The Wager (10 page)

"I'll come back later tonight," he plotted. "Dressed in laundry worker clothes."

"We'll be in touch," Turk told the director as he wheeled Malcolm out of the room. Linda followed and Turk moved Malcolm and the wheelchair back to his car. The dogs were staring out the window and wagged their tails as the trio reappeared.

"What now?" Malcolm asked as Turk helped him into the front seat.

"I'll come back tonight dressed in laundry worker clothes." The construction crew workers work through the night. Everyone must be a little distracted by the noise and confusion."

"You'll need help," Linda stated. "I'll come and contact some of the others. Bea has many friends in the Dog Walking Club."

"I'll do it," Malcolm protested. "I'm the one that owes Turk."

"We won't be able to spring you from the hospital later."

"So don't take me back."

Malcolm Brooks put up quite an argument to be the

person to return with Turk. He did not want Linda to be the one implicated in the kidnapping if something went wrong but Turk overruled him. He told Malcolm that someone on crutches or in a wheelchair would not ft into the disguises they were going to use.

"Linda, I'll pick you and the others up at seven o'clock tonight," Turk ordered.

"Right. I'll buy some ER outfits. They're popular with everyone now. The laundry people wear them."

"Imagine them stacking the patients by how deteriorated they are with the worst on the highest floor and the best ones on the first."

Linda stared at the wealthy industrialist. She had never detected compassion coming from him before.

"You're right Malcolm. That's incredible."

"Likely stacked with the most spirited at the top and the most placid at the bottom. Harder to escape from the top floors, I imagine."

"And what about those memory rooms. Do you think they would be effective with Alzheimer's patients?"

"There's no study to support that. Looks like they are just trying to convince the families of their prospective clients that they are the cutting edges."

"Snake Oil Salesman," Turk sneered. "After money and lots of it if you ask me."

"And that 'Agitation Room.' Used to drug anyone putting up resistance, I imagine."

V
irginia Kelly ignored the insistent phone ringing as she passionately made love to Frank Simpson on her four poster beds. He was attached firmly in a bondage position on the old-fashioned bed and she was on top of him dressed in a dominatrix costume cracking a rawhide whip.

"I don't know what's coming over Virgie," Frank sighed to himself. "All these sex toys, erotic videos, the costumes and the bondage equipment. What have I created?"

Frank marvelled at Verges rapid advancement to them once he had taken a risk and shown her some of his videos. After several erotic movies, which Virgie seemed to appreciate once she got over her shock, he had initiated more erotic sexual foreplay with her during their increasingly more frequent sex sessions. Virginia had been a quick learner and borrowed some of his erotic literature to find out more about foreplay. Next he had introduced a vibrator into their session and lent her his copy of "Beyond the Missionary Position." Soon they were visiting sex toy stores and trying out things the clerks recommended. He realised that Virgie and he were highly attracted to one another but he was beginning to wonder about some of their practices, given their advanced ages.

Frank marvelled that it had been Virgie who had suggested they try some of the bondage positions they had been watching in the erotic videos.

"Don't worry it's just repressed sexuality," some voice in his head shouted at him. "Enjoy it while you can."

"Virgie, Frank Simpson yelled. "You better answer the phone. It might be your son or daughter coming over or something."

Virgie ignored Frank's shouting. She was used to him getting rather vocal during their sessions.

"Virgie, the phone!" he shouted as loud as he could. His words finally penetrated her brain. She dropped the whip and reached over for the phone.

"Hello," she managed as she disengaged herself from Frank. Virgie did her best to separate the sexual fantasy she was in the midst of experiencing with Frank from the strange message she was getting from Linda Daniels on the phone.

"Bea Broughton needs help," she explained to Frank as the delightful sensuality she had discovered with him finally gave way to the reality Linda was trying to tell her.

"Bea needs rescuing, " she explained to Frank. "Her son's placed her into a care home against her will and keeping her drugged. We've got to go to a meeting."

"Virgie, you better release me from these handcuffs if that's the case."

Virgie shook her head to clear it, stood up and started to search for the key to the handcuffs. She always had trouble locating it and Frank got a little irritated at the length of time she took to locate it.

"It's on the bookcase, Virgie, I watched you this time."

Virgie picked up the key and freed Frank. He helped her remove her dominatrix costume and they placed all their accessories in the large trunk that Virgie had purchased for their lovemaking.

"We'll finish this later," Frank promised.

"I promised Linda we would meet her in two hours," Virgie explained. Both Frank and Virgie changed back into their usual clothes and little Lazarus, Virgie's dog, was very happy to have his black cat outfit removed.

