Polly Dent Loses Grip (A LaTisha Barnhart Mystery)

by S. Dionne Moore

  Speaking of feeling loved. . . “I met a young man today. Darren’s his name. Seems mighty lonely to me. Told him to meet us downstairs for some cards this evening. I’ll introduce you.”

  Matilda pinned me with her eyes. “I’d love to meet the boy.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Matilda and me sat in companionable silence for a long time. She seemed far away and I didn’t want to disturb her none, so I glued my eyes to the paper of Mitzi’s poems. Shadows, hands, snow. . .it all whirled in my head something powerful. I heaved a sigh and decided I needed some noise. How I ached to cook, but talk would have to fill the spot since I was a long way from my kitchen.

  “I met another one of your neighbors today, Momma.”

  Matilda tipped her head at me. “You mean that fine-looking fellow. Thomas something-or-other?”

  “You met him?”

  “He and that Gertrude woman introduced themselves at lunchtime. She said she’d tried the day before but I was having my sugar problem and probably didn’t remember her. I can tell you I recognized his smell though.”

  I wondered if I’d heard right and even stuck my finger in my ear and gave it a good wringing. “You recognized how he smelled?”

  “Sure. It was strong. That’s how I knew he was my neighbor before he ever said who he was. I was standing in front of his apartment the other day, remember? Saw that Polly woman making a mess inside. She hit the road when she saw me, but what I remembered most was the whole apartment smelled wrong. That’s how I knew I wasn’t in the right place, then Hardy came along and got me all straightened out.”

  “You trippin’.” Stunned was an understatement. “You mean to tell me you saw Polly in Thomas’s apartment the other day?” It would have been before Polly’d gone down to the exercise room.

  “Well, I got in.” She massaged her forehead as if doing so might help her recall specifics. “I think the door was unlocked. I’m a little foggy about all of it, but I remember that smell and seeing her.”

  Foggy I could understand, what with her sugar probably on the rise at that point. “Did she say anything to you? Explain herself?”

  “She was pulling something out of a drawer. When she saw me standing there, she shoved right past me.”

  I leaned back in my chair and let it all sink in. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  “With the move and everything, I really hadn’t given it much thought. But if someone did Polly in, you might look into Thomas. I don’t expect he was happy with her poking around his room.”

  So Thomas had seen Polly poking around in his apartment. It was a real good time to invite Thomas to sit with us during dinner so we could have us a little chat. Gertrude hadn’t managed to make it down to the cafeteria in time to put her hooks in him, and I wanted the opportunity to smell him out for myself. Pun intended. Funny thing, I didn’t smell much.

  He greeted Momma with a shallow bow, giving me the same and extending his hand to Hardy as if eating at Bridgeton required fine manners. He even stood until Momma and I were seated. Hardy, on the other hand, planted his rump first thing.

  I cleared my throat.

  He lifted his head and hiked an eyebrow.

  “Mr. Philcher has such fine manners,” I dripped.

  He wagged his bottom against the chair and grinned that insufferable grin of his. “I wanted to make sure the chairs were comfortable for you ladies before you sat down.”

  I frosted him with a look and lowered myself into the nicely cushioned, dark blue upholstered seat.

  “So, Mr. Philcher,” I began the conversation. I flicked open my napkin and spread it on my lap. Hardy flicked his open and tucked it into his shirt. I knew he was doing it to agitate me and chose to ignore his antics. “What can you tell us about this fine establishment?”

  Matilda reached over and yanked out Hardy’s paper ascot. Go, Momma!

  Thomas smothered a grin and toyed with his water glass. “I find that Bridgeton Towers meets my needs, Mrs. Barnhart. I needed somewhere to go and this was as good a place as any.”

  For a minute there I thought he wasn’t going to give me a straight answer. Come to think of it, maybe I didn’t get one. “What did you do before coming here?”

  Thomas sipped his water. “I worked as a waiter in a fine restaurant.”

  Could have fooled me. I expected him to say he’d been a butler, or a tycoon in some big business.

  “When the restaurant changed management after twenty years, I decided it was time to ease out. Keeping up with the small lawn and such didn’t interest me anymore either, so I moved in here.”

