“No, problem. I'm just leaving.” Hawkman nodded at the man and woman as he picked up his valise and left.
Perry Foster's door stood open and Hawkman tapped on the door jamb. Foster glanced up and waved for him to enter.
“Man, what a day.”
“I can imagine. I need a favor and hope it won't be too much out of your way. I'd like you to point out two of your residents.”
Perry rose from his chair and stretched. “Sure, it will be a welcomed break. I need to get up and move around. Who are the people you'd like to meet.”
“Ms. Rose Fletcher and Ms. Patti Cline.”
“Any special reason why you've picked those two?”
“I'd rather not say.”
“They're a couple of our original residents and are usually at the events early. They like to mingle and socialize.” Perry slipped on his suit jacket, which he'd thrown across the back of the chair, then ran his hands over his hair as he came from around the desk.
“I appreciate it,” Hawkman said.
The two men walked into the recreation area. Foster shook hands with several of the men and greeted many of the women. He then turned and took Hawkman by the arm. “Mr. Casey, I'd like you to meet one of our charter residents. This is Ms. Patti Cline.”
Hawkman touched his hat. “My pleasure.”
She put out a frail, small hand. A big smile lit up her face. “Oh, my, you're the private investigator I've heard so much about. Aren't you one handsome, sexy brute.”
Hawkman felt the heat in his cheeks. “Thank you. I'm lost for words.”
“No need to talk; I'll just stare at you.”
Perry called out and waved. “Rose, come here. I want you to meet someone.”
A woman very different from Ms. Cline waddled over, pushing a walker. She had several chins, but twinkling blue eyes. Perry made the introduction and Rose elbowed Patti. “Is he not the best-looking guy we've seen around here?”
“I already told him; now you're embarrassing him more.”
“You ladies are more than kind. I hope you enjoy the show tonight.”
“Are you hanging around?”
“It's possible, but you won't know me, because I'll be undercover.”
The two women erupted in peals of laughter.
“He has a sense of humor too,” Patti said.
Hawkman observed both women held beverages. He glanced up at the bar in the entry alcove where two men were mixing drinks. Glancing around the room, he noted almost everyone had a glass. No wonder they were here early.
He strolled back toward the office with Foster. “Is your bar open every evening?”
“No, usually just Fridays, and occasionally on special nights like this one. I figured with all the stuff going on, the residents needed a little pick-me-up.
They stopped at the door of the office.
“Thanks for your time. I won't bother you any longer. Those were two delightful women.”
Perry grinned. “They'd like for you to come back and chat with them. I could see it in their eyes.”
Hawkman rubbed his sideburn. “Uh, I think I'll keep my distance.”
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* * *
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
* * * *
Hawkman stood back in a shadowed corner as he watched the residents take their seats for the show. The Hamptons had arrived earlier and took occupancy in the second row. Maggie glistened in her turquoise sequined pant suit and freshly done hairdo. Carmen Sanders made her way into the crowd, and a few of the women waved their hands, motioning for her to come where they'd saved a chair. She looked radiant as she made her way to the vacant seat between Ms. Cline and Ms. Fletcher.
Lisa Montgomery came out of her office and strolled to the back of the room where she scooted a couple of last row chairs further back. She sat down on one, then placed her handbag on the other. Hawkman expected to see May come in the front door any moment, but to his surprise, Don Jackson took the seat, and placed an arm around the back of Lisa's chair. Hawkman thought this to be a very interesting discovery.
The lights dimmed and the small spotlight from the ceiling came on bright as Perry Foster stepped up to the microphone. He thanked the people for attending, then introduced the entertainer. When the comedian took the stage, a clap of thunder shook the walls and the spotlight flickered. The wind driven rain rattled against the glass panes in a torrential downpour.
“Wow, what a welcome,” the comedian said. The crowd broke out in peals of laughter.
