Bygone Days Page 3

  Opal stared after her as she left. “I don’t know what’s more frightening. The fact she believes that she’s assisting in surgery or that the hobbling residents here may have offered up a hip for practice.”

  “She’s not that far gone,” Pearl said. “Is she?”

  “Dr. Smalls said she keeps a regimented schedule so she can have more leeway in the evenings. Maybe she thinks someone will eventually need her to assist in surgery.”

  “Oh please. Surgeries aren’t performed here, Mary Louise.”

  “Maybe not, but medications are dispensed. And we need to find out who’s tampering with them.”

  Chapter Five

  An hour later, they’d exhausted all options and failed at gaining access to the on-site pharmacy. As residents, they were ineligible to work in the dispensary which meant it was next to impossible to find out who took what medications let alone if the residents received the right prescription.

  Temporarily defeated, they walked outside and found a quiet area to talk. The pool closed in August, but the patio was always open. By the looks of things, no one was too interested in poolside conversations if skirtinis had already been tucked away in lieu of sweaters.

  Left to their individual thoughts, Mary Louise noticed the largest oak tree over to the left. She couldn’t help but think of Clarence Jackson and how welcoming he’d been when they’d first arrived at Cozy Retirement Community. Who could’ve known what the future would hold? They’d been instrumental in Clarence’s arrest, but he was to blame. His murder weapon of choice—a bloody skillet—was found at Vintage Whispers.

  Pearl said, “Sam’s medication wasn’t dispensed here.”

  “And just like that, it’s the end of peace and tranquility,” Opal teased.

  “If not here, where?” Mary Louise asked.

  “Doggone it. Pearl’s right.” Opal tapped her forehead with her open palm. “Why didn’t we think of that sooner?”

  “I’m lost,” Mary Louise admitted.

  “The pharmacy label was from Bristol’s Main Street Pharmacy and Gifts. It didn’t come from the dispensary.”

  “You’re brilliant.” Opal issued a rare compliment.

  Pearl looked pleased as punch as she pointed at her temple. “I keep valuable information up here. Access is a little slower but that’s to be expected. We’re aging, you know.”

  “I’m not touching that one.” Opal stood. “Let’s go. Maybe we can catch Mack before the pharmacy closes.”

  “We’ll have to hurry. We wasted the day away at the dispensary.”

  “Wasn’t a wasted day in my book.” She rubbed her stomach. “Best scones are the ones right out of the oven.” The dispensary was next to the snack bar. If they didn’t sample everything on the menu, it wasn’t for their lack of trying. “Are ya gonna sit there or go with us?”

  “Won’t do any good.” Mary Louise steepled her fingers and rested her elbows on the table. “Mack burns his records as soon as an obituary hits the paper.”

  “That’s right,” Pearl said. “Denise down at the Five and Dime said he started doing it after Bristol had so many drug overdoses in the area.”

  “He doesn’t want to be held accountable?” Opal let the Five and Dime slide.

  “That’s the rumor. Denise has sixty-four family members and they all go to Mack for their drugs.”

  “Knowledge is power and the truth has finally set me free.” Opal wasn’t a fan of the Five and Dime. They served up hot gossip to insiders and cold shoulders to everyone else. “I knew there was something wrong with those people.”

  “For your information, they take herbs. But just so you know—and it’s important that you do—“those people” are our friends. And they’re the kind of friends a person needs. As an example, they’re campaigning for politicians in another state. Want to know why?”

  “Not really but go ahead.”

  “They said if they can get Jimbo Green elected in Virginia then it won’t be long before they can bring Mary Jane on home. She’s their cousin, I believe.”

  “I’ve got this one,” Mary Louise said, prepared to explain that Mary Jane was code for marijuana. Before she had the opportunity, Selma opened the terrace door. “Mary Louise, you have a call on line three. You can take it in my office or use the one in the hall.”

  “It’s probably Mark.”

  Opal snickered. “Ask him to send Catherine to the Five and Dime to help Denise with her cause.”

