by Renee George
I was definitely strong enough to carry Opal. She wasn’t much taller than me, and we probably weighed about the same. My shifter strength, which was only slightly more than that of a strong human male, would make it easy. But could I do it without doing any damage to her injured leg?
Lacy came outside before I could try. “Want some help?”
“Yes,” I said eagerly. “Definitely.”
Opal shook her head. “Wimp.”
“Damn straight,” I told her. “Pearl will whoop my butt if I break you. You know, more than you’re already broken.”
“I don’t want to get in trouble here, so why don’t we move this along,” Lacy said. She opened the door. “Opal, you need to grab the chicken handle.” She pointed to the strap attached to the ceiling.
“Chicken handle?” I asked.
Lacy smiled. “That’s what my mom always called it when she was teaching me to drive.”
I got it. It was the handle you grabbed when the driver scared the pee out of you.
“What next?” Opal asked after she laced her fingers into the handle.
“Luckily, Lily’s truck is small, but the seat is still higher than your rear end, so I want you to hold and pull the chicken handle with your left hand. Next, you’ll push down on the top of the window ledge with your right to support your bad leg while you step up into the truck with your good leg to get in. I’ll stand behind you, stabilize the door and guide you in. You only have to get a hip on the seat then scoot in. Sounds easy enough, right?”
“That sounds super easy,” she said with a lot of sarcasm.
It only took one try, with an extra assist from Lacy, and Opal was safely seated in my truck and putting her seat belt on.
“Thanks, Lacy,” I said. “I appreciate you calling and the extra help.”
“Opal and Pearl helped my mom and me when I was pregnant.”
Opal stared straight ahead as if she hadn’t heard Lacy.
I focused back on the young mom.
She said, “They gave her extra-large tips, sometimes more than double what they’d paid for lunch when money was at its tightest. Mom knew what they were doing, and she appreciated that they’d never made her feel like a charity case. Now that I’m a little older, I can appreciate it as well.”
Opal grunted. That was all the reply Lacy was going to get.
“I better get back inside. I have a med pass before my shift ends.”
I nodded, then asked, “Did they ever figure out how Mrs. Davidson’s blood sugar dropped so low?”
“The doctors have no idea. She’s been a type one diabetic since she was seventeen years old. It’s not as if her pancreas can suddenly start producing its own insulin.”
“Could it have been a medication error?” I asked.
“The nurses are the ones who give the injections. That would have been Rick.”
“You gave her the glucagon shot,” I said.
“I can administer live-saving injections, like epinephrine for acute allergic reactions that involve the airway and the glucagon for severe hypoglycemia. But if she’d been conscious or her blood sugar had been over forty, I would have gotten Rick to assess and evaluate. I can’t see him making a mistake with her insulin, but I’ll look into it.” She glanced over her shoulder at the door. “I really need to get back inside. I need this job to pay for school.”
“Can we talk tonight?” I asked. “About Abby, I mean. I know you live in her apartment building.”
Lacy hesitated, then nodded. “Stop by around eight-thirty. I’ll have put Paulie to bed by then. I’ll tell you what I know.”
When I got into the truck, I grabbed my phone.
“Now is not the time to be making phone calls,” Opal said.
“I’m just going to call Pearl and give her a heads up that we’re coming.” The shower scene the last time I showed up at the Dixon residence played in my head. “It’s the polite thing to do.”
Chapter 13
Pearl Dixon was in her yard raking when I dropped off Opal. Audrey the cat was perched in the window watching us. Pearl had been home alone when I’d called, and, though she’d acted irritated, I could tell she was relieved to have Opal home. I’d already told Opal about the home health options Ryan had mentioned, but I repeated it to Pearl so she’d make sure that Opal called her doctor tomorrow to get help arranged.
After I’d made sure they were settled, I headed out to the rescue. For some reason, I really needed to hug my dog. I wanted to hug Parker as well, but Smooshie first. On the way, I called Nadine. “Hey, girl,” I said when she answered. “Just wanted to let you know I ran into Bobby at the college today. He was interviewing Dale Rogers.”
