Blanche wanted to know the source of the anger to make sure there really wasn’t a potential problem for Edna. Blanche wished she could put Edna in her purse and whisk her away from all this.
“No sappy sayings on your walls?” Al asked him as they moved into Antonio’s room.
It didn’t seem to have been fixed up much just a few picture frames and a colorful lamp of a hula dancer with a pointy red shade a la 1950s. They all agreed before leaving to break into interesting conversation as they neared the anonymous doors and pause for a good look-see.
While Blanche didn’t think Unit 2 related to the drugs, it was nice having conspirators and a plan. It stimulated her sense of adventure.
They sauntered down the hall of green swirly carpet.
Tonio asked Blanche, “Are you a dancer?”
Blanche patted her bouffant strawberry hair-do. “Why?”
“Let me show you an easy salsa move.”
“Oh dear, I was never much of a dancer when I was young, and it’s been years since I tried,” Blanche said.
Before she could finish her sentence, Antonio the charmer took her hand and hummed. He led her around in such a way that the musketeers could circle and eyeball the entrance to the mysterious Unit 2.
At first, Blanche concentrated on the steps that Tonio led.
“Head up, don’t look at your feet. Good dancers don’t look at their feet.” He winked at her, and she trusted her movements into his hand while looking up.
Al had become transfixed with the transom windows running horizontally up high and the door frame. “Say, that is above average.”
Before he could say more, one door opened and a security guard popped out. They all jumped a little.
“Sorry ladies and gentlemen, this is an emergency corridor and we need to keep it clear. If you could take your dancing down to the lounge that would be greatly appreciated.”
“Ta-dah,” Antonio said spinning Blanche off his arm.
They all made an effort at laughing and wandered down the hall casually without saying anything. The guard stood arms crossed outside the door and watched them shuffle off.
When they were out of ear shot, Edna said, “Hey, that wasn’t one of the regular guys. He had a different uniform not a Royale Cove security outfit.”
“Private security? Why would that be?” Blanche asked.
“No one cleared my daughter off the other day. She kept going out in the hall. I thought it was to demand something of the staff.” Edna put in.
Blanche had to wonder if the Dragon was looking for whatever people she expects to find out here. Would she really stick her mom out here just to break some kind of tabloid information to the world?
“Did you see the wires on that door?” Al asked.
“Uh, what wires?” Blanche hated to admit she hadn’t.
He gave her the cat’s meow grin he always gave when he knew something she didn’t. “It was wired up for security like a painting in a museum. There was a camera above aimed at the door. A camera aimed out that shifted as we moved around. The windows and the jambs had detection on them. A bit of overkill for an oldies exit.”
Blanche felt her eyebrows jump up. “You really were in security.”
“You’re always the skeptic. I know stuff too. You know?” He stuck out his tongue and danced his hat on his head before lowering himself in a chair in the lounge.
“I know you know stuff. But you’re also full of hot air.”
Edna said, “Probably in more ways than one.”
Tonio took a seat in the grouping and casually crossed his legs. His colorful shirt not buttoned up very far gaped open exposing a tan chest, gray hair and gold necklace. “No extra security before today. Do you suppose there’s extra special company upstairs?” He slicked his mustache with a practiced gesture and continued.
Blanche knew celebrities did facelifts all the time and hid it, in California, Boca, and everywhere. So what - some richies can come pay a mint and hide away for their cosmetic work?
Maybe it helped relieve life in a closed environment to snoop. A guilty pang hit her, but she reasoned she wasn’t just snooping when she got involved with people she just liked to help.
A cluster of personnel followed one person pushing a cart through the lounge. They paused and talked to one another in Spanish. Blanche watched Tonio’s face to see if he listened. He nodded at one of the guys who broke off from the group. His staff tag declared him to be Carlos.
They had a quiet conversation in Spanish and something exchanged hands that Blanche couldn’t see. Whatever it was, it must be illegal, in here anyway.