  “The last thing she needs is to befriend the girls at the Five and Dime.” Mary Louise laughed. “We can’t deal with her now. Can you imagine what would happen if someone introduced her to Mary Jane? She’d be impossible!”

  “Oh she wouldn’t go to the Five and Dime,” said Pearl in a serious voice.

  “Why not?”

  Pearl straightened her shoulders. “Well for starters, Mary Jane’s been stoned since she left home. Why do you think Denise’s family is trying so hard to bring her back to Tennessee?”

  Chapter Six

  “This is Mary Louise.” She held the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

  “This is Candace. I need to see you.”

  “I’d like that.” Never one to kick a gift horse in the mouth, Mary Louise took a seat on the fabric-covered bench. “Are visitors allowed?”

  “No and that’s one of the reasons I need to see you. These people think I belong here.”

  Imagine that. “The hospital is one of the finest in the region.”

  “My room is on the geriatrics floor. Someone should’ve noticed that I don’t belong here.”

  “Don’t you have friends or family, someone you could call?” Mary Louise was instantly suspicious.

  “That’s what I’m doing now.”

  “Glad to know I’ve graduated to the friend realm. You must need something because based on our brief conversation yesterday, I would’ve gone for barely acquainted.” After her accusations regarding Pearl, they weren’t friends and never would be but she’d feign friendship if it would later help her family. Pearl and Opal were family.

  “I don’t belong here.”

  “You didn’t belong here but it didn’t stop you from marrying a man twice or three times your age.” Mary Louise cringed. We are the company we keep. “I’m sorry. Your marriage isn’t my business.” She hesitated. “Okay, tell me what to do.”

  “I need a handbag from my Bristol flat. It’s near your old place.”

  “How do you know where I live?”

  “We’re practically neighbors. I lived in 105 facing the alley. I’ve dyed my hair blonde. I was the brunette with the crazy cat.”

  Mary Louise froze. “The crazy cat that napped on the hood of Pearl’s Mustang?”

  “I’ll pay for the damages. I didn’t know Mariclaw scratched up your friend’s car.”

  “If you know it now, you knew it then.” Wasn’t it funny how quickly someone would right their wrongs when they were in need? “How do I get in?”

  She lowered her voice. “I’ll give you the code.”

  “Before you do, tell me what you need. I’m not going in blindfolded.”

  “Look, I can’t ask anyone else. I don’t have family here.”

  “Friends?”

  “No.”

  That didn’t come as a surprise.

  “Regardless of what you think, Sam was my life. We were together three years before he fell ill and asked me to marry him.”

  “Strange. Everyone I talked to this morning seemingly believed he was the epitome of perfect health.”

  “On the exterior, sure, but he had heart problems. We won’t know anything until the autopsy is complete but he probably died of a heart attack.”

  Mary Louise had been willing to believe the same until Candace phoned a stranger. “Look, I’d love to help but can’t.” If she needed assistance, surely she had professional acquaintances, someone who knew her well enough to lend a hand. “Sheriff Littleton is on speed dial, remember.”

  “I’m not up t
o anything,” she said. “I’ll call the police and tell them I asked you to retrieve my handbag. Then, you can bring it to me. Fair enough?”

  Mary Louise considered it for about a minute. She’d like to have access to the flat but since Candace looked more like a guilty suspect than an innocent bystander, she’d decline. “I’m sorry for your loss and based on that alone, would help if I could, but too many accusations were thrown down as threat.”

  “Someone is trying to kill me. I need my purse!”

  “Why?”

  The line went silent. “Because I need to protect myself.” Her voice quivered. “Please.”

  “Must be some purse if you’re planning to use it as a weapon. Does it have spikes in the bottom of it?”

  “It’s better if you don’t know.”

  Mary Louise considered Mack’s pharmacy again. Before Pearl had taken off on a Five and Dime story, Mary Louise had meant to mention the pharmacy rumors. Supposedly, more drugs were sold in the back than out front.

  “Does this have anything to do with a pharmacy that pushes drugs of the illegal variety?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “I want to know what I’m getting myself into.”

