Bygone Days Read online

  Minutes later, they stood in front of 502, the unit Sam had shared with no one of record. According to Nurse Waterbury, Sam planned to live alone then “up and got married” to everyone’s surprise.

  Waterbury was happy to hand off a master key. She even told them to keep it. She had an extra one loaned out to the mysterious nighttime housekeeper Lori Sheldon, also a resident.

  They entered the unit and slipped off their shoes at the door. Mary Louise was instantly surprised by the décor. She’d visited other residents and all the units were nicely appointed but this one was extravagant. From the lavish antique furnishings to the expensive paintings on the wall, the place undoubtedly had an interior designer’s handprint somewhere.

  “Did we leave the community and walk into an Atlanta showroom?” Spellbound, Pearl circled the rounded couch and leather beanbags. “We need the name and number of their decorator.”

  “As opposed to winging it on our own?” Opal scoffed. “Our apartment would be equally as nice if we could make up our minds to stay.”

  Opal made a strong case there. Since moving in for their short-term 30-day trial period, they’d been undecided. Thanks to a low occupancy rate, due in part to a former resident’s murder conviction, they were able to extend their trial period.

  Not one to waste time, Mary Louise said, “I’ll search the bedroom on the right. Opal, take the left. Pearl, stand watch outside.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Why’s that a problem?” Opal asked.

  “If someone sees me, they’ll know what you’re up to.”

  “No. They’ll see you and guess that you’re wandering around the halls aimlessly like ya always do. No one will be alarmed.”

  “I’m standing with Opal on this one,” Mary Louise said, entering the master suite. The pod-style unit that Mary Louise shared with Opal and Pearl offered more living space but this cozy unit had the bare necessities.

  Mary Louise immediately noticed why the room was so bare. “No dresser, no chair, just a tidy queen-sized bed and bedside table without drawers.” She checked the small closet and returned to the formal area. “They must use the master as their guestroom.”

  Opal exited the guest room and stood about fifteen feet away from Mary Louise. “Empty.”

  “Furniture?”

  “Nope. Carpet looks new. Maybe that’s why they haven’t moved anything yet.”

  “So they slept in here,” she said, thumbing the room behind her. “But where are their clothes?”

  Opal shrugged. “Maybe that’s why we didn’t know them. Perhaps they just moved in and that’s why Sam was in the foyer. Maybe he was unpacking the car.”

  “She was wearing her nightgown and robe.”

  They swapped glances before Opal said, “It’s beginning to look like the place was swept. Let’s call Littleton. We should keep him in the loop.”

  “I don’t want to bring him in yet.”

  “Ya sound like a woman in charge.” Opal wore a satisfied grin. “I like it. Works for ya.”

  “What would we tell him exactly?” Until they were more familiarized with the couple and the case—if there was a case—she didn’t want to bother Littleton. “We’ll get a home address and pay Sam’s widow a visit in the morning. The shock will have worn off by then. Maybe she’ll know if anyone may have wanted to harm her husband.”

  “What if she’s the guilty party?” Opal opened the door.

  Pearl jerked in surprise and scrambled to her feet. “All done?”

  “Were you asleep?”

  “Guilty as charged.”

  A ding-ding resounded and the elevator doors parted. “I knew it!” Sam’s widow marched toward them. “A criminal always returns to the scene of their crime.”

  “I guess that explains everything then, doesn’t it?” Pearl tossed the accusation right back. “Should we call the detective or a priest? Who gets your confession first?”

  Chapter Three

  “What are you doing in my apartment?”

  “We’re within our rights if we stay silent.” Opal glared at Pearl. “And it’s recommended.”

  “Hush,” Pearl muttered then turned to the widow. “Um, not to be catty, but this is Sam’s apartment. You aren’t old enough for residency here. Why I bet you still wear a retainer and need help taking your contact lenses out at night.”

  Sam’s widow scoffed. “I stopped waiting for the tooth fairy a few years ago, sweetie. Of course you wouldn’t know anything about that. Dentures are a real challenge, they tell me.”