He kept the audience in a humorous uproar for an hour and a half. Even Hawkman found himself chuckling several times. The guy is good, he thought.
Keeping an eye on the staff, he noticed Jackson had removed his arm from around Lisa, and placed a hand on her thigh. She didn't bother to move it. When the entertainer told his last joke, the lights came back up, and the crowd hailed the entertainer with a standing ovation. Don stood and clapped.
Hawkman noticed Jackson immediately went to the bar, then with a drink in hand mingled with the crowd while Lisa headed back to her office. Perry stopped her midway and they conversed for a few minutes; then she went into her cubicle. Hawkman leaned against the wall, as Perry came down the hallway.
“Hi, Mr. Casey. I'm going to let my employees go home. Mr. Mackle called and he'll be here tomorrow morning. He's flying in tonight.”
“Good move on his part.” Hawkman pointed toward the stage. “I thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment. The comedian did an excellent job of relaxing the residents. He kept them in a good mood.”
“Yes, he's very talented.” Perry cocked his head and looked at Hawkman. “What are your plans?”
“I'm going to stand guard during the night, but I'd like the freedom of moving in and out of the building. Is there a possibility I could get one of those cards so I could get in without having to disturb anyone?”
“Sure.” He reached in his pocket, and handed one to Hawkman. “Take mine. I'll make another when I get back to the office. Right now, I want to touch base with Carmen and Don.”
“Thanks, I'll return it when I'm through.”
Perry nodded and took off, looking for his two employees. He caught Jackson with Ms. Cline and Ms. Fletcher at the end of the hall.
Hawkman tucked the card in his back jeans pocket and meandered into the recreation room where the workers were dismantling the small stage and putting everything back in order. The wind howled through the trees outside and an occasional lightning bolt lit up the interior. He crossed over to the far end of the recreation room and checked his lunch and briefcase. The items were all accounted for in the corner where he'd placed them. Plopping down on the overstuffed chair, he unscrewed the thermos and poured himself a half cup of coffee. The liquid, still hot enough to burn his tongue, tasted good.
It didn't take long before the room appeared as before. You'd never have guessed it had resembled an auditorium half an hour ago. Perry and Jackson came down the corridor, while Carmen trailed behind. Hawkman noticed Jackson was empty handed, and he wondered where the drink went.
They all looked tired from the long day, and didn't even glance his way as they trudged down the hallway toward their offices. Lisa Montgomery hadn't left yet, unless she went out some back door Hawkman didn't know existed.
When the corridor lights dimmed, he heard the click of the automatic door locks. The overhead fluorescents went off, casting him into almost total darkness, except for the occasional lightning flash and dimmed hallway. He glanced toward the elevator when he heard it open. George stepped out and limped toward the front. Hawkman didn't say anything, as the man looked exhausted. He watched him open the door, then suddenly close it. George stepped back, buttoned up his sweater, removed a soft hat from the pocket and shoved it on his head, then ventured out into the weather. It baffled Hawkman why the old fellow didn't move in with his wife. This coming and going must get awfully tedious.
Shortly, Carmen came through the room, a huge purs
e slung over her shoulder, her lips drawn tight across her teeth as if she had something heavy on her mind. She opened an umbrella, and hurried out the door, letting it slam hard, as she disappeared into the darkness. Several of the kitchen and cleaning staff meandered into the recreation room. Some wore rain slickers while others had confiscated plastic bags they tied around their heads or put across their shoulders. They chatted and laughed with one another as they exited.
Soon, Perry Foster made his way through the dimness. His shoulders slumped, and his clothes looked more rumpled than earlier. He trudged along as if he had a hard time putting one foot in front of the other. It had been a rough day for him, carrying the burden of today's events alone.
Hawkman glanced toward the corridor. “Where the hell are Jackson and Montgomery?” he mumbled.
Several minutes passed before he heard a door open and shut; then a soft knock resounded.
“Are you ready?” he heard Lisa say.
