Deception Trail: A Maggie McFarlin Mystery

by Charisse Peeler

  “She is 92, but she is still pretty independent,” Mike said.

  “That’s great to hear. We have plenty of activities for our residents. Does she play cards? We have a group that plays hearts or canasta?”

  “I think she plays hearts,” Mike said.

  “That’s great,” Kevin smiled wide. Maggie could see why Sharron was so taken with him. Maybe he really was just trying to help the residence when he went into the business with Chase.

  “The only thing is that she doesn’t cook for herself,” Maggie said even though she didn’t really know Aunt Millie that well but wanted to be part of the conversation.

  “We offer all levels of service. For those residents who can’t cook...”

  “Sorry,” Maggie interrupted Kevin. “It’s not that she can’t cook. She just doesn’t want to cook.”

  “That’s no problem either,” he nodded his head. “We offer a full buffet for lunch and dinner at our more informal dining hall called the Cantina and we also provide a sit-down option in the Orca Dining Room. We have a full-time chef who won that show... Gosh, I can’t remember the name of the show.”

  “Top Chef?” Maggie asked.

  “I think that’s it. You can read his bio in the literature in the folder. I also forgot to mention; we do offer home delivery for our residents who are limited in their mobility or just don’t feel like leaving their apartments that day.”

  “Can I live here?” Maggie asked.

  “We are a 55 and older community, so you might have to wait a few years, but we would love to have you,” Kevin winked at her.

  “It sounds great,” Mike rolled his eyes.

  “Would you like a tour?” Kevin stood ready to sell the place. Maggie wondered if he worked on commission.

  “I would love to see the property,” Maggie said, standing signaling Mike also to stand.

  “Great, I could talk your ear off all day, but the property sells itself.” Kevin went to the door and held it. “Please,” he said, moving aside. He then flipped the open sign to a side that said Back in 15 minutes It also had a cell phone number. He locked the door and checked the handle to ensure it was secure before taking the lead down the manicured path.

  This guy was fit. He obviously spent time in the gym. Maggie imagined he belonged on a tennis court instead of behind a desk.

  “We have a full-sized theater with a new movie every week, bingo on Thursday nights, and a monthly mixer.” Kevin pointed to a large building behind them. Still, they continued to walk on the manicured path until they came to a building with several round tables under umbrellas and a coffee stand where he paused, turning to Mike and Maggie.

  “Would you like a latte?” he asked.

  Maggie and Mike both shook their head as Kevin opened the door and stood aside.

  “After you,” he said as they entered what looked like a cafeteria-style room. “This is our Cantina; it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is a limited menu between mealtimes. Each night it themed, Taco Tuesday, Fish Friday, etc.”

  There was a long-serving station complete with plexiglass barriers, a salad bar in the center of the room and a soft-serve machine by the exit door. Two older gentlemen were sitting at one of the round tables with coffee and newspapers open in front of them.

  “Very nice,” Maggie said, looking around.

  “You said your aunt was independent. Do you think this would be something she would be able to take advantage of?”

  “She would probably prefer the sit-down type of dining experience,” Mike said.

  “Great, let's continue,” Kevin said, leading them through the cafeteria, greeting the two older gentlemen before exiting the farthest door that opened into a large courtyard with wooden benches set along the pathways. There was a pretty good-sized pond in the center, complete with sizeable colorful koi. It looked like a Japanese themed park with bonsai trimmed trees.

  “This is beautiful,” Maggie said.

  “Thank you,” Kevin said. “We are pretty proud of our little piece of paradise.”

  They finally arrived at a building with a giant Orca whale carved in the exterior wall above a set of double doors. When they walked into the space, it looked like a 5-star dining room. There was a now vacant hostess station at the entrance and the dining tables were already set up for the evening meal, covered in white tablecloths and was set for a formal dining experience.

  “We do require reservations for the Orca and have a dress code, but it is quite popular with our residents.” He picked up a menu from the hostess stand and handed it to Mike.

