Complicated Care (Blanche Binkley Book 2)

by Denise M. Hartman

  “Why would that matter? You live here, right? Aren’t you free to walk around? Explore a little?” Visually this place emanated beauty and luxury, but underneath the surface something reeked in paradise. It felt a bit as if everyone had lost their minds, but that was nonsense. Al would say she was the crazy one.

  “Maybe there’s things going on over there we aren’t suppose to know about,” Tonio said.

  He could just be looking for excitement in his pampered island rest home, Blanche thought. Al had accused her of that more than once in the condo.

  “What would that have to you with you and Edna getting drugged? So it’s not every day or at a certain time every day?” Blanche pursued the theme.

  “No, no, nothing like that. I have a theory.” Tonio leaned forward with some urgency as another nurse started out of the building towards them. “Señora Blanche, you aren’t staying on the island?” His tongue danced across his thin mustache.

  Blanche could tell he had something up his sleeve. They still hadn’t answered the question if he was all there in his mind. He could just be paranoid or like to drum up excitement. “No, why?”

  “Would you mind taking a letter to mail for me?” He slid a hand into his pocket, checked to see who was watching and his paranoia made Blanche glance around too. She saw Al taking a picture in a window. Talk about paparazzi.

  “I need this to be mailed from the outside.” He tucked the envelope into a side pocket of Blanche’s big pocketbook. Then gave her a wink of one of his almond shaped green-brown eyes.

  Blanche narrowed her eyes. “Uhh...”

  “I see you are a wise woman, and I won’t try to deceive you. It’s not safe for me if someone sees it came from Royale Cove. I’ve been waiting for a day trip visitor to come for some time.”

  “Won’t the day staff take things for you?”

  “It’s complicated and I need a neutral party, someone I can trust, to be sure my letter gets where it needs to go. Some of the staff have... agendas of their own.”

  He paused and scrutinized Blanche’s face. He reached up and touched a saint medal nested in the gray hair on his chest. “I assure you I am in my right mind and that this letter is important.” He leaned forward and grabbed Blanche’s knee making her jump. He glanced between her and Edna, “It’s a matter of life and death. Sí, muerte.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Blanche wanted to leave. Now. The atmosphere of fancy flowers and medical staff oppressed her. Like when you sit next to someone with too much perfume that cloys and chokes you. She didn’t want this to be real.

  Her orderly plan had been to just come along and get Edna out. Or at least challenge the Dragon and make sure the pills were fine. Edna was fine. Then go back to her safe condo world where no one did got drugged unintentionally.

  The Dragon could do her own searches for people. All that was probably out the window when Edna called for help Blanche admitted.

  Al shuffled over and said, “The nurse said lunch will be in a few minutes over there.” He seemed to be enjoying the excursion more than her.

  Edna introduced him and Antonio. They sized each other up like rivals. Men!

  “We could go out for lunch,” Blanche offered wanting to escape the Royale Cove Care Center for a little while to clear out the creeps crawling her spine.

  Antonio’s grimace showed a hint of a gold tooth deep in his mouth. “Residents have to be accompanied by an official guardian to leave. There’s only one restaurant on the island at the club house and you gotta be a card carrying member.” He sighed.

  Edna said, “So far the food here is actually pretty good.”

  Antonio agreed, “No complaints there.”

  “Is this when you’re drugged or not drugged?” Blanche snarked.

  “They’re not giving us pot,” Tonio said with a sly grin.

  Blanche realized she had to accept that this situation could not be resolved and checked off her list in one day.

  “What time’s the boat back, Al?” Maybe they could bail for now and eat on the mainland. She could figure this out later.

  He checked his watch. “First one is 3 p.m. and then every 40 minutes till 6 p.m. or so. Seems they clear the riffraff off the island in time for dinner.” He grinned too.

  She laughed in spite of herself and said, “Speak for yourself.”

  Blanche realized she must spend a few hours here before she could escape to the boat. She’d need to get her sense of humor back and see what she could find out. Use the time to her advantage somehow.

