Angel of Death

by Kimberley O'Malley

  “I can’t imagine he did. Let me give Detective Wolfe a call.”

  “I hope you don’t call him that in the sack,” the old lady said, with a cackle. “On the other hand, he does have handcuffs.” She broke off in a fit of laughter.

  Addie excused herself to her office to make the call, and tried without success to erase from her mind the thought of Mrs. Henry knowing about handcuffs. She sat at her desk and called Jonah’s cell number.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” he said, answering on the second ring. “Miss me already?”

  “No… well, yes, of course, but I’m calling on official business. Maybe.” She sighed, wondering what he’d make of Mrs. Henry’s suspicions. She relayed the story her elderly customer had told her, and waited for his laugh. Or dismissal.

  “You never told me about your dream this morning.”

  Addie sucked in a sharp breath. That was the last thing she expected to hear. “Uh, no, I didn’t. Why is it important?”

  “What usually happens after you have one of those dreams?”

  “What?” Then her stomach dropped a few feet. “Oh. Someone dies.”

  “Exactly. I’m not saying these two things are related. I’m not saying they’re not either.”

  She chewed her bottom lip, thinking about the ramifications of what he’d just said. She described what she could remember of the nightmare.

  “I’ll be there in five,” Jonah murmured before ending the call.

  Addie blew out her pent-up breath. She was all for being an independent woman. But she also liked the fact that Jonah got her, and knew when she needed him. She brewed a quick cup of tea and went back into the store.

  “Here you go, Mrs. Henry,” Addie murmured, handing her the mug of tea. “I thought some seasonal tea might help. Detective Wolfe is on his way. He’s very interested in hearing your story.” She left out the part about his being interested after hearing about her dream. No need to go there.

  “Thank you, dear. Sometimes, just having a nice, warm mug in your hands helps.”

  Less than five minutes later, Jonah arrived. His partner, Dan, was nowhere in sight. Thankfully. She wasn’t a fan. Addie motioned to the sitting area of the store, where Mrs. Henry sat ensconced with her tea.

  He sat on an armchair opposite her and took out a small notebook. “Mrs. Henry, Addie tells me you have some concerns about your, uh, friend’s death. Why don’t you tell me?”

  Mrs. Henry pursed her brightly painted lips before placing her mug on the coffee table. “Only if you’re going to treat me with respect, young man.”

  Jonah had a couple of years on Addie’s own thirty-four, so the notion almost made her laugh. She cleared her throat instead. “I’m sure Detective Wolfe is more than willing to hear you out.” She looked at Jonah. “Aren’t you?”

  He never took his eyes off the older woman. “Yes, ma’am, I am.”

  Mrs. henry stared at him for a moment, as if trying to decide whether or not to trust him. She then started talking, all of the details she’d told Addie coming out in a rush. When she finished, she reached for her tea again with a less than steady hand.

  Jonah sat back. “Did Mr. Hamilton have any enemies, ma’am?”

  “Bill was eighty-eight years old, Detective. Who would want to kill an old man?”

  “Did he have any family?”

  “No. Bill’s wife, Mary, died years ago. They never had any children. He never mentioned any family to me.”

  “I see. Did he have any arguments or issues with any of the other residents at the home?”

  “Magnolia Haven is an assisted living facility. There’s a nursing wing as well, of course, for the old folks.”

  Jonah covered his laugh with a cough. “Yes, of course. Did any of the other residents have an issue with him?”

  “Do I look like a gossip to you?” She fixed him with a look.

  Addie jumped in. “I’m sure that’s not what Detective Wolfe meant. It’s just that you are very sharp, and I’m sure you know everything that goes on at Magnolia Haven.”

  Mrs. Henry sat a little straighter. “Well, I can tell you Bill had an ongoing issue with George Baker. I can’t imagine George killed him, though.”

  “Can you tell me about this issue?” asked Jonah.

  Mrs. Henry’s cheeks took on a pinkish cast. “Oh, well, if you must know, both men pursued me.”