  “It seems expensive,” Mike said, opening the menu scanning it for prices. The prices ranged from $25 to $50.

  “We do cater to a certain level of resident here at Silver Hills. Most of these people are retired professionals and expect a certain level of service and don’t mind paying for it.”

  Kevin walked them through the library, the card room, and the ballroom before arriving back at his office. He unlocked his office and held the door.

  “So, what did you think?” he asked. “Would your aunt fit into our community?”

  “I think she would love it,” Mike said, taking a seat next to Maggie.

  Kevin opened the colorful glossy folder he had placed in front of them previously. There were glossy prints of all the places they had visited, example menus and key personnel resumes, including the chef.

  “On one side is the information all about the community and on the other side, there are a price list and an application. We do require background checks and credit checks for the safety and security of our community.”

  Mike flipped through the folder and located the pricing sheets. He pulled in out and slid it over enough that Maggie could see. It was $2,500 a month for a one-bedroom and $3,500 for a two-bedroom. Some of the additional costs were $125 a month for a covered parking spot, $200 a month for a pet, and $560 a month for a meal plan. The next page was the premium units and they started at $10,000 a month. Mike sat back and crossed his arms.

  “Do you have any questions?” Kevin asked, looking between Mike and Maggie.

  “One thing I worry about is an outbreak of the flu or some other virus. My aunt currently lives in her own space and I worry about a close community setting. Have you had any history with an outbreak of any kind in this community?”

  “I’m so glad you asked,” he said. “We do offer vaccines here on site for a very reasonable price.”

  Mike opened his mouth to ask his next question when the office door swung open.

  “Oh boy,” Maggie said out loud.

  Sharron stood in the doorway, frozen mid-stride. She looked at Maggie and then at Mike and back to Maggie. Maggie’s eyes were begging Sharron not to give them away, but she didn’t get the message; instead walked over to Kevin, handed him an envelope and finally asked, “What are you two doing here?”

  “Kevin accepted the envelope from Sharron and sat looking at the two people in front of him. It was apparent he was considering if they were legitimate.

  Sharron looked back at Maggie and Mike and just shook her head as she left the office, shaking her head the whole time.

  Kevin slipped the envelope into the top drawer of his desk but didn’t stand. He kept his eyes focused on Mike and Maggie.

  “How do you know Mrs. Dawson?” he finally asked.

  “She is the one who recommended the place,” Mike said.

  “I think you two need to leave,” Kevin narrowed his eyes.

  Maggie stood, but Mike stayed seated. “So how much for the vaccine?” he asked.

  “You need to go,” Kevin said, pointing at the door.

  Mike stood and followed Maggie out the door backing out not to turn his back to Kevin. As soon as they were out the door, Kevin locked it shut behind them and picked up his phone.

  “That didn’t go as planned,” Mike said, still holding the folder he took as they left the office.

  “At least we know he still has the vaccine,
and it might be somewhere at that storage place,” Maggie said.

  “What worries me is that he now knows we are on to him and he might move it.”

  “But he doesn’t know who we are,” Maggie said.

  “He will as so as he calls Sharron. She will have to tell him.”

  “Do you think he has another partner now that Chase is dead?”

  “I think he has enough vaccine to last forever,” Mike said, “but fortunately, it probably doesn’t last forever; there is an expiration date, plus these are usually specific for a certain strain of flu.”

  “I have a way to find out if there was anyone else that has been talking to him, at least someone from the Logistics Center.” Maggie took out her phone and called Kat.

  “Can you look at the phone records for the whole department?” She opened the folder Kevin had given them and read off the director’s phone number and then said goodbye and hung up the phone.

  “She will call us back in a few minutes,” Maggie said. “If there is someone else involved in this mess, they may have reached out to Kevin.”

  “I wish we could get into his office. If we had a list of residents that received the vaccine.”

  “Why don’t we do a stakeout and follow him around?”

