Hair Brained

by Nancy J. Cohen

  “I can run criminal background checks on the group of women.”

  “How’s your other case going? The robbery victim?”

  His expression brightened. “Kat nearly has that one sewn up. We should have enough any day now to nail the guy who did it. I’m staying out of her way until she asks for more help, but she’s got it covered.”

  “It must be difficult for you not to step on each other’s toes,” Marla remarked with a degree of resentment. The female detective hadn’t made things easier for Dalton.

  “We’re supposed to be working together. Sometimes, I have to remind her,” he replied in a terse tone.

  “That sounds like Darryl, according to what Jeri told us. Maybe Ken chastised him because he didn’t play with the team.”

  “Don’t the insurance reps work on commission?”

  “Yes, but you’d think they would help each other. Like, maybe one of them is better at selling homeowners’ insurance, while the other guy gets more auto policies. That sort of thing. Ken would have known their strengths by examining their sales records and certifications.”

  “And their weaknesses. I wonder if he was planning on letting any of them go.”

  “How could you find out?” Marla asked.

  “Mallory has Ken’s hard drive from work. If he’s found anything that relates to one of the employees, he isn’t sharing.”

  “This must be so frustrating for you.”

  “I have a personal interest in the case. I can’t blame Mallory for keeping a tight lid on it. He might have the state financial department breathing down his neck, too. I wish he’d at least throw me a bone in that direction.”

  “What did you find out in your research on them?” Her nose tickled from the dust in the car. She grabbed a tissue from the glove compartment and sneezed into it.

  “The Chief Financial Officer holds the top post. It’s an elected position for four years. Nathan Rice is the current CFO. I understand he’s aiming for the governor’s seat.”

  “I’ve never heard of him, but I’m not into politics.” She stuffed the crumpled tissue into her purse for disposal later. Dust motes glittered in the sunlight streaming in from the windows.

  “Among his other duties, the CFO is responsible for licensing and oversight of insurance agents and agencies. Their department has fourteen divisions that perform the actual work. The Insurance Fraud Division is the law enforcement arm responsible for investigating fraud, whether by individuals, insurance agents, or insurance companies.”

  “Who’s head of that one?”

  “Director Liam Kelton is in charge. He has an assistant director. Beneath them are several bureaus. For example, the Bureau of General Fraud is run by a chief in Tallahassee and is further divided into various field offices.”

  “It sounds complicated.” Marla disliked politics unless it affected the causes that mattered to her. And even then, she preferred a summary to a point-by-point news report. She massaged her temples that had begun to throb from all the details. “So who did the dead woman work for?” she asked out of curiosity.

  “Her name was Louise Harrison. She worked out of the Fort Lauderdale field office.”

  “Have you been in touch with them?”

  “It’s not my case. You know I’ve been trying to play nice and go through Mallory without annoying him.”

  “We should let him do his job. He’ll be upset enough when he learns we’ve been poking around Ken’s business connections.” She stared out the window at the passing scenery. They’d switched to the turnpike and were closing in on Mount Trashmore, judging from the odor in the air. Black birds circled overhead, eager for the meal they spied below. Marla wrinkled her nose until they’d passed that segment of the highway.

  “You’ve given me an idea,” Dalton said in an eager tone. “We haven’t considered who else might have had a grudge against Ken. A disgruntled customer or a former employee could have wanted revenge.”

  “We won’t find out unless we can access his work computer, and that’s not available to us,” Marla reminded him.

  “How about the one in his home office?”

  “It might still be there if Mallory hasn’t confiscated it. I haven’t checked lately.”

  “Then we should swing by Tally’s house.”

  Marla phoned her mother to say they’d be later than expected. All was well with Luke, so Anita said they didn’t have to hurry home. Nonetheless, Marla vowed to look for an experienced sitter in their neighborhood. It would be easier than relying on family members or calling Mrs. Phelps each time they needed someone to watch the baby.

