right, Lawrence,” she murmured. “It’s the not knowing that hurts the most.”
    Turning away, Kingston thought for a moment. “Did Stewart have any help with the garden? A gardener or handyman?”
    “He did, yes. A young man called William. I don’t think he was a gardener, though. He did all the heavy lifting stuff, so to speak. The things that Stewart had given up doing himself.”
    “Local fellow?”
    “From Verwood, I believe. Some days he would bike over.”
    Kingston made a mental note to talk to William. “You mentioned a garden club?”
    “Right.”
    “A local one, I take it?”
    “Yes. The Sarum Garden Club in Salisbury. We get the newsletter every month.”
    “Do you have one, by chance?”
    “I’ll take a look. I believe it’s in the pile of papers in the mud room, for recycling.”
    “If not, I can always give them a call.”
    “You think someone at the club might know something?”
    “It’s a long shot but you never know.”
    Becky nodded. “I suppose so,” she said resignedly.
    “Will you be all right tonight? I mean, would you like me to stay longer—a couple more days, perhaps? I was to attend a friend’s birthday party tonight. But I can easily make a call and tell them that I can’t make it. Andrew will understand,” Kingston said, standing and smoothing his trouser legs.
    Becky got up and walked over to him. “No,” she said, looking up into his blue eyes. “You’ve done enough for now, Lawrence. Don’t let your friend down. You go back home and enjoy yourself tonight. And don’t worry, Sarah will be here tomorrow. I’ll be just fine.” She summoned a tiny smile. “At least we know a lot more now than we did yesterday.” Then she stood on tiptoe, leaned forward and gave him a peck on the cheek. He could feel the contours of her slender body. “Thank you for coming down, Lawrence—for today and the other day,” she said. “It’s meant an awful lot to me.”
    Kingston looked into her doleful eyes. “Promise to call me immediately if you hear anything. Sometimes I’m not too good about answering my mobile but I’ll make sure I check the messages.” He took her hand and held it tightly. “Meantime, I’ll read up on that water lily. I know a chap who runs a nursery and water garden in St. Albans. I think a chat with him might be in order, though I doubt seriously he’ll know anything about plants that consume salt,” he added, with a shake of his head. “He’ll probably think I’m a few bricks short of a full load.”
    She managed another thin smile then said, “You’ll convince him, I’m sure.”
    “As far-fetched as it is, there’s no mistaking Stewart’s message,” he said, letting go of her hand.
    Becky touched his arm. “Wait here a minute, I’ll look for that newsletter,” she said.
    In less than a minute she was back, newsletter in hand.
    “By the way,” she said, as they reached the front door, “I forgot to ask you. “You didn’t say what ‘Fork’ meant. And how on earth did you know the message was hidden in the stapler?”
    “That’s right, I didn’t tell you, did I? Well, once I figured out that Stewart was leaving a clue, that was easy. It meant ‘For K’—for Kingston.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “Who would have guessed,”