Chapter 2
Danny stepped past the threshold of the flower shop and smiled at the tubular bell sound. Only someone as eccentric as Jude would have such a creepy sound announce the arrival of customers. He could see where The Exorcist theme would put off all but locals to buying flowers there.
“Hi, Daniel,” the proprietor of the shop called out. Jude, originally from England, had bought the florist shop from Mrs. Pinkerton five years or so ago. If he had a last name—and didn’t everyone?—he’d never shared it with anyone in Sutter’s Bay. He’d declared he came up to Sutter’s Bay because San Francisco was too stressful for his delicate constitution.
“Good evening, Jude,” Danny said, smiling as he approached the counter. The scents of intermingling flowers filled the shop. He thought he detecte