When he returned to their group she asked, “What’s your theory on getting drugged?”
Tonio shook a finger and pointed to Bruce walking down the long carpeted hall and conversation in their little group died.
“You must not have been able to find me. I’m here to take you now.” Blanche did not like the sound of that at all.
Chapter Sixteen
Bruce walked them around the building trumpeting amenities and advantages. Each intersection of hallways offered a professionally decorated lounge on one side. It reeked of a formal corporate decorator. Bruce’s patience with Al’s slow canes and Edna pushing her walker cart was remarkable. Blanche had seen many young people exasperated at the slow rate of progress. She imagined this guy, Bruce, just saw dollar signs when he saw canes and walkers.
When they walked into the hall where Edna’s room was located, Blanche piped up, “What’s upstairs from here? It’s three stories on this end.”
“The Dementia Unit. Should you become incapacitated, heaven forbid, you would not have to be moved to a new facility and lose your investment but could simply move to a new room where you could receive appropriate levels of care.”
Very slick, Blanche realized. Points for Bruce.
As they approached the doors where they were chased off from earlier, Blanche said, “So can we go check out the Dementia Unit through there?” She pointed.
“No, that’s a service area. It would be unsafe for our residents who need help with mobility. The residents entrance is through our administrative office for higher security and safety.”
Al poked one cane on to the top of one of Bruce’s shiny wingtips leaving a smudge, “You mean this kind of stuff, huh?”
A pained smile came over Bruce, “Yes, we limit access to certain areas for your own safety. Our resident well being comes first in all things.”
“But there must be a way to take a look at the other floors,” Blanche persisted. “It would be weird living somewhere you haven’t seen what’s around.”
“We can arrange a tour on another day for the Dementia Unit. Most people find it disturbing, and also we don’t like to upset the carefully balanced routine on the unit. Think of the rooms and other wings as you would levels in a condo. You wouldn’t go exploring other people’s condos.”
Blanche knew she’d struck out, but this was her first time at bat with this guy Bruce the Bald.
He escorted them through a series of halls and up the elevator to the offices which seemed to be in the center wing. Blanche tried to see a door that would communicate with the mysterious Unit 2 as they went, but there were too many unmarked doors.
Bruce settled them in his office and presented a mug with sugar free candy in it to each of them.
“I want to explain to you the resident’s point of entry policy.”
Al piped up quickly, “Oh no, Bruce, you’re mistaken. We just came to visit Edna.”
Blanche jumped in, “I’d be interested in hearing the costs to join.”
“You don’t have that kind of...” Al said and she gave him the shut up face and nudged him with her shoe. He couldn’t always tune into the subtlety of what she was up to.
“That’s exactly what I was going to do,” Bruce said.
Blanche thought resident point of entry must be code for money. Of course it was outrageous. Not to mention you had to have speci
al connections to the island or a resident in the care center as a sponsor.
“So in your case Ms. Binkley, Edna could be your sponsor if you decide to join our community.”
Sure, like joining the local gym, Blanche thought. Gotta keep out the riffraff. She turned on her most interested professional secretary charm as the slick Bruce explained she and Al could do a legacy entry and leave their entire estates to Royale Cove Care Center if money was a challenge.
“I see. Then say I’d bought into the program, what does the monthly billing look like. What expenses could I expect?”
He presented her a blank invoice with some basic amounts.
Blanche smiled brightly and said, “I’d like to see a real bill.”
“For the privacy of our patrons, I can’t do that.” He was becoming less friendly, so Blanche just kept pouring on the overdose of nice.
“You could black out the name. I just always feel seeing a real bill helps one digest the actual costs.”
Bruce shook his head gently.
“How about Edna’s? She’s here.” Blanche gave a look to Edna who seemed sleepy with post lunch stupor, but she perked up.
“Actually, my daughter asked me to pick up a copy of my bill anyway. I don’t mind if my friends see it.”
