Ralph looked around the office. “So why are you here?”
“I promised Gail I’d check to see if they ransacked the place. She was going to come back and get a lawyer if the house was torn apart.”
“Bah, she should do it anyway. No offence Hattie, but that detective’s a prick.”
“I don’t think he has much fun. Do you think he’ll get a warrant?”
Ralph shrugged. “Who knows.” He looked around. “Where did you see the computer?”
“Right here on top of the desk. I told Gail about it, but I think she thought I was confusing things. I did see it and so did Muriel. By the way did you take Muriel to the bank?”
He shook his head. “She hasn’t called me yet.”
“That’s odd, her lights are on. She must be up.”
“I’ll walk over there. I can’t wait around all morning.”
“Sounds good. Meanwhile I’ll call Gail back.”
Ten minutes later, while Hattie was assuring her neighbor that nothing looked out of place, she heard an approaching siren. She went to the front window and watched as an ambulance passed her house and swerved into Muriel’s driveway.
Hattie grabbed the sill to stay steady. Moments later she was rushing down the street.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ralph was at the door. He blocked Hattie’s entry. “She’s okay.”
From what Hattie could see this was not the case. The poor thing was lying on the floor, not moving and so very pale.
“We have to let them do their job.”
“Ralph, she’s alive, isn’t she?”
He nodded. “They are taking her to the hospital. She’ll be fine.”
Hattie glared at Ralph. “Don’t block my way.”
Ralph stepped back.
Hattie bounded into the room. Unnoticed by the two EMTs, Hattie looked carefully around. Her eyes were like a camera lens. She focused, blinked, and took pictures in her mind. Snap.
Muriel lay on the floor in underwear, partially covered in a bathrobe. Snap. A slipper had fallen off her foot. Snap. A woman beside her, barked out, “Not responding to glucagon, pressure dropping.” Snap. A man poked a needle into her arm. Snap. Muriel’s face was unearthly pale.
Ralph had Hattie’s arm. “We need to let them do their job. Come on. I’ll take you home.”
“No.”
Pulling her eyes off Muriel, Hattie looked around the room for clues, for what might have possibly happened. A half slice of pie. Snap. A cup of coffee. Snap.
Suddenly, a lone insulin bottle sat on the end table. Hattie stepped away from Ralph. Her eyes scoured for the needle. There it was. On the couch.
Hattie’s deadly words came out. “She’s been poisoned.”
The man stopped and looked at Hattie.
“That bottle over there. It needs to be checked.”
Ralph grabbed Hattie’s arm. “Let’s go now.”
Refusing to budge, Hattie yelled. “Tested for Fentanyl.” Hattie looked at the ambulance people. “Whatever you’re doing isn’t working. She should be responding but she’s not. Something is wrong. Terribly wrong.”
The two EMTs exchanged glances. The man said, “Overdose? Could be.”
The woman said, “Get the Narcan or we’re going to lose her.”
Minutes later, the woman nodded to the man. “She’s stabilized. Grab that bottle of insulin and let’s take her in.”
Hattie didn’t remember how she got home. Had she walked? Did Ralph carry her?
“I called Howie. He’ll be right over.”
Hattie was propped on the couch.
“How about some tea, coffee, or a stiff drink? I sure could use one.”
“There’s whiskey.” Hattie said, casting a glance down the hall. “Somewhere in the kitchen cupboards.”
“Got plenty at the house. How about I make you a hot toddy?”
Hattie smiled weakly. “Orin used to love those. Lemon and honey, right?”
Distracted, he nodded. After some silence, he said, “What kind of poison did you say it was?”
“Fentanyl.”
“But what made you think that?”
What sense would there be to keep it secret? She hadn’t told Muriel and now the poor thing was in a coma. Or worse.
She looked pointedly at Ralph. Yes. He always was in the vicinity, first with Jason and now with Muriel. But there was more. Whoever hurt Jason and Muriel, had also entered the Spencers’ house and rifled through Julia’s drawers. Again, Ralph, sweet on Julia, was a suspect.
Hattie dove in. “It was stolen from Julia’s house.” She watched his reaction.
His face screwed up. “Stolen from Julia? How do you know that?”
“She told me.”
“But why—”
“Why is not the point, Ralph.”
“Sure. Okay. But we still don’t know for sure it was involved with Muriel’s situation.”
“Ralph, two innocent people who never took drugs, who on this very block where nothing ever happens, are either dead or dying in the same week from a hypodermic needle. What are the odds of that? Trust me, Ralph. They’ll test it at the hospital and it will be Fentanyl.”
“I can’t believe Julia would have anything to do with this. She’s a nurse for chrissake.”
“I said it was stolen from her.”
“Must have been her husband. That SOB.”
Hattie looked away. Maybe there was a silver lining in this madness. The police would have to get involved now.
Ralph stood up and went to the window. “Howie should be here soon.”
Hattie had to get to the bottom of this. She looked at Orin’s picture where she always gained comfort and inspiration. Suddenly, an idea. It was the most direct and expedient. There was no time like the present to take matters into her own hands.
“Ralph, did you hurt Jason?”