  Tonio seemed a melodramatic sort of guy so maybe she should take his life or death statements with a grain of salt, but if people were drugged not by accident something was genuinely fishy in Royale Cove.

  They convoyed into lunch behind Edna’s walker and Al’s canes.

  “Fancy set up,” Al commented seeing the china and linen tablecloths. Glass windows along one wall looked out to the garden courtyards. It was lovely, Blanche conceded. The food didn’t even smell institutional. Several less mobile people had been placed at tables in wheelchairs already.

  Antonio ordered a bottle of wine from a steward. “That included?” Al wanted to know.

  “I’ll put it on my tab and my brother will pay it. He stuck me in here. For my own good, he said. More like his own good. Cabron. So if I add a few items to the bill,” he shrugged expressively, “He’d have to call me if he was going to complain.”

  AnaRosa pushed a loaded cart down the isle toward them. Blanche jumped up and met her a few feet away from their lunch table.

  “Hola.” AnaRosa’s lipstick remained nicely in place. Blanche admired that.

  “Hello, Ana.” Blanche lowered her voice and asked, “Is this man, Antonio, okay?”

  Blanche could see AnaRosa wasn’t sure what she meant, but she absolutely could not gesture to her temple making the crazy sign. That would be so obvious. “Is he right in the head?” He’d talked Blanche out of her address and phone number too, so she hoped he wasn’t cuckoo as Edna would say.

  At this AnaRosa’s face spread into a broad smile. “Yes, he’s one of the good ones who makes it more fun to work here.” Her eyes swept the people nearby and she whispered, “They say he was part of one of the the sindicatos Cubanos, but he’s so nice.” She laughed, “I don’t think it’s true.”

  Someone called to AnaRosa and she went to do her work. Blanche sat down to study Antonio anew. He enjoyed playing host and pouring the wine. He hadn’t looked again at the life and death envelope or her purse. If he was really in a syndicate, that made the envelope a little more interesting and maybe a bit sinister. It was absurd. She shook her high head of hair.

  Boy, she wanted to get a look inside that envelope.

  Al and Tonio warmed up to one another over the drinks and big homemade rolls that nested in a basket on the table.

  While the others were distracted, Blanche quizzed Edna as quietly as you can quiz a hard of hearing person. “Edna, on a scale of one to 10, how bad is the drug thing?”

  Edna buttered her roll. “Sleeping like the dead isn’t so bad. I haven’t slept like that in years. But it leaves me dopey and it’s later afternoon before I think to see if I was robbed, but by then it could have been anybody. Shifts have changed and they could have caught the boat and be long gone...”

  “Is theft serious? In such a posh place?”

  “Actually I hear there’s a guard that checks all the bags going out each day, but every time I’m drugged my cash is diminished. Not all gone mind you, just enough so maybe you think you forgot. I don’t forget! RCCC is suppose to have lower theft rates than most old age homes on account of the island and the bag checks. If you were down and out for the count on the drugs, and no alarm was given, your rings or small things could have traveled out tucked deep in a bag before you could say jack squat. And if they keep the quantities of cash low there’s no proving it’s not their own money.”

  “You’ve had cash and your notebook disappear then?”
>
  Edna gave a shrug of her rounded shoulders. “Yeah, I think small stuff that doesn’t have major value goes fast around here. What you gonna do? We can’t exactly get up and leave. People ought keep their hands to theirselves. It’s not right.”

  Blanche agreed with that. She noticed the crime television star across the room holding audience at a table of elderly men. She leaned her head backed in an exaggerated laugh.

  A Robert Redford look alike walked by with a tiny redheaded lady on his arm and took a seat at a table for two. Good grief, it might be the real guy. In spite of herself, Blanche patted her high hair-do and smoothed her blouse. She liked making a good impression even if she wasn’t in the market for a man. Harry and she had endured, so no need to open up another can of worms.

  The dining room staff of foreigners professionally settled plates of fish or chicken in front of everyone. So Blanche couldn’t ask Tonio about his envelope or his theory. She’d tried and he’d given a secret sign.