Bruce said, “This is highly inappropriate. Only your daughter...”
“You did mention that bills were available on request earlier.” Blanche gave him a flirty smile.
His steely grin gave any impression except happiness. “I did. Of course. We aim to keep residents happy.”
He handed the copy to Edna. She looked it over a bit and handed it to Blanche without saying anything.
Blanche was a pro at forms and invoices in her executive secretary days. She noticed immediately it was obscure. “It’s all in codes. Is there a key?”
“It’s all part of the Medicare system that we have to submit. The codes are in the Medicare documentation.”
Still obscure. Humph. This was going to require research. Wasn’t this a high end secret hideaway for rich oldsters? So what was with all the Medicare codes? What about a bottle of wine on a bill, like Tonio at lunch?
Bruce, in what was a slick move Blanche admitted, slid the bill out of her hand and put it in a sealed envelope and tucked it in the carry all seat of Edna’s walker. “My assistant, Benita is back and will continue your tour.”
Benita a stylish older lady wore glasses on a gold chain around her neck.
She toured them through the professional kitchens where the friendly chatter of the employees went silent as soon as they entered. They were introduced to the head chef and a pastry chef.
Al nudged her in the ribs and said, “I wouldn’t mind to have those two back at the condo, eh?”
Blanche laughed and took the cookie sample on offer. She supposed if it were like pampering maybe someplace like this would be okay. Then again, she’d never had a stage of life that could be described as pampered. She might not like feeling beholden and dependent. She couldn’t afford the buy in even if she sold everything she owned, but Bruce and Benita didn’t have to know. She wondered what Diane had done to get Edna inside.
They toured laundry facilities, a flower arranging area, classes for residents, a beauty salon that Blanche thought was actually quite nice, the chapel and the synagogue.
They paused for a free coffee at a coffee bar with limited hours. Blanche imagined they tried to shoo everyone to bed early so the staff could watch TV. She leaned in to sip her coffee and heard Benita whisper to the coffee barista, “They aren’t the Royal Cove type.”
Blanche almost bit through her styrofoam cup. Humph. It might be true, but it’s a free country by God.
“Thanks for the tour,” Blanche said to Benita in an effort to get rid of her. “We’ll visit with Edna and head back soon.”
Benita looked at her watch and smiled. “We just have time to tour the outdoor area and I’ll walk you to the 3:40 boat.”
Benita dutifully toured them through the pool, patios and the garden pointing out a walking path that led into the dense dark canopy of jungle growth and trees. Blanche thought it looked isolated even during the day. Give her a busy sidewalk in town any day.
Al had shuffled on with Benita as Blanche poked her head into the tunnel of foliage and looked both ways.
Further down the path in the dimness two men fussed, one older and clearly a resident. Their voices drifted to Blanche.
“Franny ain’t gonna like this.”
“This is family. It’s not for you to understand.” The old man said.
“Family or no. They sent me out here to ask you.”
“My own flesh and blood doesn’t have time to come have a conversation with me? Maybe I don’t have time to take suggestions.”
The middle aged polo shirt guy grabbed the old man’s arm. He yanked his arm away. The old fellow wasn’t in bad shape.
The younger thug ran a hand over his head. “You know how it is. It ain’t exactly suggestions . C’mon, Mr. Sabatini. You can’t send me back like this. I don’t want to get fu—“
“Hey, I got religion, remember?”
“Sheez. I don’t want a big to do and them to put a freaking slug in me or something for delivering your indelicate answer. Besides your answer wasn’t so clean.”
“I forget sometimes. Habits. I thought they put me out here, so I wouldn’t cause trouble no more?”
Benita called out behind Blanche, “Yoohoo, Ms. Binkley?”
The demeaning tone made Blanche cringe and the two men glanced over at the path entrance where Blanche lurked. She gave a wave and rushed to join up with Al. Secrets filled every corner here. Blanche couldn’t decide if it gave her the creeps or if she felt intrigued.