“I heard,” Nadine said, sounding amused. “I don’t think Bobby knows what to make of you most of the time, but at least he’s not a jerk about it like Avery.”
“So, are you going to tell me if you found anything at Abby’s apartment? I know you got to search it again.”
“You were there. I found the same things you found. Except for the cat, of course. I can’t believe Larry didn’t notice that there might be a cat in the apartment. What a bonehead.”
“How’d he take being usurped on the case?”
“He couldn't care less. He’s convinced it’s a suicide, and that we’re all spinning our wheels. I hope he’s not right.”
“He’s wrong,” I told her. “Also, I found out who Abby was having the affair with.”
“Tell me already.”
“It was Smith.”
“The orthopedic doctor? She set my arm for me a few years ago. I wouldn’t have guessed she swung both ways.”
“Not her,” I said. “Him.”
“I figured,” Nadine said. “I was just trying to spice it up a little. Did you get this from Reggie?”
“Nope. Margot was clueless. I’m beginning to suspect she might even be the source of the gossip about the affair, and the reason no one really knew anything is because she didn’t. She’d heard just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to be helpful. Opal told me.”
“Why, that stinker,” Nadine huffed. “I can’t believe she knew and didn’t tell us sooner.”
“She was trying to protect Abby from gossip, and she didn't think the old affair had anything to do with her death."
Nadine gave me a look and said, "Uh huh, sure."
"You, know, I’d do it for you if anything ever happened.”
“Damn right,” Nadine said. “Wipe the computer history and burn the porn stash.”
I choked out a laugh. “You don’t really have a porn stash, do you?” I asked with real interest.
“Nope,” she answered. I could hear the wink in her voice. “Again, just trying to keep it spicy.”
“Lacy told me I could stop by her place tonight around eight-thirty. Maybe we should grab Reggie and a bottle of wine and make it a girls’ night.”
Nadine laughed this time. “You hate wine.”
“I don’t hate it. I would call it more of a strong dislike.” I much preferred beer. “We can grab a six pack as well.”
“I’ll call Reggie,” she said. “I’ll swing by and pick you up around eight. Get a babysitter.”
“Smooshie will be so disappointed, Auntie Nadine.”
Nadine chuckled. “She’ll get over it.”
I hung up with my friend about the same time I arrived at the shelter. We had a great big parking lot now, so I pulled in next to Parker’s big black dually pickup. The extended bed stuck out a good five feet past my bumper. I wasn’t sure anyone needed a truck that size, but he really loved his vehicle, so who was I to judge.
When I got out, I was surprised to see Michael Lowell, who I recognized from his friend page picture, walking out of the front office.
“You’re Lily, right?” he asked as I approached his location on the sidewalk.
“I am,” I said. “Can I help you?”
“My name is Michael Lowell,” he said.
The cougar in me couldn�
��t help but size him up to evaluate his threat level. The guy was thin with short blond hair, and he was of average height, at about five feet, ten inches. He had a lean body that looked built for things like walking and yoga, not fighting.
“Hello, Michael Lowell.” I had wanted to talk to Michael about his involvement with Abby, but him showing up at my work gave me a creeping vibe. Maybe his appearance had nothing to do with me or Abby. Maybe he was looking to add a new family member to his household. “Are you looking to adopt a dog?”
“I wasn’t,” he admitted. “But Parker Knowles has a way of changing your mind. I’ve always loved animals, but I’m not sure about the responsibility.” He glanced back at the office door. “I signed up to volunteer.”
“That’s great. It’s a good way to get your feet wet, especially for animal lovers who have never kept pets.”
He nodded. “I actually came out here to see you.”
“Why ever for?” I hoped it had nothing to do with Nadine sending him a friend request on my behalf. As far as I knew, it wasn’t a dating app.