  “The problem now is that we tipped our hat, and he is suspicious, so if he is smart, he will lay low for a while. He might even warn his partner and we lose our lead.”

  “So, now what?” Maggie asked, just as her phone rang. She answered it and held up a finger to Mike, “no way…okay, when did it start…I don’t even know what to say…okay, talk. To you later.” Maggie hung up the phone and tucked it into the front pocket of her pocketbook.

  “So?”

  “You are not going to believe this. The day after Chase died, multiple calls were made to Kevin’s number. The last one just yesterday.”

  “So, he is still communicating with someone.”

  “I know who that someone is,” Maggie said.

  “The calls were all made from Sue’s desk.”

  “Sue? Your friend with the broken hand?”

  “Yes, that Sue. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Are you thinking Sue is a suspect?”

  “I can’t imagine Sue had anything to do with Chase’s murder, but she is definitely hiding something.”

  “You know her better than anyone. Maybe someone was using her phone.”

  Maggie looked at her watch, “I need to go, or I will be late for the baby shower.”

  Chapter 15

  Maggie was supposed to show up early to help decorate for Liza’s baby shower, but she had to stop and buy a card and print out the certificate for the diaper service she was giving Liza as her gift. She was a few minutes late, but no-one noticed. The house was busy with activity. There were a full of a contingent of women busy hanging decorations. The cake had already been delivered and a local caterer was setting up lunch, so Maggie just blended in, she took over setting up a table for gifts and uncorking the wine at the bar.

  Liza spotted her sister and rushed over.

  “It is so nice that you are here,” Liza said, air-kissing each side of Maggie’s face.

  “Of course,” Maggie smiled at her little sister. “You sure put this thing together fast.”

  “I know, but I wanted to wait until I found out if it was a boy or girl and now, we know.”

  “What would you like me to do now?” Maggie asked.

  “Can you greet everyone as they arrive?”

  “I can do that,” Maggie smiled as her sister rushed off.

  One by one, the guests arrived, and Maggie greeted each one, introducing herself as Liza’s sister. It was no surprise; many of the guests had no idea Liza even had a sister.

  Finally, two familiar faces, Sue and Kat, walked through the door.

  “Thank God you’re here,” Maggie said to the two women hugging each one almost too tightly.

  “Of course,” Sue said. “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  “Plus, we figured you needed back-up,” Kat added. “However, I hope you don’t mind when I disappear during the stupid baby shower games. I have no interest in eating a Snickers bar out of a diaper.”

  “Ooooh. They don’t do that, do they?” Maggie squished her face.

  “Sometimes,” Sue nodded her head, looking around, “Liza is sure excited about this baby.”

  “She sure is,” Maggie said, “I honestly never saw Liza as the motherly type, but people change. She seems good with the dogs, I mean, it’s not the same thing, but she does seem to care about them. I wonder where they are now.”

  “Doggy Day Care,” Kat said. “I came by early this morning and took them.”

  “I can’t wait to hold the baby,” Sue said.” I miss that new baby smell.”

  “Are you staying until the baby is born?” Kat asked Maggie.

  “Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it. Probably not, but I will come back when she is born.”

  “Wait until you see what I got her,” Sue said. “She is going to love it.”

  “What is it?” Maggie asked.

  “Hand-smocked baby girl dresses. I got them from my favorite online store.”

  “I can’t wait to see them,” Maggie said.

  “Attention everyone. Lunch is served. Please help yourselves,” Liza announced from the kitchen door.

  “Do you know any of these women?” Maggie whispered to Sue as they stood aside, watching the women file into the kitchen.

  “I recognize some of them,” she said, looking around, “but more importantly, do you know who is not here?”

  “Who?” Maggie asked.

  “Angel, the surrogate,” Sue said.

  “I’m not sure that would have been appropriate,” Maggie said.

  “You know who else is not here?” Kat asked, not waiting for the answer. “Sharron, Chase’s mother.”

  “That’s weird,” Sue said.

