Several Years Earlier…
Reynie squinted in the beam of the light.
"Who are you?" a voice said.
"Put the light down and I'll tell you," Reynie responded. Whoever was in front of them hesitated, deciding. Finally they cast the beam to the ground and Reynie could see their face. The girl was a teenager, awkward with an acne scarred face.
"The garden's closed. You shouldn't be here," she said.
"Neither should you, I think," Reynie said calmly. "What's your name?"
The girl's eyes widened in alarm. She took a few steps back, shaking her head. Reynie gave Sticky a significant look and both of them dropped their bags and held their palms out open. "I promise we don't mean any harm," Reynie continued, "We just want to get out of here. Our friends are waiting for us,"
"Are you stealing something?" The girl cast a nervous glance towards the mansion that towered over the expansive garden.
"Only some leaves. Is that okay?" Reynie did his best to appear non threatening. He could tell the girl was scared, but not of him. She kept checking over her shoulder, anxiously shifting in place. She was afraid of being caught, but by whom?
"Why do you want leaves? You can get those anywhere," she asked.
"We love plants," Sticky blurted out. The girl gave him a skeptical look. "We, uh, really like them,"
"We need them for medical purposes," Reynie explained. "We've actually been having trouble finding them."
"Are they rare?"
"Sort of,"
"Very valuable then?"
"Only to certain people. And we don't plan on selling them,"
The girl frowned, contemplating. Both Reynie and Sticky gave her an awkward smile.
"If you're telling the truth…"
"We are." They said it in unison
"I guess you have a good use for them…"
"We do,"
The girl bit her lip. "Fine, just take them. In any case, I have to get back before my aunt notices I'm gone," Again, she looked up at the mansion with trepidation.
"Your aunt?" Sticky asked.
"Go on," Reynie interrupted, figuring it best not to pursue the subject, "Don't get in trouble for our sake. We have to get going as well,"
She made to leave but stopped mid motion. She turned to look at the two gentlemen, eyes no longer fearful, but searching. "The back exit is monitored, you know,"
Reynie and Sticky exchanged a glance. Sticky cleared his throat, slightly abashed at this oversight.
"No, actually. We didn't kn-"
"Well it is," she paused and glanced around her, as if an eavesdropper lay waiting in the bushes. "But," she continued in a low whisper, "if you go straight past the elephant topiary and then make two rights, you'll find a low spot in the wall that's easy to climb over," she pointed in the direction she'd come.
Reynie smiled at her. "Thank you,"
"What for?" And she winked at them, turned off her flashlight, and ran off into the night.
Sticky watched her retreating figure. "I think I know who that was," he said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Reynie asked.
"When I was researching the gardens, I learned it was established by a Miss Tabitha R. Gregor. She funded and oversaw the entire project as a way to encourage current and future generations to appreciate the beauty of nature. It was a very fascinating story. You see, her father worked as the groundskeeper for the owners of that very mansion," he pointed at the edifice, "and he was what encouraged her to preserve the gardens after he passed away,"
"So you think that's who lives up there?" Reynie was used to bringing his friend back to the subject matter.
"Oh I know she does, as long as my source isn't outdated. It didn't mention anything about a niece, or any other family beyond her father, but lack of evidence does not prove lack of existence, of course."
Reynie nodded. "Of course. Say, the girl's are probably wondering where we got off to. We better go meet them before Kate plans a half-cocked rescue mission,"
"Yes, that sounds like her," He sighed. "It's a shame to leave the garden, though. It really is beautiful." Sticky gazed around at the flowering trees and impressively shaped shrubbery.
"We'll have to come back sometime," Reynie picked up his bag and swung it over his shoulder.
"Yes. Let's do that," Sticky said as he grabbed his own. And the two took off into the night.