  “Girls.” As much as Mary Louise enjoyed the bantering, she didn’t want to be disrespectful at such a sorrowful time. Pearl could dish it but didn’t take it very well when someone served it back. Opal was the exception.

  Aware of the uncomfortable silence, she introduced herself and shook hands with Sam’s widow. “I’m Mary Louise. It’s nice to meet you. Wish the circumstances were different.”

  “And I’m Opal Pain.” She extended her hand then tilted her head at their unusually quiet sidekick. “You’ve probably heard of Pearl by reputation.”

  “I’m sure she has one.” Accepting Opal’s hand, she reluctantly introduced herself as “Candace, the deceased man’s wife” and even added a weak, “It’s a pleasure.” What a nice touch. Maybe she’s not as rude as she first seemed. “Yours, I’m sure.” Or maybe she’s worse.

  “Of course it is.” Opal glanced over the widow’s shoulders. “We’re charmed.” Thank goodness. Opal let Candace’s remarks slide. “We’ve been standing guard in case the paparazzi showed before you had a chance to call for a press conference.”

  Mary Louise cringed. “She meant reporters.”

  “I know what she meant,” Candace snapped. “Someone want to tell me why you were in my apartment?”

  “We weren’t,” Pearl’s poker face was pretty good, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the hitching sound of automatic locks. She turned away from Candace and hummed. Sensing it didn’t work, she looked on again and whistled. “I hit all these different notes. Like that hitch you just heard? Constant frog in my throat.”

  “This isn’t a dog and donkey show. And you didn’t answer my question.”

  “It’s dog and pony,” Pearl said incredulously. “And your place was unlocked.” She shoved her arms behind her back and crossed her fingers.

  Mary Louise noticed. Candace looked down so she wasn’t oblivious to the action or the reason behind it.

  “What were you looking for?” She scowled. “What do you want?”

  Reduced to playing it straight, Pearl asked, “Can we come in? We need to ask you some questions.”

  “Since you’ve already made yourselves at home?” She balked at the mere mention of hospitality. “Not tonight.”

  “Okay then. Come on, girls.” They wouldn’t get anywhere with this one now that she suspected them of snooping without her knowledge. If they wanted answers, they’d start somewhere else.

  Pearl started down the hall. Opal followed her. Left to face the music alone, Mary Louise said, “I’m sorry if this is a bad time but we wanted to offer our condolences. If you need us, we’re—”

  “I won’t,” she said frankly. “As your friend mentioned, I’m not old enough to be a resident here. I’ll leave tomorrow.”

  “Age is just a number.”

  “Yes, but in the case of retirement, your number’s up. Not mine.”

  That stung.

  She turned her back and unlocked her door. At the hitch, she glanced over her shoulder. “If anything is missing here, I’ll call Sheriff Littleton. I have him on speed dial.”

  Good to know. “We didn’t touch anything that belonged to you.” There wasn’t a lot to trip over.

  “Oh I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” she said, sticking her hand in her pocket. “In fact, I’m willing to bet there’s at least one set of prints on Sam’s medicine bottle. If your friend didn’t know him, why’d she kill him?”

  “She didn’t.” Mar
y Louise turned on her heel. “And we’re done here.”

  At her back, she heard Candace mutter, “It’s not who did the crime that matters. It’s who looks guilty enough to face the charges.”

  Uninterested in a losing argument, Mary Louise returned to their pod to find Opal and Pearl anxiously awaiting details. Instead of providing tidbits of information, she announced, “We need to sneak out tonight.”

  Pearl frowned. “I can’t talk you out of it but I’m not going and don’t want to know about it. After we worked on Oscar’s case, I thought about our contribution and how everything unfolded. Investigating murders isn’t what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

  “Says the talking head of Hankerly’s hunters?”

  “It’s Hankerly’s—”

  “We know,” Mary Louise interrupted. “And you don’t mean it.”

  “Yes I do. I’m uninterested in helping you solve a dangerous crime.”

  “Because helping a killer get away with murder sounds more appealing?”

  “That’s not what I meant, Opal.”