  Jonah looked down at his notebook, seemed focused on it. Addie caught the subtle quivering at the corners of his mouth. “Thank you, Mrs. Henry, for speaking with me. I’ll follow up with the facility director.”

  “Very well then, Detective. Thank you for your time. And you’ll keep me in the loop?”

  “As much as I can, ma’am.”

  Addie walked the elderly woman out, waiting until she drove off in her car. Then she lost it completely and laughed until tears rolled down her face.

  Jonah looked up as she reentered the store. “So, it seems there may have been a love triangle at Magnolia Haven,” he suggested.

  “Stop,” Addie pleaded. She wrapped both arms around her ribs, trying to drag in air. Finally able to breathe, she turned to Jonah. “Do you think there’s any truth to her concern?”

  “No, not really. But a few phone calls can’t hurt. Besides, it’s my first day back, and they’re trying to take it easy on me. I’m bored already.” He closed the gap between them, taking Addie in his arms. “And if there’s the slightest chance this is related to your dream, I’m all over it.” He kissed the top of her head and left. But not before petting each of the girls.

  “And that is one good man, ladies. Mommy will be holding on to him.”

  “Talking to yourself again? Didn’t I warn you about that?” joked Grey as he entered the store.

  She stuck out her tongue at her friend by way of response.

  “Very mature. I saw Jonah on his way out. Miss you already, did he?” He picked up her drink and took a sip. “Pumpkin spice, my favorite. Yummy!”

  “Hey, get your own,” she protested without much heat. She and Grey had become friends longer ago than either cared to admit. They’d been through everything together, especially these past few months since strange, prophetic dreams and a rash of murders had turned her life upside down.

  “Jonah was here in official capacity, I’m afraid,” she said then filled him in on Mrs. Henry’s concerns.

  “What aren’t you telling me?” He stared at her for a moment. The smile dropped from his face. “You’ve had another dream.”

  “I noticed that wasn’t a question.”

  “Nice try. When were you going to tell me?”

  The hurt in his voice stabbed her heart. “This morning, I swear. It just happened right before I awoke.” She told him about it, tired already of telling the tale.

  “I’ve never been to Magnolia Haven. Do you think the inside looks like the place in your dream?”

  “Only one way to find out.” Addie took her cell from her pocket and hit a predial for Erin Mc Carthy, her part-time help. She had a brief conversation with the younger woman before ending the call. “Erin will be here in a half hour. She’s happy to have a break from studying.”

  Grey rubbed his hands together. “We’re off on another adventure.”

  “You don’t have to sound so happy about it.”

  “Well, of course I’m sorry about her friend dying. It’s just you usually do these things with Jonah.”

  “Oh, Grey.” She threw her arms around him. “You know I love you. He just happens to be a detective, that’s all.”

  “Sure, sure,” he pouted.

  She laughed, pushing him away. “Hey, we took you ‘treasure hunting.’ That counts.”

  His eyes lit up. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about that. I’m still looking.”

  “I have no doubt.”

  Last month, Addie had gotten mixed up in danger after buying some old books at an estate sale. The deceased owner of the estate had spent his life looking for buried Spanish gold coins he w
as convinced existed. Apparently so did others, as she, Grey, and Jonah were almost killed by a couple of murderous thugs, intent on finding the long lost, alleged treasure.

  “Fine. But don’t look for a handout when I’m filthy rich,” Grey quipped.

  “You’re already filthy rich,” she pointed out.

  He smirked. “True. But when I find the lost treasure, I’ll be even richer.”

  “As long as you don’t let all that money go to your head and forget about us little people.”

  “Who are you again?”

  “Very funny! I’m going to get some work done in my office until Erin gets here. Yell if you need me.”

  She opened the gate behind the front desk and whistled for the girls, who followed her to her office. Once inside, she shut her door and pulled her laptop from her shoulder bag. While it booted up, she thought about the dream. Nothing in it seemed familiar. But she did have a sense of having been there, or somewhere similar, before. Maybe it was a hospital or local nursing home. Ocean Grove boasted one small hospital, of which she’d already been a guest this year. As had Jonah. The hallway in her dream didn’t resemble any of the floors she’d seen at Ocean Grove Memorial. She’d never visited any of the local nursing homes, although she had considered training the girls to become therapy dogs. Hmmm…that might get them in the front door.