Back at the hospital Linda was using her cell phone to contact other members of the Dog Walking Club. Linda helped Malcolm off with his robe and he worked his way back into his bed again and listened to the conversations. He was amazed at the number of people wanting to help. By the time Linda had finished phoning he realised that all of the regular dog walking members were willing to put themselves at risk to help get Bea out of her precarious situation.

"Even Art Maloney and Frank Simpson are coming," Linda informed him. "Imagine, persons of their status. What if someone recognizes them?"

"Let them drive the getaway vehicles," Malcolm advised.

Linda laughed.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Linda started at the concern in Malcolm Brook's voice. It sounded like he really cared. She was further surprised as Malcolm seized her hand and held it close.

"I mean it Linda! I'll miss you if you wind up in the clinker."

Linda felt herself being drawn against Malcolm's body. Her heartbeat increased substantially as he pressed his lips against hers. Disappointment struck Linda as he gave her only light pressure.

"That was nice," she mused, but it was only a friendly kiss not the intimate kiss she wanted that she intuitively knew would lead to something deeper.

"I better go," she apologized. "I've got to get those ER outfits and meet the others."

"Take care," he advised. Linda blew him a kiss from the door as she left. Strong emotions were stirring up her usual calm complacency.

Later that night Turk returned to the care home with Linda, Honey Pratt, Tyler Thompson, Esther Goodenough, the Gustafsons, Frank Simpson, Art Maloney and Virgie Kelly. Turk was surprised that his Porsche and a rented, white van full of people seemed to attract little attention as they pulled into the parking lot, even with Dogzilla's head hanging out one of the windows. He guessed it was because there was so much coming and going with the construction crew.

Several of the Dog Walking Club members were dressed in ER outfits, while Frank Simpson and Virgie Kelly were dressed in formal wear. Art Maloney, the stockbroker, was wearing a business suit as was Esther Goodenough.

Turk had worked out a plan with the others. To distract the construction workers from what was happening Art and Esther were to pretend they were from the County Buildings Inspection office conducting a surprise inspection on the electrical installations. To keep the receptionist out of her space Frank and Virgie were going to pretend they had a concert date at the Care Home and had come to practice using the grand piano in the lounge next to the receptionist desk. To distract the nurses at the nursing stations on floors two to five, Gus and Tyler were showing up with their dogs, Gigi, Inuvik, Inferno and Turk's Dogzilla and pretending they were with the visiting dog program. Gloria was to remain in the van as the getaway driver and was to immediately move to the front door if called on her cell phone.

"As soon as the receptionist is distracted, Honey, Linda and I'll go up through floors two to five dressed in laundry worker's uniforms," Turk directed, "and try and spring Bea."

"Frank, and Virgie, you go into the main reception area first and insist on practising on that fancy piano of theirs."

"I'll tell them we're booked for a conference next week," the distinguished organist plotted. He took Virgie's hand as they moved toward the door.

"I'm a little scared of the consequences if we get caught," she whispered.

"Think of this as just another of our fantasies," Frank ordered. Virgie nodded and a slight smile formed on her face.

"OK dog people. Let's see if you can get the dogs up onto Floors two through five while the receptionist is busy with Frank and Virgie wanting to use the piano."

"That should start an argument," Turk continued. "While you all are distracting the receptionist, the nurses on the floors, and the construction workers, Honey, Linda, and I will go find Bea."

"Art, you and Esther go up into the construction area and pull that fake Building Inspector card I had made for you. That should distract them construction workers at the start."

Gloria moved into the van's driver's seat as the four dogs were removed for their visits.

"As soon as you spot us coming out the front door wheel the van over," Turk commanded. Gloria nodded.

"Call Tyler and have him bring down Dogzilla if anyone tries to get you out of the parking lot," Turk warned Gloria ominously, "he's trained to corner a person on command."

"I can just see the headlines now," Linda thought. "Former movie star caught as getaway driver in bizarre care home incident."

Frank and Virgie got out of the van, walked over to the front door and entered. Frank spotted the grand piano. He sauntered over to it, pulled out some music sheets from

his attache case and placed them on the piano music stand. Virgie Kelly stood beside him ready to sing. Frank played an introduction and Virgie began to sing a love song from Carmen. The receptionist who was already arguing with Gus over the dog visitors suddenly jumped up and headed over to them.

"Go ahead with your visits," the receptionist yelled at Gus and Tyler. "I just wish administration would let us know about these things in advance."

Turk, Linda and Honey Pratt immediately walked through the reception area and over to the elevator. The receptionist turned but seeing people in laundry uniforms did not question their being there.

"That's lovely music but what are you two doing here?" she said to Frank and Virgie.

"We're booked for a concert next month," Frank explained. "Your Director told us it would be all right to try out the piano."

