The First Ladies Club Box Set

by J B Hawker

  “Are you okay?” Ken asked, sitting in the chair beside his wife.

  “Are you Mrs. Falls? I’m Detective John Ransom. You found Dr. Haleby, I understand.”

  Judy attempted to reply to both men, saying, “I’m fine. Yes, I’m Judy Falls.”

  “You told Deputy Williams the doctor spoke to you while you waited for the ambulance, I understand. Would you mind answering a few questions?” Ransom asked, taking the chair on Judy’s other side.

  Ken looked at his wife with a puzzled expression but didn’t try to interrupt.

  “Of course, Detective. What would you like to know?” Judy asked.

  “You told Williams the doctor spoke about his late cousin. Is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can you tell me exactly what he said?”

  “I’m not sure I can remember exactly. The doctor wasn’t coherent much of the time and I may not have understood him right,” Judy said.

  “Just tell me what you think he said.”

  Judy repeated the doctor’s comments, as well as she could remember them.

  “I got the impression the doctor was in an accident of some sort with his cousin, perhaps a car crash? I think when she died, he must’ve panicked and put her body in that chest to cover it up. He seemed to be overwhelmed with guilt,” Judy added.

  “That’s certainly a possibility. When the doctor is able to be questioned, maybe he can clear this up for us. Thank you for your help,” Ransom said, getting up and going out of the waiting room.

  “You’ve had quite an evening, haven’t you?” Ken said. “Let’s get dinner at the Crab Shack on the way home.”

  “Oh, good idea!” Judy said. “What do you think about Cassandra and Aspidistra for girls?”

  “What in the world?” Ken began, then spied the open magazine in Judy’s lap. “I was thinking we might choose Bible names, this time.”

  “Oh, okay, but I want to find out how Doctor Haleby is before we leave. Do you mind waiting?”

  “I’ll go ask about his condition. If he’s being admitted, there’s no reason for us to hang around. I’ll be right back,” Ken said, then kissed Judy on the forehead and went to get the information.

  He returned in a few moments with the news that Haleby was in surgery.

  “He broke his hip and has a concussion, so he’ll be here for a few days, at least. We can come back when he’s up to having visitors. Let’s go,” Ken said, holding out his hand to Judy.

  *

  At the Falls’s home, Paisley and Astilbe were sitting on Astilbe’s bed, listening to music and sharing a frozen pizza.

  “I’m glad Dad and Mom decided to eat out tonight. This pizza is good,” Astilbe said around a mouthful.

  “When they called, did they say how the doctor was?” Paisley asked.

  “No, but I’ll bet he had a stroke from the shock of his wife’s death. That would explain why he was acting so weird and why he fell, too.”

  “Yeah, he is pretty old, after all,” Paisley agreed. “I wonder what will happen to his practice. He’ll probably retire, after this, don’t you think?”

  “Oh, I hope he doesn’t do that until after graduation. I need those Work Experience credits,” Astilbe said.

  “If he retires, folks in Bannoch will have to drive to Tillamook for a doctor or go to the hospital ER.”

  “Maybe Dr. Haleby’s son or daughter who are physicians will take over his practice. That would be sort of cool,” Astilbe said. “Or they could both do it and have a joint practice!”

  “You don’t mind planning people’s lives for them, do you?” Paisley teased. “Are you getting a God-complex, now? I didn’t think veterinarians were susceptible to that particular ailment.”

  “Ha. Seriously, though, I don’t understand how anybody would want to be God. How can you make a decision, when everything that happens affects so many people? If a farmer prays for rain and you give it him, it can cause a flood that destroys someone else’s home. Too many possibilities for unintended consequences. I wouldn’t want that responsibility, for sure.”

  “You got that right,” Paisley agreed.

  *

  Doctor Haleby was in the recovery wing when Detective Ransom finally cornered the physician treating him.

  “I’m sorry, Detective, but my patient is in no condition to be questioned, right now. He isn’t even completely awake, and he’s just been through major surgery.”