  Come to think of it, why did Mrs. Phelps seem to be free so often? Didn’t she babysit for the neighbors in her community as much as she claimed?

  “I’m glad Ma is able to look after Luke, but we shouldn’t take up so much of her time,” she told Dalton. “Don’t forget, we have to pick up Brianna on our way home, so we need to be quick. By the way, did you give Sergeant Mallory a key to Tally’s house?” She offered Dalton a breath mint from a container in her purse.

  He took one and popped it into his mouth. “Nope, Mallory got a key from Phil when he was here. You’d think the guy would call to ask about his nephew’s welfare or Tally’s condition, but I haven’t heard a word from him. Have you?”

  “No, I’d have mentioned it if he’d called. The man is a jackass who only cares about himself. That’s why Tally and Ken didn’t trust him to handle their affairs.”

  *****

  Twenty minutes later, they approached Tally’s house, silent without its occupants. The front windows stretched like vacant eyes, reflecting the hollowness of the place. As Dalton pulled into the driveway, sadness draped over Marla like a salon smock with lead weights sewn inside.

  She emerged from the car and neared the front door with a heavy heart. Tally should be home, bustling around her happy family.

  Please, please, wake up and be normal, Marla prayed as though Tally could hear her. She swiped at her moist eyes as Dalton unlocked the door. His gaze hardened, as though he shunted his feelings behind a professional mask.

  Once inside, they veered to the den where the couple kept their lone desktop computer. It looked dead, and when Dalton pushed the power button, nothing happened. A quick examination told him the hard drive was gone.

  “Damn, Mallory must have taken it.” Dalton looked disappointed even though they’d known this was a possibility.

  “Ken might have backed up his documents to the Cloud. We could sign in from our computer at home, but we’ll need his passwords,” Marla suggested.

  “Even if we found them, we don’t know what backup program he used.”

  “Why don’t you look in the drawers and see what you can find? Did you ever contact his cell phone provider and ask about cloud storage there?”

  “Mallory has that information, and he isn’t sharing.”

  And you don’t want to butt in on his territory, she surmised. “Take a look around. I’ll collect the mail in the meantime.”

  Dalton glanced up when she returned to the study. “Are there any bills that need immediate attention?”

  “We can sort through the envelopes later. I left them in the foyer. Did you find anything of significance?”

  “Nothing useful in here, and I checked Ken’s nightstand as well. Mallory must have taken anything potentially helpful to the case. Is there anything else for Luke that we can bring home?”

  “I took most of the portable stuff the last time I was here, but look for a high chair. What do you plan to do about Ken’s things?”

  “Let’s leave those decisions for Tally when she wakes up.”

  While he headed toward the nursery, Marla wandered into the kitchen to check the refrigerator. Phil must have cleaned out the remaining perishables, but condiments still remained along with longer-term items.

  The pantry was full of foodstuffs, too. Most of them could keep, but if Tally didn’t awaken soon … No, don’t think that way. We�
��ll leave things as they are for now.

  One shelf held part of Tally’s extensive cookbook collection. Marla examined the volumes with fond memories. They’d taken a French cooking class together back in the day. Tally enjoyed reading vintage cookbooks for their personal commentaries about life in an earlier era, while Marla chose regional ones that showcased an area’s specialties. They’d often shared recipes, or at least they had done so before Tally swore off red meat and other foods Marla considered staples in her diet.

  Tally had veered in another direction then. She’d joined a drumming circle, studied Reiki healing, began yoga classes, and started espousing the mystical powers of rocks and crystals. Since Ken’s gemstone mine investment proved to be fruitful in the long run, this last wasn’t so difficult to understand.

  Recently, Tally had seemed to drift away from these interests and back toward more mainstream views. Maybe Luke had given her life renewed meaning. Or else she’d still felt the need to stretch, and that’s why she had joined the tea circle. It gave her a new outlet and a fresh identity aside from Luke’s mom.