Al suggested they sit and visit with Edna at one of the outdoor benches and catch a later boat, but Benita hustled them along.
Benita gave Edna a practiced hug, “You go relax. I think there’s piano music in the Sienna lounge till 5.”
Edna gave Blanche a sideways smile and whispered entirely too loudly,“That was code for scram, and you’re not allowed off the grounds.”
“Now, now Mrs. Edna, you’re such a joker.” She gave a practiced dry laugh. “Shall we?” She gestured Al and Blanche to the front garden.
Benita had never taken her eye off of them for a minute.
Al setting the pace with his canes got them to the boat in plenty of time and Benita handed them two thick packets of information on Royale Cove Care Center residency.
As Benita walked off, Al said, “She didn’t want us to have any downtime to chat with Edna.”
“No or get that bill from her either. I guess they’re pros at handling people since they probably deal with a lot of angry and nosy family members. Did you hear the snide comment about us not being their type?”
Al let air in under his hat on his head, “Missed that. Dirty rotten....let’s make a run for the mainland and let these rats have the island.”
Blanche chuckled but it didn’t reach her heart. “Yeah, we gotta break Edna out before things get weirder.” She jammed her elbow into Al before he said anything as the tough man who argued with the oldster in the woods walked up.
Chapter Seventeen
The ferry pulled up and Al asked Blanche questions with his eyebrows. She shook her head not saying anything and they filed onboard trailing the man who’d arrived in a hurry.
Blanche was not mistaken. He was the man from the jungle path. This guy had on chinos and a chartreuse golf shirt that was hard to miss. She maneuvered a seat near him as he called someone on his cell phone.
“Archie, you’re never gonna believe what Mr. Sabatini wants me to say. No the old Mr. Sabatini, you moron.” He let out a string of swear words that made a few heads turn on the boat deck.
Blanche surmised that Mr. Sabatini resided in Royale Cove Care Center.
“How would I know what it’s about? I just came to deliver the message that HQ wanted some help and now I�
�m screwed...”
He walked to the railing and Blanche lost track of the conversation. She explained everything to Al as quietly as his hearing aids would allow. The middle aged man in the bright shirt paced around like a cat and didn’t notice them at all.
“Hot dog, Blanche, you can find controversy in a bird’s nest. That’s not what we came out here for.”
“You’re right. Seems to be some interesting folks though.”
“Are you getting interested in spite of yourself?” Al grinned and raised a gray eyebrow up to his hat.
“The effort to keep the obscure bill from me has me convinced we’ve got to come back and dig deeper on the finance thing. That might be enough to spring Edna. Maybe we could stay at the ex-son-in-law’s house like Diane said.”
“You mean, you gotta come back. I got family in town that keep an eye on me, remember? I can’t just jaunt off without an explanation. Day trips are one thing.”
That was a disagreeable idea — coming out here on her own. “Oh!”
Al turned his head to follow Blanche’s gaze.
The Dragon waited on the dock, tapping a high heeled foot in $500 shoes as the boat docked.
“What the...how’d she know we would be here at this time?” Blanche said.
“We could have been on another boat. What’d she do camp out all afternoon?” Al asked.
Just to irk her, they waited until all the able bodied island employees and the tough in the green shirt had exited before she and Al made their way across the gangplank.
Diane’s beautifully treated hair stirred in the breeze coming off the water. Blanche watched her tuck it impatiently behind an ear and compose her face into a fake smile. Her body language told another story though.
“What’d you get in the phone?” She held out her hand before they’d gotten directly in front of her.
“How’d you know we’d be here now?” Al asked digging the phone out of his baggy shorts pocket.
“There’s GPS in the phone.”
Blanche was frustrated. It looked like she wouldn’t have a chance to look at the pictures for herself. She wanted to do her own snooping before the Dragon took away the evidence.
Complicated Care Page 6