  “I’m working on a homicide case, Doctor. It is important for me to speak with Haleby,” Ransom said.

  “You will have to come back tomorrow. Cassius Haleby is an old man who has had a series of blows, both emotional and physical, today. You do know that his wife just died, don’t you?”

  “I’d heard that. Natural causes, was it?” Ransom asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Don’t be absurd! If you insist on hounding this fine man, you will have to come back to do it some other time.”

  “I’ll do that, Doctor. I will definitely do that,” Ransom said and walked away.

  Chapter 25

  Paisley and Astilbe waved to their parents and dashed out the door to school.

  Judy topped up Ken’s coffee, poured a cup of dandelion root beverage for herself and joined him at the kitchen table.

  “You had quite a day yesterday. Do you still feel up to house-hunting this morning?” Ken asked.

  “Absolutely. I’m eager to get all the upheaval behind us,” Judy said. “I think I was wrong to tell Lyle all that nonsense Dr. Haleby said when he was delirious. I’ll bet he was just confused by his fall and his wife’s death. After all, he’s been dealing with lots of upheaval, too, ever since I found his cousin’s body, and he is an old man.”

  “He was obviously extremely upset by Inez’s death. Otherwise, he’d never have abandoned Astilbe on the ride home. That was beyond strange,” Ken said.

  “I hope he’s doing better today. We should stop by the hospital after we check out the homes on our list.”

  “But, only a quick visit. I need to spend some time at the church. I am not retired, yet, remember.”

  “Right,” Judy said, hopping up and rinsing their empty mugs. “I’m ready, if you are.”

  “Let’s go, then, and find the house of our dreams where we will raise our surprise second family.”

  *

  Detective Ransom put down the phone as Sergeant Forester came into his office.

  “How’s the doctor?” Forester asked, sitting down.

  “They say he still isn’t up to answering any questions, but I’m wondering if that’s just a stall. His doctor wasn’t too keen on letting me see him,” Ransom replied.

  “So, what do we do, now? That stuff he said to the preacher’s wife sounded an awful lot like a confession to me.”

  “Yeah, but with no evidence we can’t go forward, unless he’s willing to say it again with all the details and in his right mind.”

  “I hate old cases,” Forester complained. “On TV they make it seem like all we need is DNA and the crime solves itself, but trying to dig up information from almost half a century ago is frustrating.”

  “We sure can’t charge anyone, after all this time, without something pretty concrete,” Ransom said. “I would much rather try to convict Hewitt than the sainted doctor, but my gut tells me the doc did it.”

  “Shall I keep checking with the hospital?” Forester asked.

  “Yeah, do that. If they keep putting us off, we’re going over there and find out just how sick the old guy really is.”

  *

  The Haleby children had rendezvoused at the Portland airport and traveled together to their father’s house to unpack before going to the hospital. They had been making arrangements to come for their mother’s funeral when Noel relayed the information about their father’s accident.

  “When Father is well enough to leave the hospital, I think we need to move him into senior housing,” Haleby’s oldest daughter, Madelyn, said as she came down the stairs. “
Mother’s room is a sty. Father is obviously past caring for such a big place.”

  “I agree,” Noel said. “One of us needs to have power of attorney, then we can sell this property.”

  “I’ll draw up the papers,” Marcus said. “But you and Madelyn will need to secure affidavits from some of your friends in the medical profession testifying to his mental incompetence.”

  “Father won’t like that,” Thaddeus said.

  “But it needs to be done, Thad,” Priscilla said. “Don’t you agree?”

  “Oh, sure, I agree, I just don’t want to be there when you guys tell him,” he said.

  “It may not be necessary,” Noel said. “When I spoke with the old man’s doctor, he said Father was in pretty rough shape from the shock of his injuries.”

  “I suppose we’d better head over to the hospital and see for ourselves,” Madelyn suggested. “No point in making unnecessary plans.”

  The others agreed, so the siblings gathered their handbags and briefcases and went out to their rented minivan for the drive into town.

  *

  “Hi, Gwennie,” Elizabeth Gilbert called to her friend as she entered the local supermarket. “What are you doing out and about on a workday?”