“Be right there,” said the unmistakable voice of Don Jackson.
Crunching down in the chair, Hawkman tried to make himself invisible. To his surprise, when the two emerged from the dimmed hallway, they headed toward the door leading into the garden. He waited until they'd stepped outside before he left his secluded corner. High-tailing it toward the entry, he made it just in time to see Lisa lower the umbrella as they entered the other building.
Grabbing his lunch, thermos and briefcase, he hurried out the recreation entry and jogged to his vehicle. The rain had slowed down and he threw the items on the passenger seat, inserted the key, and drove slowly around to the assisted living front. He made it just in time to see Don Jackson's car pull out of the lot. The silhouettes of two people in the front seat stood out as they passed under the glow of the street light.
Hawkman followed at a distance and parked at the curb when the car pulled into the apartment complex where Jackson lived. When the two climbed out of the vehicle, the rain started coming down in sheets. Lisa quickly raised the umbrella and they dashed toward the door. As they entered the building, Don gave her a pat on the butt.
“Man, I didn't expect this,” Hawkman said aloud. “No sense in hanging around here while they have their rendezvous.” He started the 4X4 and drove back to Morning Glory Haven. Driving through the employees’ lot, he spotted Lisa's car, and figured Jackson would bring her back, or she'd spend the night with him. It dawned on Hawkman, she may not have to come in, since it would be Sunday, but he knew Don had the duty. However, Perry might want them all present when Mackle arrived. He chuckled at the vision of May's reaction if he approached her about her high society daughter spending the night with a man.
He pulled into Hampton's empty parking slot near the door. Leaving his briefcase in the vehicle, he grabbed his sandwich and thermos with one hand, held his hat with the other, then ran for the door through the pouring rain. Using the card Perry had given him, he entered the building. He removed his coat and hung it on the tree horn near the door, then went to the seat in the corner where he'd been earlier. His view covered the entries, elevator and corridor which would serve his purpose. Holding his wristwatch up so it would catch the light, he noted it was midnight. There were long hours ahead, and he wasn't sure anything would occur. However, his gut told him not to drop off to sleep. These murders had been happening closer and closer together.
After finishing his sandwich and drinking half the coffee, he decided to walk around, as a full tummy would probably make him drowsy. His sight had grown accustomed to the darkness, so he found it easy to maneuver in the surroundings without bumping into tables. He moved down the hallway trying the office doors, and found them locked, which didn't surprise him. Then he traveled the opposite direction, and looked in the exercise room full of very expensive machines, which didn't cease to amaze him. The first floor corridor appeared quiet, so he rode the elevator to the second. When he passed some of the doors, the sounds of sleep made its way through the panels. He smiled as he listened, and figured in twenty years he'd probably make enough noise to run Jennifer out of bed.
Maggie's apartment appeared quiet. More than likely, George's snoring might have been one of the reasons she liked it here so well. He checked the computer room, the pool table area, and the large movie alcove with a big screen, then stopped to examine a half done jigsaw puzzle in one of the leisure niches.
All seemed serene as he headed back to the elevator. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks as he heard the hum of the pulleys. He quickly ducked behind the wall of the game center, reached inside his shirt, and loosened the Velcro flap on the shoulder holster that protected his gun.
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* * *
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Hawkman heard the clank of walker wheels hit the bump leading out of the elevator. He stole a peek around the door jamb and couldn't believe his sight. What the hell was Maggie doing up at this hour? When he stepped out of the shadows, she jumped and almost dropped the item she held in her hand.
“Mr. Casey, you scared the living daylights out of me. Why are you hiding in there?”
“Watching to see who came out of the elevator. I sure didn't expect you. What are you doing roaming around at this hour?”
“I couldn't sleep. Guess I've had too much excitement. Decided to go down to the kitchen and see if there were any goodies left.” She held up a small plastic bag half full of cookies. “I lucked out. There were a few left on a platter. Would you like to come to my place and share them with me?”
