As they walked from the parking lot to the door, Val admired the elegance of the stunning tri-domed conservatory. It had opened in 1900, created by a star-studded architectural team, including famed landscaping architect Fredrick Law Olmsted. Encouraged by Jack, Val had read up on the botanic gardens ahead of their visit and knew that it had been designed to resemble the Crystal Palace in England.

On this cold winter morning Val and Jack would be staying inside, rather than visiting the outdoor gardens. Inside, in the building’s tropical warmth, Val happily unzipped her jacket. The pair was greeted by a staff member who wore a moss-green long-sleeved polo with the Botanical Garden logo stitched on the front. She smiled as Val approached. Val read her name tag; Alison it said.

“Admission for two adults?” Alison sat forward with a smile.

“I’m Valentina Knight. I’m from the Erie County Medical Examiner’s office.” Val pulled out her ID and showed it to Alison, whose eyes went wide as she glanced at it. “This is my colleague, Jack Styles. We have an appointment to see Dr. Cal Delarosa.”

“Oh, he’s expecting you. He’s in greenhouse twelve, Florida everglades.” Alison pointed to her right and handed Val a map. “Through the palm dome, and just the next greenhouse to your left. Would you like me to show you?”

“I think we can find it,” Val said, wondering what Dr. Delarosa had told this woman about her visit today. It could compromise the case if he revealed sensitive information about the tree branches and seeds. Information, Val stressed when she called him, that was not to be shared with anyone.

“Take your time as you walk through. The palm dome, the first dome you’ll enter, is our main dome and is sixty-seven feet high which allows us to have a fantastic assortment of palm and tropical fruit trees. Make sure you take a look. It’s really quite impressive,” Alison said.

“We’ll certainly do that,” Jack pulled out two twenty-dollar bills and placed them in a donation container, which was separate from the till for cost of admission.

“Thank you.” Alison smiled.

As soon as they were out of hearing distance Jack spoke. “If we’re going in for free, we should at least give something to the organization.”

As they entered through the large glass enclosure, the heat and humidity grabbed Val and she removed her coat as she immediately began to sweat. Jack did the same. Val glanced around. It was as if they just stepped into the tropics. She inspected some of the placards describing the species of trees. Pondarosa lemon, chocolate tree, foxtail palm, old man palm, were just some of them. To her left was a sign stating “House Twelve.” At least they didn’t have to go far to find Dr. Delarosa, though Val would have happily toured more of the greenhouse.