He turned away from the window. His face was stone, unsmiling. “Excuse me?”
She stayed firm. “Did you?”
“No! What the hell, Hattie.”
While Hattie didn’t know Ralph to lie, would a murderer confess so easily? Perhaps how a person reacted to such a loaded question was critical. She backed off. “Sorry Ralph. I’m stressed out over all of this.”
“Yes. We all are,” he said brusquely and returned to watch for Howie.
Moments later, he spun around. “I don’t know what is going on. But why would someone hurt either Jason or Muriel?”
Hattie sat back. Yes. Motive was the sticky matter that remained unresolved. Of everyone she had contact with, Jason and Muriel were the most easygoing, friendly, and innocent people she knew. Hattie shivered. And maybe the most vulnerable. Suddenly, Hattie thought about puppies and kittens. Innocents who are the most preyed upon, who can’t fight back, who trust. Still without a motive, Hattie came up with a profile–– whoever did such things had to be ruthless.
Queasy, Hattie said, “I don’t have a clue.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Do you want me to spend the night? I could keep you company. I’ll take off work tomorrow and we could go to the hospital.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Sure Ma. You know I have doubts about Muriel, but she’s your best friend and I’d be happy to take you.”
“I wouldn’t want you to miss work. Besides, I’m not sure if I’d be able to see her. I’ll call tomorrow. Maybe we could go on the weekend.”
“Okay. But I could still stay.”
Hattie stiffened. She wasn’t going to be sitting around. She already had a plan. First and foremost, speak with Julia. “Don’t you need to get back to work?”
“They’ll manage.”
“But you’re the acting director.”
Howie laughed. “Acting Ma. Just acting. Are you positive you want me to go?”
“There’s nothing to do here. The important thing is that Muriel is in the hospital where she’ll get help.”
“I’m sure she’ll be f
ine.”
Hattie wasn’t convinced. This was Muriel’s second hospitalization in a week. Lord, if anything happened to Muriel, what would she do? Give up? Move?
“Howie, have you spoken with Ted lately?”
“Blansky? No why?”
“Just wondering.”
“Ma, you are giving up on this incident with Jason, aren’t you?”
Hattie decided not to completely lie. “I have other things on my mind.”
“I understand.” He checked his watch. “Sure you’ll be okay?”
Hattie had a thought. “Howie, I need your opinion.”
A brief cloud of suspicion flashed across his face.
“Just a what-if question,” she said.
“You mean a hypothetical?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
He waited.
“Let’s assume I was married to your father and—”
“Ma, you were married to dad. Weren’t you?”
Hattie laughed. “Of course. Now let’s assume when I was married to your father, I found a gun and hid it away.”
“Was it loaded?”
“Yes. Definitely loaded.”
“And where did you find it?”
“In our yard.”
“Was it dad’s gun?”
“No, it was dropped there. He didn’t know anything about it.”
Howie’s brow crinkled. “Okay.”
“So, one day I was looking through the closet. You see, I had put the gun in a hat box on the top shelf. Anyway, I move some clothes around and the box dropped and opened on the floor. The minute I saw it I remembered that’s where I had stored the gun. I grabbed at the crumpled tissue paper but nothing was there. The gun was gone.”
“Okay. Did you then talk to dad?”
“No, I didn’t talk to your father.”
“But—”
“Howie, this is a hypothetical.”
Howie took in a sharp breath.
“Anyway, the very next day, the bank was robbed around the corner and the security guard was killed with the gun that was stolen from my house.”
“But how did you know it was the same gun?”
“Because this is a hypothetical and doesn’t have to be real. The point is I have a question. A moral dilemma, if you will. Would I be held responsible for someone being killed by the gun I had in my possession?”
“But it wasn’t your gun. You found it. Whoever stole it would be responsible.”
“Yes. But the gun through my negligence had been used in a crime.”
“I guess you might be held on some charge. Failure to register a firearm maybe. Ma, I don’t know all the legal ramifications of guns and stolen property. My best advice is for the hypothetical you to see a lawyer.”
Of course, Hattie thought. So obvious. Hattie wanted to jump up and give her son a kiss.
“Are you sure you’re not up to something?”
Hattie shook her head. “No. Just curious.”
“Right. Did you find a gun?”
“No. And if I did I certainly wouldn’t keep it a secret.”
“That’s good.” He stood to leave. “You know you can tell me anything. We’re together in this.”
Those were the most comforting words Hattie could hear. “I know Howie. You’re the best. And I do count on you.”
Howie bent over. His lips brushed her cheek. “Call you later.”
Hattie squeezed his arm. “Thanks.”
On his way out, Howie turned. His voice cracked, “Ma, I feel horseballs awful about Muriel.”
Hattie choked up. “I know. I know.”
After the door shut, Hattie let it out and cried hard. Some of it was from sadness, but most of it was anger. She then looked for Julia’s cell number and gave her a call.
Julia’s skin had a blueish tone, pale and translucent. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I hope I didn’t upset you?”
“I’m fine. How are you doing?”
“Hanging in there. Sorry to hear about Muriel. I spoke with Scott. Diabetes can be difficult to manage.”