“No, thanks, but I'll accompany you.”
When they reached her apartment, she turned the handle, and pushed open the door. Hawkman immediately moved in front of her.
“Hold on. Why didn't you lock up while you went downstairs rummaging for treats?”
She glanced up at him with wide eyes. “I didn't think it necessary since I'd only be gone a few minutes.”
“You wait here, and I'll check inside before you enter.”
He stepped over the threshold, pulled his gun, and walked through each room. After examining the closets, and under the bed, he holstered his weapon, and called for her to come on in. He pointed a finger. “Don't leave again without locking your door.”
She stared at him with concern. “You're frightening me. I probably won't go to sleep at all now.”
“Sorry, but right now I want you to be very alert.” He reached for the door knob. “I need to leave so I can patrol the halls. Will you be all right?”
Maggie waved him out. “I'll be fine. Get out there so you can protect us.”
Hawkman left a very nervous woman, and heard the lock click as he walked down the corridor. He hoped he hadn't missed anything while taking the few minutes with her. Hurrying down the hallway, he checked the man's apartments, then headed downstairs by way of the stairwell. This would bring him right in front of the two women's quarters.
The floor appeared quiet. He went back to the recreation room and his stake out chair. He rubbed his chin trying to analyze how he'd not seen Maggie going down to the dining room, and figured he must have missed her when he was examining the extra rooms. Since her apartment wasn't far from the elevator, it would've been easy not to see or hear her with the carpeted hallway. Not wanting it to happen again, he decided his best bet was to remain in one spot where he could see the comings and goings from all directions.
The minutes seemed to drag as the night grew longer. Hawkman rubbed his face several times and wiggled in the chair trying to find a position where he wouldn't get too comfortable. He didn't dare get up and move around, afraid he'd give himself away to anyone coming into the building. The room had taken on a chill and he noticed the shadows of the plants in the garden area whipping back and forth in the wind. The storm he'd heard about on the weather forecast had hit. His tall body ached in the soft chair and he had to stand up. Checking for the darkest area, he moved toward the corner and leaned against the wall, where he could still see the entries.
He figure
d it must be close to three in the morning, and angled his watch so it caught the reflection of the dimmed hallway lights. It surprised him to see it was only a little before two. His intuition had made him stay here tonight and it seldom proved wrong.
The deaths were happening closer together. However, there was always the possibility nothing would occur, and he'd have to stay another twenty-four hours. He'd need some shuteye sometime or he'd not last through another long night.
Suddenly, a noise at the front door caught his attention. He quickly dropped behind the couch and peeked around the edge as he watched the door slowly open. May Montgomery stepped inside, closed her umbrella, and stood it beside the jamb. She cautiously crossed the room, then turned down the corridor toward Lisa's office. He could no longer see her, but heard her try the door, then knock softly.
“Lisa, are you there?”
He stayed behind the couch not wanting to spoil his cover. He doubted May was the murderer, but what she was doing here at this early hour and why is she knocking at her daughter's office? Surely she knows she's not there. Then he remembered Lisa's car parked in the lot. He wondered how May got the card to get in the building?
About that time, he heard the door leading to the garden area open. Lisa Montgomery stepped inside, closed her umbrella, and stomped down the hallway.
“Mother, what the hell are you doing?”
“Looking for you.”
“I told you I'd be working late.”
“How come your office is locked?”
“Because I'm in the other building helping out a new girl. When I went to my car, I saw yours parked next to mine. Now let's get home. I've got to be back here in the morning.”
Hawkman hunkered down behind the couch and remained motionless as he watched Lisa lead her mother by the arm. May picked up her umbrella, as Lisa opened hers outside the door, then the two walked out into the rain. Once the door clicked shut, Hawkman waited a few seconds before he stood and went back to the dark corner.
Shadows in the Night [Hawkman--Book 12] Page 22