  Marla cast aside these thoughts to conduct a brisk search through the house. When neither she nor Dalton turned up any useful clues, they left. She brought the pile of mail but needed the couple’s online codes more than anything. Too bad Tally hadn’t kept a printout hidden somewhere.

  “I’ll stop by the bank tomorrow,” she said. “They should be able to tell me which bills are automatically deducted from their checking account. Then I’d like to reach out to the tea circle members to get to know them better.”

  Dalton frowned. “I’m favoring the trail in the other direction. It’s more logical Ken was involved in an operation that came under scrutiny and led to the fraud investigator’s death.”

  Marla conceded his opinion made sense but wasn’t ready to give up on their other options. She’d have to wait until the next day, though, to pursue matters further.

  On Monday, she awoke prepared to take Luke to day care, go to the bank, and follow her own leads. Luke, however, had different plans.

  The baby cried, refused his bottle, and felt hot to the touch.

  Alarmed, Marla rushed to consult Dalton. He was in their bedroom getting dressed for work. “Luke may be sick. Come and take a look.”

  He followed Marla into their temporary nursery and put a hand to the infant’s forehead. Luke’s face scrunched, and he emitted a howl that shook his entire body.

  “Did you change him already?” Dalton asked, a worried crease between his eyes.

  “Yes, and he doesn’t seem hungry. I brought him back to bed when he refused to eat.”

  “It feels like he has a fever. Where’s the thermometer?”

  “Did we bring one from Tally’s house? Or do you mean the one that we use?”

  “No, it’s a thing you put on their foreheads.”

  “Let me look at the latest supplies I brought back.” She retrieved the bag from their guest closet and rummaged through it. “Do you mean this item? It comes with directions and says you stick it in the ear.”

  “Yes, that’s a newer device. Give it to me.” He took a moment to do a reading. “One hundred and two.”

  She cast him a panicked glance. “What do we do?”

  “We have to get his temperature down, but we don’t have the proper meds in stock. It’s been fifteen years since I’ve done this, don’t forget. They probably have better methods these days. Call the pediatrician.”

  “Could Luke be teething? Doesn’t that cause elevated temperatures?”

  “Not like this. I’ll run to the drugstore and get you something to soothe him until you see the doctor.” He stuffed his wallet in a pants pocket and buttoned his sport coat.

  “That’s okay. You have to get to work. It’s better to see what the pediatrician recommends. Don’t kids get strep when they’re young? Luke might have caught something at the day care center.”

  “The doctor will probably do a throat swab. They see stuff like this every day.”

  Oh, great. And if it turned out to be a strep infection, Marla and Dalton had been exposed. This was one of the unfortunate hazards of parenthood.

  Nervous about being alone with a sick child, Marla nonetheless shooed Dalton away to work. She’d have to learn to manage on her own. As soon as office hours opened, she called the pediatrician’s office and was grateful they could fit her into their morning schedule.

  At ten o’clock prompt, she checked in at their reception desk. She had to show documents regarding her authorization to care for Luke. The staff hadn’t heard about Tally’s accident. One of them called the hospital to verify Marla’s story, while another lady made copies of the papers along with her driver’s license. Marla felt like a criminal who’d stolen a child. However, a kidnapper wouldn’t bring the baby to his pediatrician’s office.

  She took a seat in the waiting room as directed by the receptionist and gave an anxious nod to the other mothers hanging out in the sick section. The normal kids, present for healthy check-ups, congregated in a separate area.

  When it was their turn, a nurse took Luke’s weight, measured him, took his temperature with a digital ear thermometer, and then led Marla into a treatment room. Luke fussed the whole time, while Marla felt helpless in her ignorance. How did new moms learn what to do?

  A wave of relief hit her when the doctor finally entered. She was a young woman with reddish-tinted hair and a friendly smile. Her white lab coat differentiated her from the staff with their cartoon-character scrubs. The doctor greeted Marla and introduced herself.

  “I’m so sorry to hear about Luke’s parents.”