  “What did ya mean?” Opal sat on the arm of their tan leather recliner. “The only reason we were involved in Clarence’s case was because he left the murder weapon at Vintage Whispers.”

  “And he tainted our business and lives because of it.” She threw up her hands. “I want to play bingo and cards. I want to cook a massive meal and leave the mess for someone else. Is that so bad?”

  “She’s scared.” Opal opened the closet. “Let’s go.”

  Pearl twisted her mouth as Mary Louise and Opal grabbed their sweaters. “Where are you going?”

  “Thought ya didn’t want to know,” said Opal. “Where to, Mary?”

  “Maybe Vintage Whispers?” Where else could they go after midnight? Thanks to Pearl’s daughter Catherine, the local police officers were aware of the trio’s late night visits to the shop. If the community’s administrator later discovered they were MIA, she also knew where to look.

  “What do you think we’ll find there?” Pearl’s curiosity gave away a truth. She’d go if they’d make it worth her while.

  Mary Louise shrugged. “I’ll know it when I see it. It’s more of needed break from all the craziness here tonight. With any luck, will stumble upon something that makes sense or someone who knew Sam.”

  Opal opened the door. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s roll.”

  “Super. Did you have to make it sound like an adventure?” Pearl held up her finger. “Let me grab my jacket. Be right back.”

  Mary Louise told Opal about Candace’s threat. When she finished, Opal was trembling with fury. “She thinks she can pin this on Pearl? How?”

  “She’s the only one who touched the medicine bottle.”

  “My prints are there too.”

  “She didn’t see you,” Pearl said, rejoining them with an added spring in her step.

  “So much for hiding under the cover of darkness. Is the pink jumpsuit bright enough for you? We might as well walk out the front door and ask Miss Layla and her noisy spirit guide to join us.”

  “Says the woman who wears hats bigger than an elephant’s head,” Pearl fired back.

  “Not now, you two.” Before Mary Louise could say anything more, sirens rang out. “What now?”

  Opal shot across the room and opened the window. Pearl stuck her head out before anyone else had the chance. “I don’t see anything but an ambulance.”

  Rob’s quiet sidekick Evan called out, “It’s the old man’s blushing bride. She’s been assaulted. Some fella jumped her. Stay put! We’re on lockdown!”

  “Oh no.” Pearl ducked inside again.

  “What’d he say?” Opal asked.

  “Sam’s wife has been attacked.” She swung her gaze to Mary Louise. “I knew I shouldn’t have left you alone with her.”

  Opal groaned. “With friends like Pearl, we’ll never worry about standing before a firing squad. Pearl can find enough ammunition to bury us both.”

  Chapter Four

  The next morning, the residents hummed with gossip. The whirlwind of criminal activity kept the place on lockdown until the wee hours of the morning.

  At breakfast, Miss Layla, a woman who was constantly haunted by a so-called spirit guide, exclaimed, “You’re all in danger!” She danced like a warrior but it wasn’t in celebration. Her earsplitting chants were steeped in sorrow. “Sam’s dead because I got it wrong.”

  “What’d she get wrong?” Pearl asked.

  “Who cares?” Opal scooped some oatmeal in her bowl. “I’m assuming if she ever gets it right we won’t hear from her again.”

  “Good grief,” said Mary Louise. “I hope this means she’ll stop wailing for a while.”

  “Generally lasts about twenty-four hours,” Red, often referred to as the Amazon woman, jumped to the front of the line. She reached for a pear and almost knocked Pearl over. “Don’t feed the madness.”

  “I don’t.” Red moved on and Pearl was left without an audience but still said, “And Miss Layla isn’t mad. She’s troubled. Her spirit guide is preparing her for the last days of her life. Wouldn’t that drive you crazy?”

  Red hesitated before she tossed a warning over her shoulder. “One of these days, she could be dangerous. I’m never wrong. Ask Dr. Smalls.”

  “Oh the nerve of that woman,” said Pearl, grabbing the tongs and helping herself to some bacon. “She just took all the pancakes.”

  “You can have mine,” Opal said, filling her plate with extra eggs. “We need to talk to Nurse Waterbury. See if she knows what happened last night.”