“It wasn’t diabetes.” Hattie braced herself. “She was poisoned.”
“What?!”
“Julia, I need you to listen carefully...” Hattie stalled. This conversation wasn’t going to be easy. “The minute I saw the ambulance I ran over. Ralph had found her and called 911. She looked awful. Very pale. And she wasn’t moving. The EMTs had been working on her but she didn’t seem to be responding. I looked around and it appeared she had taken insulin. The woman and man who were there seemed very capable, but something wasn’t right. It was clear that whatever they were doing wasn’t working. Anyway, after our conversation yesterday, I had an idea.”
Julia’s eyes narrowed.
“I told them she had taken Fentanyl.”
“What?! But why would you say—”
“Julia, please let me finish. It seemed like a possibility that had to be considered. Anyway, since Muriel wasn’t responding, they gave her something else.”
Julia understood. “Narcan.”
“Yes, and it stabilized Muriel’s condition.”
“So, it was Fentanyl?”
“It would appear so. They made a point of taking the insulin bottle with them.”
Julia slouched into the couch.
“Now it could be a coincidence but how is that possible? Here. On Woodberry. A paperboy dies. I have pearls stolen. There’s a missing computer from the Webers and now Muriel. But there’s more. My pearls were found on Jason. The computer next door had illegal activity on it and Muriel had her identity stolen. And there’s the Fentanyl. Stolen from you and, I suspect, used on Jason and Muriel. Every incident on this block is connected to another.”
Julia looked confused.
“And if this is true, we are dealing with a truly diabolical person.”
“But who would do such a thing?” Julia swallowed hard. “It can’t be Wolf. No way.”
“I don’t know who it is. But Julia we have to stop this.”
“We? But what can I do?”
“Julia, you have to report that the drug was stolen.”
“You want me to go to the police?”
“Yes, dear. It would help them in their investigation.”
“But I’ll lose my job.”
Hattie watched Julia carefully. “I’m afraid it’s the only choice you have.”
Julia bolted from the couch. “I didn’t think things could get worse. What’s happening?”
“Julia, I can’t make you do this. It is your choice. But whoever’s out there may not stop. How many more innocent people will die?”
Julia stiffened. “Oh My God!”
“Now listen. Before you do anything, we’ll get a lawyer. I have money set aside and I’ll help you. The lawyer could advise you on the situation at your job as well as making a report to the police. You stole some medication for a reason. That’s all you did Julia. Nothing more.”
Julia stared off in a daze.
Hattie stayed quiet. Julia was critical in getting the police involved. With Muriel not around, they were the only ones who could unravel this madness.
Julia’s took a deep breath. She sat down. “Yes. I’ll do it.”
Relief swept through Hattie. “Thank you. I’ll speak with Howie about getting the right lawyer.”
“What should I tell Wolf?”
“No need to say anything right away. Let’s take one step at a time.”
Julia nodded. “Right.”
“I’ll call Howie after he gets home from work. I won’t mention your name.”
“Okay.”
“You’re going to be fine. It will be a huge relief to get this behind you.”
“Yes. It’s been hell.”
Hattie opened her arms. “Let me give you a hug.”
Julia collapsed into her embrace with sobs that came out in choppy breaths.
Hattie rocked her slowly.
An hour after Julia left, Hattie sat with the phone in
her lap. She had the number written down and was ready to go. She punched in the digits.
“St. Joseph’s Hospital, how can I direct your call?”
“My sister, Muriel Manning, was taken into the hospital earlier today. Could you please tell me how she’s doing?”
“And your name?”
“Hattie Moon. I was with her at her house when the ambulance came.”
“Mrs. Moon, Muriel Manning is in critical condition.”
“I see. Can I visit her tomorrow?”
“You should call first.”
“Yes. Okay.”
Hattie hung up the phone and took a deep breath. She turned her attention toward Orin. “Could be worse.” She said a prayer. “Please, dear God, let her live.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Winter hours were in full effect. Only 6PM and it was dark and blustery. The winds had picked up jostling through the loose windows, blowing cold air into the room. Hattie draped a blanket around her. It would be a perfect time to lie down, but she needed to call Howie about the lawyer. In a half an hour, she told herself. Let him have dinner.
Lucy sat on the front window sill. Her head darted from side to side as she appeared to watch the heaving branches, spinning leaves and whatever else she saw in the dim streetlights.
“Lucy,” Hattie patted a spot on the couch. “Come keep me company.”
The cat graced Hattie with a quick glance and went back to looking out the window.
Hattie’s eyelids felt heavy. She allowed her eyes to close. Just for a minute. She woke up at 7:30 from a knocking at the door.
Her first thought was that it was Muriel. It wasn’t until she opened the door that she realized it couldn’t be her dear friend.
“Hey Mrs. M.”
It was Scott.
“I hope this isn’t a bad time. I saw your lights on.”
How odd he looked in the evening without his uniform. With the wild weather, he wore a hat and workman’s jacket. Hattie opened the door wide. “Please come in.”
“Sure it’s not too late?”
Hattie shook her head. “No, not at all. Come sit. Would you like some hot chocolate?”
“No thanks.”
Murder in the Pachysandra Page 17