Shadows in the Night [Hawkman--Book 12] (27 page)

"He's around. Sometimes, he'll walk over to the shopping mall with one of the older seniors, and carry back their purchases. Most of them have baskets on their walkers, but others don't."

"Does he have many favorite residents?"

Carmen shrugged. “I have no idea. He doesn't talk much to me unless it's duty related, like our work schedules or such."

"Does he always park his car in front of the assisted living building?"

She laughed. “He did gripe one day about not having a place to park nearby. I told him to use the employees’ parking lot, but he said there was never a space available."

"It does appear there are more slots on the front side of the facility."

"That's because many of the people in the independent side have their own cars."

"I won't take up any more of your time. Thanks for the list."

When he stepped out of her office and moved down the hallway. Lisa Montgomery came out of her office.

"Mr. Casey, I'd like to speak with you."

Hawkman stopped in his tracks. “Yes."

Her eyes flared with angry fire. “How dare you go talk to my mother. You have no right to involve her in the affairs of Morning Glory Haven."

"What makes you think she's immune to questioning?"

"She doesn't work here."

Hawkman stared into her face. “Ms. Montgomery, you and your mother were two of the last persons to leave this building the night Ms. Spencer died. I'm investigating a possible murder and there are few holds barred. So don't tell me who I have the right to question."

She turned on her heel, stalked back into her office, and slammed the door.

Hawkman stared after her for a few seconds, then continued down the corridor mumbling, “Like mother, like daughter."

He sat down on the couch in the large sitting room and read through the papers Carmen had copied for him. Taking a pen from his pocket, he circled four names. Two he recognized, one being Maggie and the other, a male he'd met in the recreation room. The other two women he didn't know and would need to have them pointed out to him. Maybe Foster could help. The thoughts going through his mind bothered him. Things were beginning to fit into a weird pattern.

Rising from the sofa, he made a trek down the first floor corridor and spotted two of the apartments he planned to watch. He ran up the steps of the stairwell exit to the second floor, and searched for the apartment occupied by the male, since he already knew Maggie's location. Once he found it, he took the stairs back down to the main floor and journeyed into the dining room where people were starting to gather for an early dinner, as the show would start at eight.

He left there and went back to the recreation area where he retrieved his briefcase, then went up to the second floor, entered the computer room, and closed the door. Everyone would be concentrating on the upcoming show and he'd have plenty of privacy.

Taking the small camera from his pocket, he pushed in the connecting cord, and plugged it into the computer. Once the photos were transferred onto the monitor, Hawkman zoomed in on each picture. He leaned back in the chair, and stared at the screen.

Hearing a familiar voice in the hallway, he quickly closed down the snapshots, disconnected the cord, and turned off the machine. Don Jackson opened the door.

"Oh, excuse me, Mr. Casey. I expected an empty room, since everyone would be preparing for the entertainment tonight.” He ushered in an older couple. “I'm showing off the perks of our facility to these guests before show time."

"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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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 purse 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.