The Babbling Brook Naked Poker Club - Book One

by Ann Warner

  “We do have evidence he drugged me.”

  “That was my doing as well. I’m sorry about that, Josephine, but we wanted to make sure you slept soundly while Eddie was moving the painting. We didn’t want to frighten you.”

  I sat staring at her in surprise. Her tone seemed sincere and apologetic. Definitely not the Edna I thought I knew.

  “Are you sorry for what you did?” I found I wanted to understand what made her tick.

  She chewed on her lip, and her eyes filled with tears that she swiped at impatiently. “These last few days, I’ve seen myself through Baxter and Amanda’s eyes, and I discovered I don’t like myself very much. I used to think I was a person who righted wrongs, like punishing my sister for hurting Jonquil. But since this happened.” She stopped speaking and shook her head.

  Although I’d been ready to disbelieve whatever she said, I saw nothing sly or calculating in her expression. She had trouble looking me in the eye, but that seemed to be more from embarrassment than because she was trying to mislead me. If it was an act, it was a darn good one.

  “I’ve hurt people, you see. And that’s made me a not very nice person. Or a happy one. What I did to my sister and Charles . . . he never loved me, you know. Not that I expected him to. But I didn’t realize how hard . . .” She shook her head sharply. “Baxter and Amanda made up for some of that. I love my son. And I love Amanda dearly.” She looked away, obviously struggling for composure.

  Again, I considered the possibility it was all an act. But if it was, she’d missed her calling. No, I was positive what I was seeing was sincere regret.

  “Was Amanda angry with you?”

  Edna shook her head. “Worse. She was disappointed. So was Baxter.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I deserve it, you see. Here I am, eighty-three years old, and I’ve only now been able to admit I don’t like myself. Do you have any idea how awful that feels? I’ve been stupid and arrogant and self-righteous. I always thought I knew the right thing to do about what I considered the wrongs others committed. But taking your painting, that was over the line. It wasn’t righting a wrong. There’s no way I can justify it. Not even to help Amanda.”

  She stopped speaking, her head shaking from side to side. “Worst of all, I have no idea if I can be a better person.” She paused and took a shuddery breath. “That scares me more than . . . dying.”

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  She sat for a moment, staring at her tea. “That’s the difficult part, isn’t it? Easy to confess my sins, not so easy doing the penance. But I’ve already apologized to Amanda and Baxter. And I want to apologize to you as well, Josephine.” She glanced up at me. “I’m sorry I viewed you as an impediment and a way to get something, and not as a person whose friendship I should have valued.”

  I examined Edna, seeking any sign she was calibrating her answers to please me. I didn’t see any. While I knew Edna could steal, I didn’t think she was a liar, although there was that whopper she’d told Charles.

  “You do realize, I can refuse to press charges against you. At least, about my part in this. You’d still be charged in the other thefts.”

  There was a flare of hope in her eyes, but then it died. “No, I think you should press charges. It probably doesn’t matter anyway, since the police already have my confession. Accepting my punishment without feeling sorry for myself—if I do that, then maybe I’ll be able to earn Amanda and Baxter’s respect. Besides, it’s time I suffered the consequences for my actions.”

  “I believe you already have.”

  “Not everything I deserve.”

  “Maybe not. But what good will it do if you spend your remaining time on the planet wallowing in guilt?”

  She looked up, eyes wide.

  “You’ve been given a gift, Edna. One not many receive. That of seeing yourself clearly. Don’t waste it.”

  Like I did, I could have added. For were her sins any blacker than my own? I’d been dishonest as well. I hadn’t loved Thomas, but I’d been unwilling to divorce him and live a more authentic life. And I’d let Thomas come between Jeff and me, and made few attempts to put it right.

  I sighed, set my cup down with a decisive click, and left Edna ruminating on her sins.

  ~ ~ ~

  I took the rest of the weekend to think about it, then I went to see Mr. Souter first thing Monday morning.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Bartlett. What can I do you for?”

  I find many modern expressions vacuous and none more than the one he’d just used, although he got points for using the proper form of address.

  “I have something to tell you. And I have some questions,” I said.

  “Shoot.”

  Another modern expression that needs to be . . . well, shot.

  “I wanted to let you know, I won’t be pressing charges against Edna about either the ransom demand or the drugging.”

  “I see. Why not?”

  “There are extenuating circumstances.”

  “And those are?”

  “She was doing it to help with her granddaughter’s college expenses. It was an unselfish act, you see.”

  “That doesn’t make it right.”

  “Of course not. But she’s made a full confession and accepted complete responsibility.”

  “I suppose that’s a start. Although if it were up to me, I’d prosecute her to the fullest extent possible. She did, after all, damage Brookside’s reputation.”

  “I doubt that. If word gets out, and it might, of course, you can say the items were taken by a resident who suffers from kleptomania, but that she has agreed to let you check her apartment whenever something is reported missing.”

  “But she hasn’t. Agreed, that is. And she won’t need to since she’s leaving. By the end of the week.”

  “Yes, I want to speak with you about that. You see, since she’s already returned the items she stole or made restitution, it’s likely she’ll receive a suspended sentence. And if she does, I intend to pay her expenses so she can stay here.”