  Her computer sprang to life. She signed in before opening her browser. Curious, she searched for Magnolia Haven. The local elder facility came up right away, and she clicked on their website. The home page showed the outside of the building, complete with a courtyard that boasted a fountain and many shaded benches. Not bad. She scrolled along, finding out this facility held several different levels of care, from assisted living right up to skilled nursing and something called a memory care unit.

  Mrs. Henry probably lived in the first, but maybe her friend had transferred after his brief illness. She’d have to ask her. Addie didn’t know anything about these types of facilities, but Magnolia Haven seemed to have all the right accreditations. Not finding anything other than marketing, she hit the search bar again. This time, she typed in “Bill Hamilton.”

  A short obituary popped up. She perused the lines, nothing of interest jumping out at her. Seemed he’d lived a long life, most of it spent right here at the beach. He’d served his country in Vietnam. Nothing that made you think someone would want to murder him. Addie wasn’t convinced her elderly friend was correct. Mrs. Henry might be traumatized by his death and not thinking clearly. But she owed it to her friend and loyal customer to at least take a look.

  Lost in thought, she never heard her office door open, but she jumped at the sound of a male throat clearing in her doorway. “If you’re ready, Erin just arrived.”

  “Don’t do that!” She shook her head at her own foolishness. “Sorry, you startled me. Let’s go.”

  Addie shut her laptop and left the office. “Let me put the girls away.”

  “Hey, Erin,” she called to her part-timer.

  “Hi, Addie. Thanks for calling me in.”

  “You’re helping me out.”

  She led Gracey and Lily behind the front counter, giving each of them a dog snack. This week’s delight featured doggie cookies in the shape of pumpkin pies. Her friend Gertie ran Any Way You Slice It, a local bakery. Known for her pies and cookies, Gertie also sold a limited number of canine cookies. Lily and Gracey numbered amongst her best customers. She patted each Sheltie on the head, laughing at the crunching noise coming from both.

  “Erin, we won’t be long.”

  “No worries, Addie. I’ll do anything to avoid the hundred pages of reading I have to do.” She glanced around the room, a wistful look on her face. “If only I could read what I wanted to everyday and not required reading.”

  “Don’t worry. You will someday. Okay, we’re off.”

  “I’ll drive,” offered Grey.

  “As long as you obey the speed limit. Driving with you is like being on the Autobahn.”

  “You've never been to Germany. And I like to consider them suggestions, not so much rules.”

  “As is evidenced by your ridiculous car insurance bill.”

  “Not my fault some cops are sticklers for these things. Hey, speaking of cops…”

  Addie held up a hand as they walked out the back door. “No.”

  Grey pouted. “You didn’t even know what I was going to say.”

  “Jonah is NOT going to fix any of those outstanding tickets you have.” She waited while he unlocked the doors to his Jeep.

  Grey slid into the driver’s side. “What good is sleeping with a cop if you can’t have the odd ticket taken care of?”

  “I’m sleeping with him, not you. And I wouldn’t ask him anyway.”

  “Ah ha! So, you are sleeping with him.”

  She gave him ‘the look,’ not that it ever worked on Grey. “A lady doesn’t kiss and tell. We aren’t all sluts like you.”

  He stopped at a red light, placing his hand over his heart. “You wound me. Or you would if that wasn’t true. So, how is he?”

  “Not answering. What do you make of all this? Am I jumping to conclusions?”

  She glanced sideways at him, noting the teasing look had vanished from his face.

  “Your dream makes this real. Or at least something. Maybe we’ll have a better idea after we look around,” he answered with a shake of his blonde head. “I need you to promise me to be careful this time.” The light turned, and Grey started driving, eyes on the road, but he took her hand in his. “I can’t lose you.”