“You saved my mimi,” he said. “I just wanted to thank you personally.”
“Your mimi?”
“I’m ridiculous,” he said. “My grandma. Mimi is what I call my grandma. Jane Davidson,” he added.
“Oh, right. Mrs. Davidson.” I nodded. “How is she doing? I asked today at the home, and they said she’s still in the hospital.”
“Her blood sugar has been holding steady since the incident. They are still waiting to see if she might have any neurological deficits. But she seems to be coming around. A blood sugar that low can cause some brain damage. I’m praying she’ll be okay. The doctors are baffled. Frankly,” he said, “so am I. Mimi has always been good about regulating her blood sugar. She’s had to deal with it her entire life.”
I remembered he’d made her candy. “What’s in the caramels that you make her?” I asked.
He gawked at me. “Nothing that would cause her blood sugar to drop,” he said. “And nothing to shoot it up too high. The recipe is from a diabetes cookbook. Mimi used to make them for herself until she ended up in that place.” He fairly spat out the last word.
“How long has she been there?”
“A year and one month,” he said. “She had been living with my parents, but she stopped being able to do a lot of stuff for herself.”
“That’s a hard decision to make.”
“I don’t blame my folks,” he said swiftly. “It’s just been hard on Mimi. On everyone.”
“I’m sure.” I tried to employ Kelly’s technique of imagining if it were me. If my grandparent or parent had gotten to an age where it was impossible to keep him or her home, and I had to place them in nursing care. How would I feel? Helpless? Angry? Guilty? All of the above, probably. “She seems to like it there okay.”
“Mimi puts on a brave face.” He frowned. “Or at least I thought so.” He rubbed his arms as if suddenly chilled. “Anyway, I saw on your profile that you worked here at the pit bull rescue. I looked the place up on the internet and brought some supplies that were on the wish list as a way to say thank you for your intervention on Mimi’s behalf. As low as her blood sugar got, I'm praying she doesn't have brain damage.”
“Bringing supplies was really nice of you.” Pearl had said nice was the kiss of death for Abby. “I was sure sorry to hear about Abby Rogers,” I said. “Your grandma told me you all were dating.”
“Abby was a sweet girl, but we only went out twice. Mimi really liked her, so she hoped it would be more. I think Abby was still in love with her ex.”
“Dale Rogers?”
Michael shrugged. “She was single but not available. You know what I mean.”
I did. During the four months I’d waited for Parker to decide if he could handle my less-than-human status, I’d been “single but not available.” That’s the way it was when you loved someone, but you couldn’t be with them. “Did she have anyone she was afraid of? Anything that might have given you the idea that she might be in danger?”
He shook his head. “Honestly, I only knew her as well as someone can know a person after a couple of encounters.” He smiled. “I better get going. I promised Mimi I’d come see her tonight.”
“Do you know if Abby thought anything wrong was going on at the manor? Any resident neglect?”
He looked off into the distance for a moment as he sorted through his memories. “I’m not sure.” Then he held up a finger. “Our second date, she did ask me something strange.”
“What’s that?”
“She wanted to know if I ever felt like Mimi’s medical needs were not being met.”
“Did she mention anything specific?”
Michael shook his head. “No. I got the idea she had something particular in mind, but when I pressed her to explain, she said she’d just been curious. Mimi had developed sores on her toes, but other than that, it seems like they do a good job at taking care of her.” He shook his head. “I don’t know. It just struck me as a strange question to ask.”
I nodded. “Well, I won’t keep you, Michael. Thank you for the supplies and tell your grandma that I’m glad she’s recovering.”
He nodded. I heard a beep at his waist. He lifted his shirt and tapped a button on the side of a small device about the size of my phone.
“What’s that?” I said.
“My insulin pump. It monitors my blood glucose levels and gives me insulin as I need it.”
“You’re diabetic?”
He nodded. “It runs in the family.”
“Wow. You have to wear that all the time?”