  “What? Why would you do that?”

  “Because I want to.” And I’ve been prevented most of my life from doing what I want to do and I’m tired of it. “I’ll need your cooperation since I don’t want Edna to know I’m paying.”

  “But what do I tell her?”

  “Tell her that Brookside has just received a bequest to establish, um, you can call it the Babbling Brook Perpetuity Fund. It’s purpose is to provide financial assistance to residents who can no longer afford to live here.”

  “But we have more deserving recipients of such assistance than Edna.”

  “People who are facing eviction, you mean?”

  “We hate to do it, but sometimes . . .”

  “Is there anyone else at risk right now, besides Edna?”

  “One or two, I believe.”

  “Get me the details, and I’ll consider expanding the fund. Now, about Edna. I want you to inform her that her fees, including meals, will be paid from this point on by the Babbling Brook Perpetuity Fund.” I rather liked the way the name rolled off my tongue.

  He sat back, resting his hand against his chin. Then he shook his head. “This is most irregular.”

  “It is, isn’t it? I rather like that aspect of it.” I sat back as well. “Now for another pressing matter. Eddie Colter. Have you fired him yet?”

  “What? No, of course not. Why would I?”

  “Because he knowingly and with intent gave me a drugged cream puff. And he entered my apartment without my permission and removed my painting from the wall, making it appear it was stolen.”

  “Do you have any proof of either of those allegations?”

  “I have a full confession from his accomplice.”

  “Yes. Edna Prisant. For all I know, she implicated Eddie to lessen her own punishment.”

  “You don’t intend to fire him?”

  “Without proof of any wrongdoing . . .” He shrugged
.

  I snapped my mouth shut and shook my head. “You do know that Eddie’s been stealing from his grocery customers? And when confronted about it, he claimed to have a daughter who has leukemia.”

  His expression was so shocked, I knew he had no idea what had been going on right under his nose.

  “I have affidavits from the people Eddie stole from. There’s your proof. And let’s not forget he assaulted Ms. Subramanian.”

  “As to that, it’s being litigated. I can’t take any action until the matter is resolved by the courts.”

  “There are still the affidavits.”

  “I haven’t seen them, have I? Besides, we have policies and procedures to follow before we can fire someone.”

  His attitude boggled my mind. But only briefly. “How about this for a procedure? Either you fire Eddie, or he resigns today and drops his suit against Ms. Subramanian, or I will call the Cincinnati Enquirer. I expect this is exactly the kind of juicy story one of their reporters would love to sink their teeth into.”

  I’d never seen someone blanch that way before. I confess it was most impressive.

  ~ ~ ~

  As we used to say, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. That has to be a very messy activity, not unlike what I was attempting.

  I left Mr. Souter’s office, still uncertain whether he would get rid of his nephew, and went searching for Eddie myself. I found him using the community computer.

  Entering the room, I closed the door and took a seat across from him. “I’m here to talk to you about the plot you and Edna hatched to steal my painting. I’d like you to explain your part in it.”

  He chewed on his lip for a time as if gauging my mood. Then he cleared his throat.

  “I . . . I’m very sorry for what happened, Mrs. Bartlett.”

  “And that was?” I said, prompting him as if he were a six-year-old just learning about apologies.

  “I’m sorry, for, uh, moving the painting. And the, uh, the other thing.”

  “Other thing?”

  “My lawyer told me not to talk about it.”

  “Yes. That’s usually excellent advice. However, right now what you need to do is convince me you’re sincerely sorry. Otherwise, I intend to press charges to the fullest extent possible.” Mac had told me any case against Eddie would be circumstantial, even with Edna’s testimony and mine, but I wasn’t letting uncertainty about specific details affect my ultimatum.

  He cocked his head, blinking. “You’re saying you might not press charges?”

  “I know Edna put the drugs in the cream puff. But you gave it to me, knowing it contained those drugs.”

  After a pause, he nodded. “We wanted to make sure you didn’t wake up. She told me the drug she was using was basically harmless.”

  “It’s rarely harmless to give someone a substance that renders them unconscious.”

  “Yes, ma’am. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry you did it, or sorry you were caught?”

  “Both, I guess.”

  “Hmm. Honesty. An interesting strategy for you. But I’m more concerned about your treatment of Ms. Subramanian than I am by what you did to me.”

  I gave him a moment to contemplate that before I said the rest.

  “I propose a trade. You drop the suit, resign your position here, apologize to those you’ve hurt, and I won’t press charges against you.”

  He chewed on his lip while I sat and watched.

  I stood. “Well, that’s that. I’ll be speaking with Detective McElroy about appropriate charges. And I will also be testifying in your suit. I doubt the jury will be swayed in your favor after learning you drugged me so you could steal my painting.”

  “But I didn’t steal your painting.”

  “Eddie, Eddie, this is not the time to contradict me on minor details.” I turned to leave.

  “Okay. Okay. I’ll resign.”

  “And drop the suit?”

  He nodded.