  “Sam was a silent partner there.”

  “I see.” She still wouldn’t go to Candace’s place. “Call Sheriff Littleton. He’ll put a guard on your room.”

  “Some of his deputies are on the pharmacist’s payroll.”

  Mary Louise had heard that rumor, too. “I’ll check with Opal and Pearl. Give me your number and I’ll call you when I have something.”

  ****

  “She’s alone in the world,” Pearl said, trailing them back to their pod. “We don’t leave a good woman down.”

  “Good and down are both debatable,” said Opal, swiping her key and entering. She went to the kitchen. Mary Louise and Pearl waited in the living room.

  While Opal put on the coffee, Mary Louise explained what she’d been asked to do. “What do you think?”

  “You’re the one who has the loaded gun,” Pearl said, nodding her head and smiling at Opal. “With friends like you, who needs target practice? You’ll put the bull’s eye on her back.”

  “How long did it take ya to spin one of my lines?”

  “A while.” Pearl laughed. “Mary Louise, you can’t help her. You just can’t. She wants one of us to look guilty.”

  “Until we know if she’s guilty, we can’t point fingers. Remember what happened when we jumped to conclusions before.”

  “Our conclusions led to a conviction. And that’s not what’s bothering ya.”

  “What if she has a gun in her handbag?”

  “That’s what bothers you most about this situation?” Opal scoffed. “Not me. I think she wants to dispose of evidence and can’t get away from the hospital to do it.”

  Mary Louise grimaced. “She sounded scared.”

  “She should be. She’s guilty!”

  “Pearl, we don’t know for sure.”

  “She could set ya up, hon.” Opal frowned. “I don’t like it and won’t let you do it.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “Which is why I’ll get the purse and take it to her.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me,” said Opal, opening the medicine cabinet and pouring four aspirin in her hand.

  Pearl screeched. “What are you doing? You’re allergic to those!”

  Mary Louise read through her plan. “Won’t work.”

  “Sure it will. You get the purse.” Opal flipped her hand over and revealed the tiny white pills. “In thirty minutes or less, my throat will be constricted and it’ll be a medical emergency. I’ll call 9-1-1 and tell the operator that I took the medicine by accident.” She slipped the pills in her pocket. “Once I’m at the hospital, I’ll play the sick act until I finally realize the pills are in my skirt. By that time, I’ll have a bed on Candace’s floor and my handbag beside me. No one will suspect a thing.”

  Mary Louise contemplated all possible outcomes. “It might work.”

  “It will. When I’m the captain of a ship, it’s smooth sailing.”

  “Until you’re thrown overboard! When the waters are rough, it takes more than a high tide to carry you home.” Pearl frowned. “If you return home at all.”

  Chapter Seven

  The plan worked like a dream. Until it didn’t.

  Mary Louise retrieved the handbag, passed the purse to Pearl and sent her back to Cozy Retirement to hand it off while paramedics loaded Opal in the ambulance.

  Unable to deliver the handbag inconspicuously, she hopped in the rescue squad after making a scene that she’d never forgive herself if something happened to her lifelong friend.

  Unfortunately, the medics couldn’t do their job with the chatty Pearl directing them. She was left downtown and walked to Vintage Whispers.

  Frantic, Mary Louise rushed to the breakroom as soon as she arrived at their antique store. “Are you okay? Layla said the medics left with you and Opal. Until I read your text, I thought something went terribly wrong.”

  “You should’ve known if Miss Layla told you anything, it was a hoax.”

  “Did you or did you not leave in an ambulance?” Mary Louise collapsed on a nearby burgundy settee, feeling right at home. The hectic lifestyle was taking its toll.

  She also missed visiting with their customers and decorating the vintage booths and contemporary nooks. Here, she was surrounded by the things they loved—old-fashioned clothing, handmade crafts, decorative hatboxes, and other timeless treasures. In some ways, it felt as if they’d never left.

  “Since you’re here, Layla must’ve gotten part of the story right.”

