The Red Flower

Ralph Schmidt was not a botanical genius, but he loved to work with his Christmas cactus. They normally flower once a year, around Christmas time. That has given the cactus its name. Now Ralph has produced a Christmas cactus that flowers every second month. He was able to make his cactus's so some of the flowers at different times. In this way, he always had some plants flowering. A girlfriend of his had taken two of these red flowers and ripped them of the cactus. Ralph got so mad he killed her instantly and dismembered her body. Detective Jack Laurence had been given the job to find the killer. Together with Officer Bruce Lind, they had to interview the Governor of the state. It turned out that he together with his family had visited Palm Beach on the day of the killing, and was taken off the list of suspects. The Governor's right-hand man, Mr. Ralph Schmidt felt the pressure from the police getting closer, so he left the state to go to Mexico. Having some trouble by the border he decided to stay in the state, but close to the border. Then instead of taking in at a motel, he decided to rent a private room. He found one, and the landlady, a Linda Strong wished him welcome. During some conversation, she asked if he had a hobby. Yea sure, said Ralph and showed her his Christmas cactus, and explained that his plants get flowers every second month. So what, asked this Linda. They are still only a Christmas cactus. This hit Ralph the wrong way, and he killed Linda Strong. What he hadn't figured on was Linda's boyfriend.