The receptionist cursed. "Nice of administration to let me know!"

Seeing the receptionist occupied, Art came through the front door with Esther.

"And who are you?" the receptionist demanded as they strode toward her. "I can't wait to find out."

Art pulled out his fake ID as a building inspector.

"You're inspecting at night?"

"We always stage one surprise inspection," Art improvised.

The receptionist looked distraught, motioned Art and Esther toward the elevator and returned to the piano area. Art and Esther went over to the elevator.

"Oh, I suppose you can practice if you want. There's

enough noise with the construction anyway. Frank broke into the opera 'Carmen' again and Virgie resumed her love song.

Art and Esther moved up to the construction area and approached the fellow who looked like he was the foreman of the construction workers. Art pulled out his fake ID card again.

"Here to inspect the electrical installation," he notified the fellow.

"The office didn't say anything about this," the foreman protested.

"Surprise inspection," Art told him.

The fellow looked displeased but led Art and Esther who pulled out an official looking notebook and pen into the area covered in plastic. The construction noise behind the plastic nearly deafened Art. He motioned the foreman to stop the workers.

"All right but be quick about it," the foreman warned. He shouted at the men to take a break for twenty minutes. The construction noise suddenly ceased and the men started fling out toward the stairs and elevator.

"That should keep the receptionist busy," Art smiled. He followed the foreman and started to take a quick look at the electrical circuits the foreman showed him.

Up on the second floor Turk had located a laundry worker placing newly laundered blankets, sheets and towels into patients' rooms. As the construction noise ceased he strode up to the fellow and asked him if he was ready for a break.

"Thanks," the laundry employee said but gave Turk a puzzled expression. "You must be new here?"

"Just started tonight," Turk improvised.

"Remember only one blanket, two sheets and one towel to each room."

"Right. Take thirty minutes if you want."

"Thanks." The employee moved off toward the elevator. Once he was ought of sight Turk motioned Linda and Honey who had ducked into one of the rooms to join him. He moved the cart down the hall with Linda and Honey and himself working the two sides of the floor.

"One blanket, two sheets, and one towel to each room." Turk instructed.

Within ten minutes all the rooms on floor two had been checked. Turk motioned them back to the elevator. He pushed the third floor button. The trio bumped into Gus and Tyler taking Gigi, Inuvik, Dogzilla and Inferno into patients' rooms.

"Not on that half," Gus pointed to part of the floor as Turk came beside him. "We've already checked."

Ten minutes later Turk was about to despair as the end of the floor was in sight. His heart thumped seconds later as Linda came out of one of the remaining rooms and motioned him over.

"Bea's in there," Linda whispered. "But she's unconscious. Must be drugged."

Turk wheeled the cart into the room. Tears filled his eyes and he placed a kiss on Bea's forehead as he realised it was indeed the former university professor. Honey joined them in the room.

"Lots of activity around here tonight," one of the floor nurses noted all the action on her floor. "Wonder why the construction guys are so quiet and Laundry has so many workers."

"What now?" Gus, Gigi and Inuvik joined the others in Bea's room. Tyler with Inferno and Dogzilla went to talk to the floor nurse.

Turk looked at the laundry cart. He motioned Honey to keep an eye out for nurses. She moved to the door and opened it a crack. Turk motioned Linda to pull the blankets out of the bottom shelf. Turk thanked God that Bea was a petite woman. He untied her restraint vest, gently pulled her from the bed, covered her with a clean blanket and then placed the remaining blankets on top of her. He smiled as there was no part of Bea showing. The trio exited the room and headed for the elevator. Tyler was still talking to the floor nurse. Gus with Gigi, and Inuvik headed in that direction. The distraction worked. The nurse bent down to pet Inuvik and the cart with Bea on it moved toward the elevator.

Inside the elevator Turk pressed the lobby button. He positioned Linda and Honey on each side of the cart in case Bea started to move. As the elevator opened piano and vocal music filled the trio's ears. Turk looked for the receptionist. She was still over at the piano listening to the music.

Turk smiled and moved the cart through the lobby with Honey and Linda still at his side. The receptionist turned but ignored them.

"Must be used to people in laundry uniforms going in and out." Turk thought to himself.

As the trio and the laundry cart reached the sidewalk the lights went on in the van and it pulled up. Turk went to the rear and opened the back. He slid the cart with Bea still on it into the back of the van. Honey, Linda and Turk climbed into the van.

Turk called Gus's cell phone, waited until it gave two rings and shut it off. The quartet waited anxiously until Gus, Tyler and the dogs came out of the front door of the care home and moved inside the van. Turk used his cell phone twice again, once to Art Maloney still looking at electrical installations