  “Thanks. I never expected to fill this role,” Marla confessed.

  “You said Luke’s father died in the car crash and his mother was injured?”

  “Yes, Tally is unconscious in the hospital. She’d listed me as successor guardian and trustee if Ken didn’t survive her.”

  “How horrible. Aren’t there any close relatives?”

  “A brother-in-law, but he’s a bachelor who isn’t interested in being saddled with a baby.”

  The doctor’s brow wrinkled. “I thought Tally mentioned that her father lived in Florida. Surely he could pitch in to help his grandson?”

  “You must be mistaken. Tally’s parents are deceased.”

  “Really? I didn’t get that impression, at least not about her dad. Something she’d said during her last visit … well, never mind. Tally is fortunate you’re here for her. What are her chances for improvement?”

  Marla’s eyes inexplicably filled with tears. “Who knows? She’s getting better physically, but mentally is another issue.”

  “Let’s hope she comes out of the coma soon. Luke needs her. So what’s wrong with the little guy?”

  “He woke up fussing and hot to the touch this morning. I called your office right away.”

  “Has he been in contact with anyone who’s sick?”

  “I started him at day care last Monday,” she said with a modicum of guilt.

  The doctor gave a knowing nod. “That will do it. Did you give him any medicine this morning? His temp is still up there.”

  “No, I wasn’t sure what to do. He doesn’t seem to have any other symptoms. He’s restless and not very hungry, but I suppose that’s to be expected.”

  “It’s important to keep fluids in him. Let’s take a look.”

  A nurse came in to hold the baby while the doctor did her exam. The lady physician murmured soothingly to Luke as she checked him over.

  “Seems like a virus to me,” she told Marla, while washing her hands at the sink. “I don’t see any signs of strep, but the nurse will do a swab just to be sure. Call us if he develops any other symptoms or gets worse. I’ll leave you some prescriptions at the front desk.”

  “Thanks so much, doctor.” Marla refastened his diaper, pulled on the baby’s clothes, and strapped him into the carrier she’d brought along.

  When the swab came back negative, M
arla gave a sigh of relief. That was one good thing in their favor.

  At the exit, the receptionist gave her several medications and a tube of teething gel, plus a set of written instructions. While grateful she didn’t have to make a separate trip to the pharmacy, Marla winced when the acquisitions came with a hefty bill.

  “Will you be filing for Tally’s insurance?” she asked the desk clerk.

  “Yes, we’ll take care of it. In the meantime, please sign here that you’re responsible for any unpaid amounts.”

  Marla complied. She’d already given the co-pay upon arrival. Aware that Luke had an appointment for his six month visit coming up, she didn’t schedule a recheck. If his condition worsened, she’d bring him back sooner.

  Would Tally’s coverage be changed with Ken gone? Or did she have her own health policy to supplement his group plan? Whose coverage provided for Luke’s care? Darn, she should have asked at the doctor’s office.

  Back at the house, she wrote down the time for his medication dosages, changed his wet diaper, and put him in his crib. At least he didn’t have strep. This must be some random virus he’d caught. She phoned the day care center, which she’d notified earlier, and gave them the verdict. Then she called her mother.

  “I used to wipe you and your brother down with rubbing alcohol when you got fevers. It evaporated on your skin and helped to lower your temperature,” Anita said.

  “They don’t do that anymore, Ma.” Marla sat in her study on speaker phone, eyeing the mountain of Tally’s unopened mail on her desk.

  “The important thing is to keep the baby hydrated. Do you want me to come over?”

  “No thanks, I’ll manage, and I wouldn’t want you exposed to his germs.”

  “What will you do about work tomorrow?”

  “I’ll have to stay home. Tuesdays are our slow day, anyway.” Nonetheless, she’d have to ask her receptionist to reschedule clients, but who knew how many days she’d be out?

  What did other mothers do? It would have been helpful had Tally joined a mommy and me play group instead of the tea ladies. Then Marla could have asked them for advice.