  A tall bald man came into the room and Blanche noticed the staff all scattered busily.

  Blanche saw his thinness matched his tallness as he approached their table and introduced himself, “Hi. Bruce,” he extended a hand, “I’m head of Royale Cove.”

  Blanche shook the hand and exchanged a look with Edna as Bruce turned to shake hands with Al. He greeted Antonio like an old friend.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t gotten to talk with you sooner this morning. I had some issues to attend to.” He ran a pale hand over an equally pale and shiny head. People in Florida should not be that pale, Blanche thought.

  “I’m going to give you a tour of our facilities and a welcome gift after lunch. We don’t normally neglect people, leaving you to wander by yourselves.” His teeth were unnaturally straight. They reminded Blanche of a movie star smile or maybe it was just the talk of the rich and famous.

  “That’s so kind.” Blanche said equally magnanimous, “But we are just here to visit with Edna. No need to bother you with a tour.”

  Bruce smiled, “No, we want to do this for you. It will be my pleasure.”

  Bruce left and ordered the staff around before Blanche could say more. The staff looked lively as he went and stationed himself at the door.

  “Guess we’re not flying under the radar anymore,” Blanche said.

  “The watcher,” Antonio said.

  “What’s that mean?” Edna asked.

  “Our man, Bruce the Bald, is in charge of everyone here. The staff are quite nervous of him,” Tonio said.

  Al laughed. “They can twist my arm all they want. I don’t have money for this place even if I wanted in.”

  Edna said, “His assistant was all peaches and cream and fun when we toured and Bruce did the signing on the dotted line with my daughter.”

  Blanche watched Bruce at the door. She didn’t like her independent movement interfered with, but maybe they could use the tour to learn something.

  Blanche wanted to get to business if she had to be here. “Antonio, so what about the drugged episodes? Just a drug mix up maybe? It’s bound to happen in a place with so many people.”

  He forked a bite of fish. “The, ah, how do you say, day help? The staff turn over maybe 90 percent every few months. You could bet some serious mistakes do get made. They aren’t paid enough to care. Bruce only cares about impressions, not true quality. I’m on the same hall as Edna. Maybe, there’s someone making a mistake regularly? Or maybe they don’t want us to see something?” He concentrated on his peas.

  “But what’s to see?” Al asked cutting his food. “One more oldie in their slippers on their way to bed?”

  The smell of Edna’s fish put Blanche off her chicken, and she put her fork down.

  “Beyond the dementia wing,” Tonio indicated the wing on the other side of the country yard with his pinky ringed finger, “we find Unit 2. This is where secret face lifts take place, far from the public eye. They think we don’t know.” He patted his thin mustache with a linen napkin.

  Edna looked out. “They never mentioned that.” She turned back, “But even if it’s secret face lifts like you think, who cares?” Edna asked.

  “Ahh, a little snip, snip. Old father time’s still going to get you. They do that work all over Boca though.” Al’s tanned cheeks reddened with the wine.

  “The press cares,” Tonio said with a knowing raise of a still dark eyebrow.

  “They aren’t here. They can’t get here without a pass on a special boat.” Blanche noted. Again she wondered about the Dragon’s motives.

  “Thus the reason the rich and famous come to Royale Cove.”

  Somebody at the other end of the room started choking until it drew attention and finally medical attention. Eventually, the Royale Cove Care patron went out on a stretcher.

  After that unsettling event, dessert didn’t appeal to Blanche. It unnerved her being where anyone could drop dead at any moment. Sure it was always true everywhere really, but you try not to think about it. She knew you needed to be ready to meet God every day though.

  “What do they do with them out here? Is there a hospital?” Al asked looking sober.

  “Health wing.” Edna said.

  “They can do everything an emergency room can and then some. Then they call the helicopter,” Tonio added.

  Bread pudding with custard sauce tried to comfort her. Blanche wanted order and clarity. She’d have to settle for calories and food comfort. The custard was rich and creamy with a hint of orange liquor.

  Blanche said, “I have to tell you, I don’t know if I’m buying this subterfuge of Unit 2. I’m more interested in the drug thing.”