  3

  A large lump formed in Addie’s throat. She squeezed Grey’s hand. He might give her crap, all the time, but he loved her, just as she loved him. “You’re not going to lose me. Besides, when am I not careful?’

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the time you broke into Gwen’s apartment after she’d been murdered.”

  “Me? You were right there with me if memory serves. And we didn’t break into anything. The door was open already.”

  “Which should have told us something.”

  She sighed. “True. I still feel badly about getting Jonah shot.”

  “That wasn’t your fault. You didn’t shoot him. For the hundredth time, Jonah is a detective. Getting shot is a job hazard for him.”

  “Still, if he hadn’t come to protect me, and you I might add, he wouldn’t have gotten shot.”

  “He wouldn’t have gotten shot if the bad guy didn’t shoot him. But he did. It’s what they do. Kind of like when a zoo animal eats one of its trainers.”

  “What?” Her BFF had a way of making his own logic in the world.

  “You know. When you read in the paper that some wild cat in a zoo, or maybe a polar bear, eats someone in its pen. They always say, ‘The tiger was just being a tiger.’”

  Addie couldn’t stop the wave of laughter that bubbled out of her, despite the grim topic. “I don’t think it’s the same thing.”

  “I beg to differ. It kind of is.”

  She knew this inane conversation might have continued on for another hour. Grey loved to debate things with her. The inaner, the better. But Magnolia Haven appeared around a bend on their left. She pointed. “We’re here.”

  “Got it.” He turned into the parking lot, then pulled into a space marked for visitors. “Do I have to go with you?”

  “What? Of course, you do. I thought you wanted to go on ‘an adventure.’”

  He heaved a dramatic sigh. “It’s going to smell bad. Like old people and death.”

  “Grey! That’s a terrible thing to say. You’re going to be old someday.”

  “I hope so. But I won’t be living here. Especially after I find that Spanish treasure. I’ll have scantily clad young men serving me my meals on a private island in the Caribbean.”

  “As long as you don’t forget about me.” Addie got out of the car. “Now, best behavior, please. And follow my lead.”

  “Yes, Mom,” he griped but followed her th
rough the front door.

  Addie stopped inside the door, looking around. “Not at all what I expected,” she whispered to him.

  “Hello, how may I help you?” asked a gorgeous, young woman, stepping out from behind a desk in the foyer.

  Addie fixed a huge smile on her face, all set to launch into her therapy dog cover story.

  “Hello, darlin’,” Grey replied, charm oozing from him. “The little lady and I have come to inquire about possibly having her dear granny stay with y’all.” He turned to Addie, staring. “Didn’t we, Sugar Plum?”

  She resisted the urge to kick him. Barely. “Why, yes, honey bun, we did.” She grabbed his hand, making sure to dig one nail into his palm. Hopefully he got the message. She turned to face the young woman.

  “My grandmother really shouldn’t be living alone anymore. But she won’t come live with us.”

  “Too many great-grands under-foot, I'm afraid. This little lady just keeps popping them out, don’t you?”

  She should have kicked him. “What my, uh, husband means to say is that she values her independence too much. Doesn’t want to be a burden. I'm sure you hear that all the time.”

  Miss North Carolina smiled, her perfect white teeth almost blinding Addie. “Why, of course, ma’am. Here at Magnolia Haven, we pride ourselves on structuring a living situation to meet each of our residents’ needs. Is she still able to care for herself?”

  “She is. We just have concerns for her living all alone in that big house of hers.”

  “Mansion, really,” Grey said to the woman. “We don’t want to brag or anything, but Granny is very well off.”

  “Well, our finance department handles that sort of thing. Let me get you one of our admissions counselors. She can give you a tour.” She pointed to a comfortable looking couch. “Why don’t you have a seat, Mr. and Mrs…?”

  “Mayberry,” answered Grey.

  “Well, Mr. and Mrs. Mayberry, I’m Felicia. Please have a seat while I call Mrs. Audubon.”

  Addie latched onto Grey’s hand, all but dragging him to the furthest end of the sofa. “What is wrong with you?” she muttered under her breath.