  “Those paramedics said I hindered them from doing their job. I tried to tell them that Opal was faking it. They wouldn’t listen. I was so scared for her. They treated her like she was in an emergency situation, hooked her up to an IV and everything. She was terrified!”

  “Opal knew what she was doing. She’s taken aspirin by accident before. It’s a routine she knows all too well. You know that.” Pearl fidgeted and that was worrisome. “She has the purse though, right?”

  “Of course she does.”

  “Then what’s eating at you?”

  “They treated me like an old woman!”

  “Considering our current residence has a sign that reads: Welcome to Cozy Retirement Community, you can overlook one wrong assessment. Besides, they can’t be too careful. The community is now known for one murder and one attempted murder by poisoning.” She frowned. “And it’s not been that long ago that Clarence was arrested there. It was big news in our small town.”

  “I don’t care,” Pearl said stubbornly. “Do I look like a killer to you?”

  “No but the same could’ve been said for Ted Bundy.” Mary Louise sighed. “Does Opal have the right purse?”

  “Yes. Stop rewording your question. I’m paying attention.” She sat across from Mary Louise. “You were counting on me. I didn’t let you girls down.”

  “This was one time I wish you had.” She quietly debated what to share with Pearl.

  “What’s in the bag?”

  “That’s just it. I didn’t open it. There wasn’t time. Old neighbors caught me in the parking lot and mentioned Candace’s mewling cat. I took out the litter box and fed him. By that time, the clock was ticking and more neighbors gathered to find out how I liked living at the community.”

  “So for all we know, we just gave Opal the murder weapon and sent her on a merry little way?”

  “It’s okay.” Mary Louise hoped that was the truth. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “You’d better hurry. We can’t see Opal until tomorrow. For now, she’s on her own.”

  ****

  Mary Louise and Pearl spent the afternoon at Vintage Whispers. They opened for a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed talking with old customers. As soon as they turned the shop sign to ‘closed’, Mary Louise’s phone buzzed. “Opal
?” She hit the speaker option. “Can you hear me?”

  “It’s done.”

  “Super. I wondered if you’d have a chance to see her today.”

  “I was worried,” said Pearl. “You sounded like one of those mob guys reporting in after a hit. Maybe Mary Louise and I should bring over the lasagna and garlic bread.”

  “A good vino will do.”

  “After you’re out. How’s the service?” Pearl flopped down on a beanbag chair and outwardly cringed as she ran her palms over the pale blue vinyl cover. “Where’d this come from?”

  “You finally noticed the tacky chair in the breakroom, did you?” Opal laughed. “Your daughter. We now sell trains in case she forgot to mention it.”

  Pearl glared at the toy chest against the wall. Mary Louise suspected that Vintage Whispers may have been the end goal when she and her friends were first escorted through the gates of early retirement. Now the proof was in the shop.

  “As for the service, it’s not what we’re used to. I keep hitting the ‘nurse call’ button just to see if someone asks, ‘May I help you’ but most of the time, I don’t hear it. On a positive note, they stopped by a few minutes ago and asked if I needed anything, maybe an aspirin.”

  Mary Louise laughed. “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. According to one nurse, few people are allergic to aspirin.”

  “Tell them your friends have witnessed the combination and it’s akin to tripping on LSD.”

  “How would you know?”

  “She hangs out at the Five and Dime with Mary Jane’s friends.” Opal cackled. “Do me a favor, will ya? Guard my hats. Nurse Waterbury told the medics to keep me for observation.”

  “Oh you’ll be there for forty-eight hours,” Pearl said. “Get comfortable and enjoy yourself.”

  “Tell me that after you spend time here. Place is noisy. It’s almost as bad as being Layla’s neighbor.”

  “We’ll handle Waterbury but don’t put much stock in her instructions. No one pays her any mind.”

  “Tell that to the technicians here. I’ve been down to radiology twice thanks to Nurse Waterbury. She told them I wouldn’t admit it but I swallowed two marbles thinking they were gummies. Now they’re waiting for me to pass it. Want more details?”