  “Never married?” Hardy asked.

  “I never felt inclined to commit myself. I was on the move quite a bit in my youth.” He sipped at his water and dabbed his mouth with the napkin. “I’m quite certain a woman would have tired of it quickly.”

  “Mrs. Hermann seems to enjoy your company,” Momma offered.

  “Gertrude compliments my quiet nature.”

  This man’s tongue practically dripped oil. “What do you think about Polly’s accident?” I decided to crank the conversation into high gear when I glimpsed Gertrude entering the cafeteria. She was looking over the crowd, too, which meant it would only be a matter of time before . . .

  “I’ll miss Mrs. Dent. She was an interesting and dear companion,” Thomas said.

  “She was sure set on having Momma’s room. Why you think she’d be so set on it?”

  For the first time, I detected discomfort in his demeanor.

  Gertrude was fast approaching.

  The server arrived with Momma’s plate, as well as Mr. Philcher’s. I frowned down at the runny-looking mashed potatoes and hamburger patty. “What’s this?”

  “Salisbury steak.” Thomas smiled. “Not quite the caliber of meal I’m used to, but tasty nonetheless.”

  Gertrude was bearing down fast. Twenty feet . . .

  I wiped my mouth as my stomach roiled in disgust. “I’m guessing Polly wanted the room to be close to yours.”

  Fifteen feet.

  “We were quite good friends.” Thomas nodded.

  Ten.

  I leaned in close. “You two visit often?”

  He frowned at me, and I knew I’d better back off. My questions were raising his hackles.

  Five.

  Oh well. I didn’t have any more time to pursue the subject anyhow.

  “Hello, Thomas. I was hoping you’d wait for me. Our big event is coming up tomorrow night.” Gertie did a little jiggle—think Jello. I almost groaned out loud. This gal’s maturity level seemed to regress each time I saw her. Must have been Thomas’s presence.

  Thomas shuffled to his feet. “Gertie. Join us. I’m sure your addition to the conversation would be most welcome.”

  He pulled over a chair from the next table and held it as she took her seat. Gertie tittered her thank you.

  “We were talking about Polly.” I directed this at Gertrude. “Were the two of you close?”

  “No. I wouldn’t say that. I think Polly-girl didn’t like it that Thomas and I were such good friends.”

  Thomas didn’t confirm or deny. His placid expression gave nothing away.

  Gertrude leaned forward, eyes lighting up. “I do have an exciting piece of news though.”

  If she was waiting for me to pounce and beg for her to tell, she would be waiting an awfully long time.

  Gertrude hunkered down, craning her neck and making her eyes all wide and dramatic. “I found out that Sue Mie really made a mess the other night. She apparently got the snacks mixed up and doled out the diabetic snacks to residents with no dietary restrictions, and sugary snacks to those who did. That’s why your momma had such a reaction.”

  I bit back the question on the tip of my tongue. Hardy asked it for me.

  “How’d you find that out?”

  “Heard her talking about it with her RN. She didn’t say that’s what had happened, but I heard the RN telling her to make sure she marked t
he snacks so that such a mistake didn’t happen again.”

  “Couldn’t she lose her job?” Hardy asked.

  Gertrude accepted the plate set in front of her by the server. “Oh, she’s got her own agenda. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to off one of us just to put Bridgeton Towers, especially Mr. Payne, in a bad light before the open house Thursday evening.” She picked up her fork, eyes twinkling. “Mr. Payne doesn’t know who called the police the other evening. I bet it was Sue.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  With conversations buzzing in my brain, Hardy and I made our way to the cafeteria exit. I about made it to the doors when a lone figure in the corner made me do a U-ie. Darren sat by himself. None of that on my watch, so I made sure Hardy was following me and introduced the two men. Darren shed a shy smile for Hardy, who picked up real quick on the situation and cocked himself in preparation to sit. I stopped him mid-squat.

  “Darren, why don’t you bring your tray—” I swooped down and lifted it before he could protest— “and I’ll introduce you to my momma-in-law.”

  Darren’s eyes darted away from mine. “Might as well, being as we’ll be playing games together later.”