  “And apologize sincerely and comprehensively?”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed. He sighed. Then he nodded.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Devi

  The week after Thanksgiving was filled with surprises. The first was the discovery that Josephine was not pressing charges against Edna and that, further, Edna would soon sign a plea deal for the other thefts in return for a suspended sentence and community service.

  But the biggest surprise was that Edna qualified for an income-assistance plan and would continue to live at Brookside. Something I learned about from Candace.

  “I must say, it’s extremely odd. I had no idea we had a Babbling Brook Perpetuity Fund. But Calvin did say it was the result of a very recent bequest. Although, why it would go to Edna, of all people. Why, the woman’s a thief.”

  “Why does she need income assistance?”

  “Her son can’t afford the fees. He was all set to move her out when this other stuff happened. And I bet you haven’t heard the latest on Eddie, have you?” Candace continued.

  “No, I don’t believe so.”

  “He resigned this morning.”

  “Did he say why?”

  Candace cleared her throat and shifted her gaze away from mine. “Umm, yes. I believe he said he’d behaved badly toward several people.”

  “Big of him.”

  I wondered how Candace could be oblivious to the fact she’d acted badly toward me. Or maybe she wasn’t completely oblivious. She did unclench her lips and start to speak. However, all that came out was a nearly inaudible mutter about having an appointment before she departed abruptly. Since there was little to be gained from confronting her, I let her go.

  Shortly after that, Josephine called and asked me to come to the community room. I arrived there to find Josephine along with Lillian, Myrtle, Mac, Mr. Souter, and Eddie.

  The sight of Eddie made me hesitate until Josephine came over, took me by the hand, and whispered, “It’s all right. After all, I’m here, and so are Lill and Mac.”

  After we sat down, Josephine nodded at Eddie, who stood and cleared his throat before turning to me and delivering an apology, not only for the times he’d accosted me but also for suing me. Then he turned to Josephine and apologized for drugging her and for removing her picture. Finally, he apologized to Lill for also drugging her. He topped off the apologies by saying he intended to do better.

  As Eddie spoke, I glanced at Mac and Myrtle. Myrtle was chewing on her lip with an avid expression while Mac leaned against the wall, arms folded, looking thoughtful.

  “You still owe Myrtle an apology,” Josephine said when Eddie started to sit down.

  His expression turned to one of puzzlement.

  “She worked very hard raising money for Sara.”

  Incomprehension morphed into sheepishness. “I made it all up about Sara. I’m sorry.”

  “Well,” Myrtle said. “I must say I am most disappointed, young man, with what I’ve heard here this morning.”

  Eddie swallowed but said nothing.

  Mr. Souter cleared his throat. “I’ve accepted Eddie’s resignation. Effective immediately.”

  Throughout these exchanges, I no longer detected any of the arrogance Eddie had displayed in the past. Instead, I was certain if he’d had a tail, it would have been tucked firmly between his legs.

  But still I wondered. Was he truly sorry and did he intend to reform, or would he revert to his old ways as soon as he left the room? Of course, since he’d resigned, it would no longer matter to me personally.

  I let out a breath, relieved that my Eddie nightmare had come to an end.

  Mr. Souter stood and gestured for Eddie to follow him. With a last glance around, Eddie nodded, and the two left the room.

  “That’s certainly a relief,” Josephine said. “And now, Myrtle, Lill, I have another matter to discuss with you both.”

  The three walked out, leaving Mac and me looking uneasily at each other.

  He pushed away from the wall and cleared
his throat. “Congratulations on getting the suit dropped.”

  “Yes, that is good news, isn’t it? Well, I . . . ah . . . need to get going. I have a group ready to go to the mall.”

  I followed up on those words by walking out without looking back, even though I knew with all the Brookside matters settled so satisfactorily, it might be the last time I would see Mac.

  But it was the safest way forward, even if it made my heart hurt.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Mac

  As Devi walked out, I sighed. I’d once again proven to myself that although I might look mature, fast approaching middle age even, inside I was still a quivering mass of adolescent jelly.

  Josephine had set up the perfect opportunity for Devi and me to talk, free of any conflict of interest, and what did we do? We mumbled a few inane platitudes at each other and went our separate ways. For the last time. Unless one of us managed a breakthrough and reached out to the other.

  I no longer doubted there was something between us. An attraction, a pull, and yet Devi seemed even more determined than I was to avoid responding to it. And that was a puzzle. I knew my own reasons for resisting, even though I’d finally admitted the having-a-child issue was bogus, but I was curious about hers.

  I wondered, as I had previously, if she could be here illegally. I’d learned from her presence at Josephine’s table at Thanksgiving that, like me, she didn’t have family nearby. Were they as distant as India, then?

  My own family was scattered around northern Ohio, not all that distant. If I hadn’t needed to stick around for the ransom call, and dinner with Kate and Teddy, I could have easily made the drive to Toledo for Thanksgiving dinner with my parents and sibs.

  Devi had never mentioned her family. In fact, whenever our conversations turned to personal histories, the information she offered appeared to be carefully edited.

  For the first time in my career, I was tempted to run a background check on someone for personal reasons. An urge I intended to try very hard to resist.