  “I hope Candace is okay. I didn’t care for her but don’t wish anyone ill will.” She sighed. “If only Mary Louise could say the same.”

  “Incoming fire. Duck!” Opal laughed, poured some orange juice, and chose a table.

  After morning announcements and prayer, a collective hush fell over the group.

  “My favorite part of the day,” said Pearl. “We’re unified but it’s so quiet that you can enjoy the calm before the chaos begins.”

  Opal broke a piece of bacon in half. “Tell me when that unified calm begins. I’d like to enjoy it, too.”

  “Very funny.”

  “I heard you’re looking for me.” Nurse Waterbury pulled out a chair and plopped down. “They took Candace to the Specialty Care Unit over at the hospital. That’s where they take all of us.” She looked around as if she were a real conspirator. “They also take those who are a little touched in the head, if you know what I mean. Whole floor is reserved for retirees and lunatics.”

  “Good thing I’m not either,” said Pearl, holding out her side plate for Opal’s pancakes.

  “Ya took the words right out of my mouth.”

  Mary Louise leaned forward. “How long have they been residents?”

  “Sam’s been paying a monthly fee to hold his unit. They began decorating a few weeks ago. Last night was their first overnight stay.” Waterbury straightened her identification badge. Up until recently, it was blank. Now it read: VIP Nurse on Duty. Apparently, that upsold her credentials or lack of them.

  Waterbury was very knowledgeable about the retirement community. Helpful to a fault, she was easy to spot thanks to her attire and typically dressed in all white—cap, dress, tights, and shoes. She was more of a busybody than the resident charge nurse but the outfit worked well for her purposes. At the moment, she was the only one who could provide what they needed—access and information.

  “Do we know what happened to her?” Mary Louise asked.

  Nurse Waterbury straightened her spine. She undoubtedly liked the we-element.

  “The full story is still pending. They’ll put her through some tests. It doesn’t matter that she doesn’t look like a retiree. With plastic surgery now, anyone can look twenty-five. They’ll hold her for forty-eight hours.”

  Mary Louise laughed. “Now that, I’d like to see.”

  “Well you can’t,” Nurse Waterbury said. “Until the
staff evaluates her, she can’t have visitors.”

  “What happened? Folks were saying she tried to kill herself. Did the pressure get to her? Guilt maybe?” Mary Louise should’ve been ashamed for asking. She didn’t know Candace.

  Nurse Waterbury shook her head. “Nothing like that.”

  “You can tell us,” Pearl said. “We’ll keep it to ourselves.”

  She affixed her white cap and seemingly admired Opal’s orange trapper-style Russian hat. “What’s it worth to you, ladies?”

  “Not that much,” Opal said, patting the material against her ears.

  Pearl locked gazes with Opal. Nurse Waterbury had been dying to raid Opal’s closet. “Far be it for me to mention this but it’s your turn to take one for the team and that ridiculous hat doesn’t match anything.”

  “Keeps my ears warm.”

  Nurse Waterbury shrugged. “Your loss.”

  Opal grunted. “Fine. You can have one cap for bits of information.”

  “My choice?”

  “Sure. It’s one less hat that Catherine will have when I’m done here.”

  “Done?”

  “You know.” She sliced her finger across her throat. “I’m afraid to say it aloud.”

  “You said enough,” Red grumbled, pulling earplugs from her slingshot-style bag.

  As if Opal had summoned Miss Layla’s spirit guide by the lone action, Miss Layla jolted from her table and began another death dance. Mary Louise watched in horror. “What is she doing?”

  Waterbury shrugged. “I thought we’d enjoy a relatively quiet day. Guess I was wrong.” She leaned forward. “But I’m not wrong about this. Sam was murdered but his wife didn’t do it.”

  “If not her, who?” Mary Louise asked.

  Nurse Waterbury checked her make-believe pager and hurriedly stood. “I’m sorry, ladies. Wish I could help but I’m needed in OR-1. We’re doing a hip replacement this morning.” She patted Opal’s shoulder. “Whatever was found near Sam’s body is your clue. That’s all I have for you.”