  Hardy patted the boy on the shoulder and kind of pulled him along. “No sense in eating alone. Momma loves people and she’ll sure love you.”

  Matilda didn’t miss much, and as Hardy and I returned along the route we’d just walked, Matilda stopped her conversation with Gertrude and bestowed a wonderful smile on Darren.

  “Come right on over here.” She patted the seat next to her.

  “Momma, this here is Darren.”

  Gertrude remained sullen, as if angered I’d dare interrupt her conversation. Thomas nodded his head in Darren’s direction and followed that up with a warm smile.

  Hardy slid a chair out as if to sit. Halfway to the seat I yanked up on his britches. “Don’t cock your hind end into that chair, you’re coming with me.”

  “You worse than my momma.”

  I lasered that boy with my eyes. “I take that as a compliment.” I turned to the others and saw that Matilda was going to make Darren feel welcome. “If you will excuse us, we’ve got to scoot.”

  Hardy shuffled his feet like a petulant three-year-old all the way to the doors. I had flashes of myself with a big old cattle prod zapping his hind end a good one. Maybe I could find one on E-bay.

  Outside the cafeteria Hardy turned to me. “Can’t a man have a chance to sit and rest his weary bones?”

  “As soon as you do me a favor.”

  “What you needin’ this time?” He flashed his tooth and preened. “You calling upon my charms to woo secrets out of the ladies?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Um-hm. That’s it. I need to know when Sue Mie is on duty tomorrow and I figure one of these here residents is going to know the answer to that question.”

  Hardy froze. “You mean you really do want me to use my charms on the women?”

  “Honey, the only charms you know is a lollipop brand. Let’s keep it that way?”

  Hardy spread his arms wide and hugged me tight. “Who else would put up with this ornery critter?”

  “Someone had to marry you.”

  He yanked away from me. “I wasn’t talking about me!”

  I went for him, but he ducked, laughing like a drunk man as he skittered off down the hall. It wasn’t too long before I heard the cranky piano in the common area sputtering a tune. He probably guessed piano music would attract a crowd, then he could finagle a conversation or two to get his answer.

  As for me, I headed to that second floor storage room. After hours meant cleaning time for the cleaning crew. If that storage room was going to be open or unlocked, I figured I might find it that way right about now. Maybe I’d keep up a slow stroll along the hallway for a while to see who came and went from that room.

  For thirty-five minutes I hauled myself back and forth, putting my share of wear on that carpet. When a short man with long hair pulled back in a ponytail appeared with a thick ring of keys, and pushing one of those plastic trash carts down the hall, I kept moving, one foot in front of the other, biding my time as he drew closer. Sure enough, he stopped in front of the storage room doors and picked through his collection of keys. He popped the doors open, then went back to push his cart through, leaving both doors wide open. I crossed the hall lickety-quick and took a gander inside.

  The room held extra beds, headboards and footboards, lamps, chairs, trashcans, walkers, wheelchairs, a couple of vacuum cleaners. In the far right corner I spied the elevator, gym equipment. Vacuum cleaners and some mattresses cluttered the path to the elevator. Typical of people. No one wanted to push heavy things any farther than they had to, so they pushed it off the elevator and let it sit for someone else to reposition.

  All this registered in my mind in the seconds it took for the bearded man to turn and notice me. I checked out the name stitched on the front of his work blues. Chester. “Yeah?”

  “You think I could use one of them vacuums? My mother-in-law moved in yesterday and her apartment could use a good going over.”

  He hesitated, his eyes going over me real slow-like. Made my skin wrinkle up in distaste. His mouth moved like he worked a plug of tobacco, but he didn’t spit. Good thing, too, or I might have hurled right there on his feet. Never took with men who chawed the stuff. My Caleb went through a stage where he thought it was cool. ‘Til instead of spitting he swallowed. Ha!

  I finally received a reluctant nod from the man.

  I cocked my hip and plugged my hand down on it. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes, ma’am’.”

  His lips compressed and his eyes seemed to darken. I’m guessing he wasn’t too humored by me. Or maybe his hostility had more to do with an ages old struggle that I had no tolerance for.