“Since I was a teenager. Though, the insulin pumps have gotten better over time. It used to really bother me, but I’m used to it now.”
“That’s why you make diabetic candy.”
He grinned. “Mimi’s not the only one with a sweet tooth.”
I decided I liked Michael Lowell. He loved his grandma and he’d been honest during our conversation. “It’s nice to meet you, Michael. Please give your mimi my best regards.”
“I’ll do just that,” he said.
Robyn Patterson walked out an enclosed access door with Jolly, a tan mastiff-pit bull mix, into a fenced-in area in front of the rescue. Michael smiled at her. Robyn waved before starting a game of fetch with Jolly. Michael laughed as Jolly launched himself in the air.
“Do you want to come and play with us?” Robyn said, her voice a little flirty.
Michael glanced at me, and I gave him an it’s up to you shrug.
“Mimi won’t mind waiting a little bit.” He was transfixed, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of Jolly or Robyn or both. Either way, I think Michael was well on his way to becoming a pit bull lover like the rest of us.
Since there was no access through the gate from outside, I tapped his arm to get his attention. “Come on,” I told him. “I’ll take you through to play area one.”
Chapter 14
Nadine called me when she and Reggie were on their way. I’d showered and changed at Parker’s. He and his dad were going to have dinner together at the house. I hoped that meant Greer was finally going to tell Parker about the engagement. It had been hard not to spill the beans about the news last night while we were all together. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my business to tell, so I kept my mouth shut.
Still, it had been harder than I’d thought, knowing something I couldn’t tell Parker. I didn’t want to keep any secrets from him ever again. Which is why I’d told him about Stewart Smith and Abby, and Bobby’s questioning of Dale, and Abby’s mom saying she had a persistent new boyfriend, even though I didn’t think it was Michael Lowell; he hadn’t given me a stalker vibe. And I didn’t leave out the fact that a state inspection team had been scouring the nursing home, and that Abby had potentially made the call that got them there.
All in all, it was a lot of noise but not a lot of sense. It was like someone emptied several puzzles onto the floor then mixed them all up, grabbed
several handfuls, put them back in the box, and said, “Solve this.” It seemed and felt impossible, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing something in all these mismatched fragments.
I hoped our conversation with Lacy would prove to be the catalyst that brought all the pieces together.
When the girls arrived, I climbed into the back of Nadine’s car. It was a two-door sports coupe, and climbing in and out of the backseat seemed more of a me thing than a Reggie thing. Besides, I didn’t mind. I used my phone as a flashlight while I sorted through some photos of Abby’s apartment that Nadine had brought along for show and tell.
“The IT lady went through Abby’s laptop. It wasn’t hard to crack the password.”
“Let me guess. Audrey?”
“Close,” Nadine said. “It was the capital letter I, less-than symbol, the number three, and then Audrey with a capital A. You know, like I heart Audrey.”
“I get it.” Although I would never have guessed. My password was my brother’s birthday and his initials. I didn’t tend to vary it up too much unless the website I was logging into made me. Thankfully, my subscriptions were limited to less than a handful. “Did they find anything interesting?”
“We’re not sure, yet. There wasn’t a suicide note, much to Larry’s disappointment. She had been looking up lab results though, blood work and such that would indicate cancer and diseases.”
“Did Abby have cancer?” I asked.
“Not that I could find,” Reggie said. She was a healthy thirty-year-old.”
“Except for the being dead part,” Nadine added.
“Yes, except for that.”
As I scanned the pictures, I couldn’t help but feel like the photos were wrong somehow, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. “You took these today, right?”
“Yes,” Nadine said. “Got there around nine this morning and we searched until just before noon. I wish I could say we saw more, but if your eyes and nose couldn’t pick up any clues, I don’t know what hope we mere mortals had.” There was a dramatic pause before she amended, “You know, because you just seem to have a sixth-sense for these things.” She glanced sideways at Reggie, who had barely taken notice of her statement, then in the rearview mirror at me.