  “Why would that be weird? There is no love-loss there, I’m pretty sure,” Maggie said.

  “According to my friend Cynthia, over there,” Sue pointed to a woman about their age, “Liza has been to visit Sharron over at Silver Hills a lot lately. Cynthia’s mom and Sharron play Canasta several times a week. She said that Sharron doesn’t like Liza, but she adheres to the philosophy to keep your enemies close.”

  “Did she say why she was visiting?” Maggie asked, wondering why Sharron failed to mention this to her.

  “No, not really, but she started visiting her a few months before Chase died. According to Cynthia, Sharron says it is not even Chase’s baby. She said he had a vasectomy.”

  “It sounds like a soap opera if you ask me,” Kat said.

  “I saw Sharron this morning and she told me the same thing,” Maggie looked around to make sure no one could hear, “Liza has no idea.” Maggie decided to keep the rest of the information private since she wasn’t sure about Sue’s involvement.

  “Let’s eat. I’m starved,” Kat said, recognizing Maggie’s hesitance.

  The three women took their turns through the lunch offerings. Maggie took a cucumber sandwich and some smoked salmon on toast and was surprised to see an excellent presentation of Caviar.

  “I thought your sister was out of money?” Kat whispered to Maggie as she took a healthy scoop of the Caviar.

  “Apparently not,” Maggie raised one eyebrow.

  The rented chairs were arranged throughout the room. The three women found empty seats at the edge of the crowd. It was the perfect spot to listen to the lady’s gossip. They talked about work, babies and a few quiet mentions of Chase’s murder. One of the women said she thought Liza was guilty. Maggie strained to hear the reason why the woman thought that when Liza’s loud voice called for their attention.

  “Okay, everyone, we are going to start the games,” Liza announced.

  “That’s my cue,” Kat said, “I’ll be back in a while.” Maggie and Sue smiled at each other as Kat slipped out the front door.r />
  “The first game requires a team of two,” Liza announced.

  “That’s us,” Sue said.

  “Each team grab a balloon from one of the balloon bouquets around the room, One balloon per team.”

  Maggie retrieved one of the pink balloons, floating around the group when someone let the whole bouquet loose.

  “Now grab a diaper and two pins,” Liza passed the stack of cloth diapers to the nearest guest, who took one and handed it back.

  “The first team to successfully diaper the balloon wins a bottle of Camus Cabernet,” Liza held up the $100 bottle of wine. Maggie shook her head but was now determined to win. Camus was one of her absolute favorite wines.

  “I’ve done this one before,” Sue said. “You hold the balloon, and I will diaper it.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Maggie said before Liza announced they would be performing the task, blindfolded.

  Maggie thought she would be smart and tied the ribbon attached to the balloon around her wrist just in case it got out of her hands,

  “You sure you got this?” Maggie asked Sue.

  Sue nodded her head, enthusiastically.

  “Okay, Ladies, put your mask on,” Liza said. “Ready…set…go!”

  Maggie held the balloon down with one hand and held the diaper in place while Sue attempted to pin it. But after stabbing Maggie twice, Sue poked the balloon and finally, it exploded, causing both women to scream.

  Maggie and Sue removed their masks and watched the remaining contestants, one by one having the same results as Maggie and Sue.

  “I’m sorry,” Sue said.

  “It’s okay. You had a disadvantage with that cast on your hand,” Maggie said.

  Finally, two teams were successful, but one team was declared the winner as they finished first. Liza handed each of the winning team a bottle of the expensive wine.

  “She is definitely not out of money,” Sue whispered to Maggie who was shaking her head.

  The next game was a memory game. Each guest had to examine a tray full of baby items for five minutes and then after it was covered up, they had to recall and write down the items. Maggie knew she would fail at this game, not only because of her horrible memory, but she also had no idea what some of the items even were. It had been too many years since she had babies and obviously, things had changed. Sue on the other hand, was busy writing everything down. She had an advantage as she had five grandchildren.