  “I don’t even call my momma, ma’am. Never will either. Take a vacuum but have it back here in thirty minutes.”

  “Right nice of you.”

  His eyes stabbed at me. I’d had enough. “You got a problem? Because if you do, I need to know about it. No reason why you can’t be civil.”

  Chester’s severe expression lessened a degree. He averted his face. “Thirty minutes.”

  I made my way through the maze of equipment and snagged a vacuum cleaner, upright, feeling the burn of Chester’s eyes on me. I ignored him, but his attitude sure left me smokin’. By the time I made it back to Momma’s room, I felt drained, as if the day had included a marathon and two workout sessions.

  I sank into the recliner and put my feet up, sure that a nap would solve my problems. I had to stay awake to deal with Darren and our promised game playing session. I imagined that Momma Matilda had brought Thomas and Gertrude on board by this time. Being alert to possible clues would be imperative. Thomas especially interested me because he seemed like such a nice guy. Too nice a guy, if you get my meaning.

  Things weren’t going forward in this investigation. Maybe I was reaching too far. Hardy was right; one successful murder investigation didn’t mean I should assume people had some kind of vendetta against Polly Dent. She wasn’t a very likeable person by first appearances, but everyone has redeeming qualities.

  All that hall walking built up a powerful thirst in me. I rolled to my feet to fetch a tall glass of water, never so grateful for its liquid coolness. When I dropped into the recliner again, I closed my eyes and drifted away.

  Hardy shook me awake what seemed like seconds later. I glared up at him. “What you think you’re doing? Do I have to post a Do Not Disturb sign?”

  Instead of responding, he plastered his hand to my forehead. “You sick or something? Two naps in two days. This isn’t like you, LaTisha.”

  “I’m tired, that’s all. You all waiting on me to start the games with Darren?”

  “Sure we are. You up to it?”

  “Of course I am. What do I look like, an invalid?” My brain felt a little fuzzy though, my mouth cottony. The last thing I felt like doing was hauling myself up f
rom the recliner. I sucked in a breath and did a mighty heave. Hardy’s hands were there guiding me up, but when he didn’t let go, leading me toward the bedroom, I didn’t resist.

  He pushed me down onto the bed. “I want you to lay down and take it easy.” His cocoa brown eyes, flecked with gold, stared hard into mine. “I’m setting up an appointment for you. You’re not acting right.”

  Tears formed in my eyes. “You get me a drink before I run salt all over this floor.”

  He patted my shoulder and sat down beside me on the bed. “What’s wrong, LaTisha?”

  “Nothin’.”

  “None of that. You used to come down hard on our girls for telling you nothing when there was somethin’.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to line up my thoughts. Why did my brain feel like Old Lou misfiring on a cold day? Old Lou’s what we call our decades old car that still gets us back and forth where we need to go. Neither of us wanted to put Old Lou to rest, but with her motor sounding like the hacking of someone with bronchitis, her days were numbered.

  “Missing the babies?”

  I shook my head and buried my face. “Can’t think right. Things keep spinnin’ around in my brain. I’m tired, too. Down to the bone exhausted. Didn’t sleep well last night, you know.”

  “You lay down then. Darren and Momma are waiting on me to get back. I’ll tell them you’re not feeling well.”

  Hardy moved to stand, and I grasped his hand firm in mine. Fear gnawed at the fringes of my gut. Fear of what, I wasn’t sure. Hardy stroked my cheek, his gaze melting over me, letting me know I wasn’t alone.

  He flashed his gold covered front tooth at me. “Want me to stay and tuck you in?”

  I laughed at that, swatting him away. I kicked off my shoes and stretched out on the bed as Hardy pulled the covers back. He pulled them up to my chin and kissed my cheek, making me feel every bit the love and security I needed most to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep. “Keep your ears open for things about Polly,” were my last words before I fell asleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Weak morning light spread its fingers over Hardy and me. My eyes popped open taking in Hardy’s skinny self and the thin white blanket cocooning his body. I blew in his ear. He didn’t move. Probably all those ear hairs blocking the breeze. I blew again anyway and kissed his cheek. His lips poofed out on an exhale. This man slept like a mummy, looked like one too.