  Tonio said, “I see you are a woman of strong character and intuition. ¿Por qué no? Let’s take a walk after lunch. I want you to see the security as you get near Unit 2.”

  “We’ve got our date with Bruce.”

  Antonio looked around and saw Bruce at the door.

  “I used to be in security,” Al announced with a hiccup. Blanche hoped he could negotiate his canes still, but he seemed to be a pro with them.

  This caught Antonio’s attention, “What kind?”

  “Oh do tell.” Blanche grinned at Al since she’d never gotten the details of his career “in security” out of him, speaking of secrets.

  He gave a shy smile and tap danced his fishing hat on his head a bit. “Civilian.”

  “That’s a comfort then.” Blanche gave him a wry smile.

  Edna asked Blanche what these guys were talking about. Blanche took a gulp of wine and said, “Egos. I think.”

  The sound of a helicopter landing nearby could be heard in the dining room. Bruce ducked out.

  “He’s going to meet the chopper. Now’s our chance.” Tonio downed his wine and shooed them up and out.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Their odd crew with wheels, canes, pocketbook, and fishing hat set off for a tour of Edna’s room and Tonio’s as these would lead them closer to Unit 2 and the scene of the drug episodes.

  The carpet in each wing sported different patterns. Each resident had a nice plaque outside the door with their last name designating their side of the room. Blanche had to admit it was a decent set up as these things went, in spite of her prejudices against old age dungeons.

  “You could sure find who you’re looking for without much trouble,” Al said.

  “Sí.” Tonio and Al finally agreed on something.

  Edna’s side of the room demurred in a pale pink. One of those scrolly messages on the wall said “Mother of my heart.”

  “Sappy,” was Al’s diagnosis.

  “Yeah, well not my pick. My daughter did that.” Edna snorted.

  “The Dragon?” The sentimental exhibition surprised Blanche.

  “The one and only. I’m surprised she didn’t put Mommy dearest, but she likes to keep up appearances. I can’t wait till her kids put her in a home. I’ll be laughing so loud in my grave, I’ll scare the groundskeepers.”

  The white wicker furniture r
ounded out the magazine appearance of the room and a pretty blanket did duty disguising the hospital bed the inmates used like it or not.

  “You couldn’t fight her on the move here?” Blanche wondered.

  “You’ve clearly never tried to outwit or out argue my daughter. I’m at a greater disadvantage than most since she knows all my buttons and pushes them to get me in line. She’s my kid still for all the challenges and I always give in just wanting her to be happy.” Edna let out a big sigh and adjusted the glasses that enlarged her dark eyes.

  Blanche leaned to peek around to the other side. The mysterious roommate. A small hispanic woman faced the windows. Why was the Dragon so worried about who shared space with Edna if they only let the creme de la creme in here?

  Antonio called out behind Blanche. The tiny woman jumped from her chair and faced Blanche. Fire and anger shot from her eyes. She shouted something in Spanish that of course Blanche didn’t get. Then yelled in heavily accented English at Blanche, “Get out! Get out!”

  Yikes. Blanche eased out. So much for getting to know the suite mate. That was going to be a hard sell.

  Antonio led the way toward his room which was kitty-corner down the hall.

  “What was that about?” Blanche wanted to know.

  Edna nodded her head. “First time I’ve heard her say anything since I moved in. Other than all the crying in the night.”

  They passed a double door in the hall which could easily be mistaken for a fire exit.

  “The woman has been quite angry with me for some months now and I don’t understand why,” Antonio answered.

  “Who is she?” Blanche asked

  “Was she? Remember we are all stuck in here now. She was a famous singer in Cuba and later in Miami. Ah, Lolita.”

  “And?” Edna said. “You must have history. No one is that angry for nothing.”

  Tonio smiled but it didn’t come to his eyes. “We had a moment many, many years ago. But now I think she is losing her mind. She keeps yelling at me about the abuse and that I’m not listening to her. I haven’t gone near her since she came here other than a friendly greeting at first. I don’t know what’s wrong.”