  “Hi, Liz. Doctor closed the office for a few days. His wife died yesterday. Didn’t you hear?” Gwennie asked.

  “Why, no. Gil and I were in Portland yesterday. How sad. How did she die?”

  “It’s funny, but Doctor H. didn’t actually give us any details.”

  “I suppose that’s natural enough. It was so sudden, he was probably too upset,” Elizabeth suggested.

  “Yeah,” Gwennie said. “He wasn’t himself, that’s for sure. That awful Bitsy suggested Mrs. Haleby’s drinking killed her. What a gossip.”

  “I guess it’s a good thing we aren’t rumor mongers, then,” Elizabeth said, grinning. “Enjoy your time off. See you.”

  Gwennie pushed her cart into a checkout line and Elizabeth walked to the stationery section to find a condolence card for the doctor.

  *

  Touring the final house of the morning, Judy stepped through the French doors from the formal dining room.

  “Ooh!” she squealed when she set her eyes on the garden area and workshop beyond the patio and lawn. “It’s perfect!”

  “If you clap your hands and jump up and down like a child on Christmas morning, your enthusiasm might drive the price up in any negotiations, my darling,” Ken teased.

  “Not to worry, Ken,” Naidenne Davidson said with a smile. “I won’t tell the seller how much you like it. We real estate professionals have our vows of confidentiality, too, you know.”

  “Naidenne, do you think we can really afford this one?” Judy asked.

  She was trying hard to maintain her new, more mature, persona, but she could scarcely contain herself; this house was exactly right.

  “It is within your budget and the seller is motivated. They might even consider a lower offer. Property hasn’t been moving very quickly in Bannoch. In fact, this place has been on the market for over a year. Most of the people moving into the area are retirees looking to down-size. This property is too big for them,” Naidenne explained. “With your girls graduating this year, I was surprised you aren’t looking for a smaller place, too.”

  “Oh, we’ll need all five bedrooms. One for the girls to share when they’re at home, one for us, my sewing room, an office for Ken, and a nursery for the twins,” Judy rattled off, counting on her fingers.

  “A bedroom for the girls and a ‘nursery’ for them, too? I’m confused,” Naidenne said.

  “Oops!” Judy said, clamping one hand over her mouth.

  Ken shook his head in resignation.

  “We weren’t telling anyone, yet,” he said. “Judy is expecting. In a few months there will be another set of twins in the Falls family.”

  “Please don’t say anything to the other First Ladies, Naidenne,” Judy said. “I plan to tell everyone at the meeting next month. I don’t think I will be able to hide it after that, unless I go around in baggy granny dresses and ponchos, but I’m trying hard to dress more appropriately for my age.”

  “Congratulations!” Naidenne said. “I’m so happy for you both, but please don’t change your unique style, Judy. Everything gets just a little bit brighter and more cheerful when you enter a room.”

  “I think we might be ready to make an offer, Naidenne,” Ken said. “That is, if the inspection doesn’t find any major issues.”

  “Would you like to come back to my office with me to sign an offer?” Naidenne asked, gesturing toward the street.

  “Ken, don’t forget, we have to go visit Dr. Haleby in the hospital,” Judy said.

  “I imagine he will still be there after we take care of the paperwork. You are sure this is the place for us, right?”

  “Oh, I’m very sure,” Judy said. “I guess he will probably feel more like having visitors after lunch, anyway. I always do.”

  “I didn’t know Dr. Haleby was in the hospital,” Naidenne said. “I heard about Inez, though. Did he have a heart attack or something? It frequently happens with long-married couples.”

  “No, he fell off his deck and broke his hip last night,” Judy replied.

  “How awful! I’ll tell Scott. I’m sure he will want to stop and see him,” Naidenne said while locking up the house.

  *

  Arriving at the hospital, the Haleby children asked to see the physician in charge of their father’s case. He wasn’t immediately available, so the nurse asked them all to go to the waiting room while she paged the doctor.

  “I’d forgotten what a hole in the wall this hospital is,” Madelyn said, taking a seat on one of the stained plastic chairs. “I wouldn’t practice here for anything.”

  “Do you think we should have Father moved to Portland?” Thad asked.

  “Not until we know his condition,” Noel said. “If he’s going to die, he might as well do it here as anyplace.”

  Marcus paced in front of the windows, looking out on the pine trees as condensing fog dripped from their needles onto the cars parked beneath.

  “Why is that doctor keeping us waiting? Doesn’t he know who we are?” he asked.

  “I’m sure he will be here as soon as he can, Marc,” Priscilla said. “Didn’t you hear them paging him?”

  “He’s probably outside having a smoke or chatting up one of the nurses,” Marcus responded.

  “Hsst,” Thad warned. “He’s coming.”

  Noel stepped forward to greet the doctor.

  “Doctor?” he said, extending his hand.

  “I’m Frank Boreman, your father’s physician. You must be Noel Haleby.”

  “That’s right,” Noel replied. “These are my brothers, Marcus and Thaddeus, and my sisters, Madelyn and Priscilla. We would like to see our father. How is he?”

  “Not very well, I’m afraid,” Dr. Boreman said. “I understand some of you are physicians yourselves, so you know how unpredictable injuries in the elderly can be. Cassius seemed to be rallying after his hip surgery, but this morning he has been drifting in and out of consciousness.”

  “May we see him?” Madelyn asked.

  “I’m not sure he will be aware of your presence, but you may look in for just a moment, as long as he does not become agitated.”

  “Thank you, we won’t stay long,” Noel said. “If you don’t mind showing us the way?”

  The group followed Dr. Boreman down the hallway. At the sound of hurried footsteps, they turned to see Detective Ransom and Sergeant Forester approaching.

  “We’re here to see Dr. Haleby,” Ransom told Boreman. “You can’t stall us, any longer.”

  “What’s this about?” Noel asked.

  “Who are you?” Ransom asked. “You don’t want to interfere. This is a homicide investigation and I’m tired of getting the run-around.”

  “Sorry, Officer. The doctor here is just taking us to visit our seriously ill father, so if som
eone will direct us to the correct room, we will be happy to get out of your way,” Noel said.

  Dr. Boreman told them the room number, gesturing toward it, and the siblings proceeded to their father’s bedside.

  Boreman turned to Ransom, saying, “Cassius Haleby is in no shape to answer your questions, yet, Detective. He took a turn for the worse last night. Just now, I was escorting his children to what may well be their last visit with their father.”

  “Those are Haleby’s kids, huh? Well, we will let them have some time with him, but then we’d like a word with each of them,” Ransom said. “After that, we are going to see Haleby’s condition for ourselves, Doctor.”

  Ransom and Forester took seats in the lobby to await an opportunity to speak with all the Haleby family. They sat quietly going over their notes and preparing questions for the children.

  The Haleby siblings gathered around their father’s bed looking at the once intimidating man and sharing shocked glances with one another.

  “He really might be dying, huh?” Thad blurted.

  “What did you expect? His doctor said he was in rough shape,” Priscilla chided, looking as astonished as her younger brother at their father’s diminished presence.

  “Could a fall off the porch have done this?” Marcus asked. “I thought he just broke his hip and bumped his head.”

  Madelyn started to speak, choked and cleared her throat before beginning again, “It happens like this, sometimes, when the elderly break a femur. It’s the largest bone in the body, and it is often that bone that breaks, right up next to the hip joint, not the hip itself and it is a massive trauma to the body. Some patients never fully recover.”

  They shifted uncomfortably, trying not to look at the man in the bed, until Noel broke the silence.

  “Well, we obviously don’t need to make any plans regarding Power of Attorney, at this juncture. If he improves or recovers, we can discuss it then.”

  “Do we know if Father has a will?” Thaddeus asked.

  “I drew one up for him right after I passed the bar,” Marcus replied. “He wouldn’t have made any changes without consulting me. Father never paid for anything he could get for free, after all.”