Hudson House Murders [Book 4 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries]

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Hudson House Murders [Book 4 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] Page 13

by Janet Lane-Walters

"I'm glad you resisted. Word would have spread and spooked the killer. We need to know who."

  She heaved a sigh. “The other thing. I spoke to Tom, Dr. Bragg. He said the only call he received the evening your friend died was for the code."

  "I feared as much.” His words confirmed the charted material, not what I'd been told.

  Pauline moved away. “I'm going to buy some plants and spend the afternoon grubbing in the earth. Kate, this frustrates me and makes me want to attack someone."

  "Me, too. Enjoy your plants.” I returned to my duties.

  By three, we had sold nearly everything. The cleaning crew arrived. I carried the cake home. Beth, Pete and Robby provided the ride.

  Robby had a bag and a plant he gave his mother. He gave Pete a key chain that said “Dad.” Then he handed me the bag. Inside was a small ceramic cat.

  I looked at Pete. “Told you he'd surprise you."

  Pete laughed. “You win, Sherlock."

  At the house, Robby bounded from the car and ran across the lawn. “Can I have a piece of cake, please?"

  Richard dashed down the steps. “You mean I won."

  I laughed. “Actually, Jenna did."

  He turned to her. “Will you share?"

  "I'll consider the possibility.’ Jenna waved to Pete and Beth. “Come and join us."

  Richard pouted. “Why?"

  "It's good to share.” Jenna took his head. “I'll start the coffee and we'll have a party with my cake."

  "If someone will get the grill and charcoal from the shed, I've hot dogs, potato salad and veggies upstairs,” I said.

  "Give me the keys.” Pete looked at Jenna. “How many chances did you buy?"

  "One,” she said.

  As we scattered to prepare the impromptu party, Richard groaned. I patted his arm. “Went to a good cause."

  * * * *

  On Sunday when I arrived at Hudson House, I learned there'd been a death on Saturday. I felt sick. Had I been too late? Was my theory wrong? I believed Molly and Teresa had to be on duty for one or both to act. Teresa had been off. My hands shook. “Who died?"

  "A Mrs. Ritor,” the day nurse said.

  "I didn't know her."

  The nurse looked up from her notes. “No reason why you should. She arrived yesterday morning. She was Hospice, but her family panicked and took her to the hospital. At the family's request, she was transferred here."

  "Molly was furious,” Teresa said.

  I turned to my co-worker. “Weren't you off?"

  Teresa made a face. “She called me at home. When there's a death, she freaks and lets me handle matters. I told her to stop being foolish. The woman hadn't been here long enough to become one of Molly's pets."

  "I never noticed her giving special attention to anyone."

  Teresa shrugged. “I don't mean she neglects anyone, but there's always one or two she gives special care. Fusses over them. Does favors. Spends time with family members."

  "Does she accept gifts from them?"

  "If she does, she never told me. She's one for making the residents as comfortable as possible during their last days. Molly looks on her work here as more than a job. She says it's her calling.” She turned to the day nurse. “On with report."

  When report ended, I walked to the door. What did Molly mean by a calling? Had the people on the list been her pets? I looked at Teresa. “Let's go give out assignments."

  "Good idea.” Teresa walked with me to the elevator. “I still can't figure why you're working. The other day, someone mentioned your son's a doctor."

  "He is. A psychiatrist."

  "If you need money, why doesn't he give you what you need? Surely you helped him through school."

  "Pride. Mine."

  "That's a foolish attitude. I say take what you can wherever you find it.” She pressed the button and we entered the cage.

  My thoughts whirled. I was ninety percent convinced Molly was the killer and that she acted alone. Teresa's statement raised doubts.

  Could the aides give me clues? I followed Teresa into the lounge where the aides waited for report. As I studied the women, I decided Betty would be my best source of information.

  The two of us went to turn and do range of motion exercises with the patients who spent most of their time in bed. Betty stared at me, then grinned. “Finally figured who you are. You kept the police from arresting my mama's cousin's boy. She says you've got a great curiosity and won't put up with injustice."

  Did she suspect I had a purpose in working here? Would she blow my cover? I smiled. “She's right about my nature."

  "What would you like to know?"

  "Teresa mentioned Molly had favorites among the patients."

  Betty nodded. “And woe to us if we didn't take good care of them. Funny thing thought. They all die."

  Rather than meet her gaze, I stared at the wall. “What about Teresa?"

  Betty laughed. “She's gruff and no nonsense, but she treats all the patients the same."

  "Was Mrs. Garner one of Molly's favorites?"

  "Not at first. Then just before she died, Molly turned all sweet and did most of Mrs. Garner's care."

  "Do the patients or their families give Molly gifts?"

  She frowned. “Not that I've seen. John might know. He and Molly were kinda tight when she first came. They went out after work for a month or so."

  I asked no more questions. Though I wanted to talk to John, he wasn't on duty this evening. He was on tomorrow, but I was off. I feared it would be too late by the time I cornered him. Especially after I saw Mr. Greene's edema and listened to his breathing. When I caught up with Teresa, I would ask her opinion, but I believed the doctor should be called. When I read the chart, I read the doctor's note and saw that a diuretic had been given intramuscularly. How effective had it been?

  I saw Teresa in the hall and mentioned my concerns about Mr. Greene's condition. “If he's not improved by the time our shift ends, I'll give him a call.” She shook her head. “Poor man. I just hate to bother him even though he lives on the grounds."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 10

  ~

  Relapse

  -

  On Monday morning I left the house determined to speak to Pete. I strode down the street to his house. As I opened the gate of his yard, he stepped onto the porch with a green garbage bag over his shoulder. “Morning,” he said.

  "Do you have time to talk?"

  "About?"

  "What you call my obsession. A crime in the making. A serial killer working for pay."

  He dumped the sack in the car. “Are you still fretting about evil doings at Hudson House? If what you believe is true, surely someone would have noticed."

  "Perhaps. I've uncovered a ton of what you would call circumstantial evidence. I'd like to run it past you."

  He groaned. “Anything to ease your mind. Meet you at the house in ten minutes. Have to tell Beth not to make breakfast."

  "She's off?"

  He nodded. “Comp time."

  "Let her know I'll feed you.” I hurried home. If only I had the chemist's report on the substitute pill. As I entered the apartment, the phone rang. I lifted the receiver. “Miller residence."

  "Kate,” Pauline said.

  We're too late was my first thought. But how and when? Mr. Greene had been fine when I left. “What happened?"

  "Not that. I hate to do this last minute, but could you work this evening? Molly called in sick. She'll work Wednesday for you."

  'I'll be there. Maybe by tomorrow, we'll know about those pills."

  She sighed. “I hope so. We can't sit on our suspicions much longer. We can't let this monster strike again."

  "I know.” Robespierre pushed through the cat door and I knew Pete was on his way. “I'll be speaking to my police officer friend. Maybe he can tell me what we should do next. See you in time for report."

  With Robespierre assaulting my legs, I opened the door for Pete and managed not to t
rip over the cat. “You've a bad habit.” I grabbed the box of dried food and spilled some in his dish.

  "Who me?” Pete asked.

  "The cat."

  Pete chuckled. “And his bad habits have become yours."

  "Sit.” I filled two mugs with tea and popped two cinnamon pecan rolls in the microwave, then scrambled eggs with ham, cheese, scallions and mushrooms.

  When the plates were on the table, Pete picked up his fork. “Okay, Sherlock, let's hear the evidence."

  I sat across the table and sipped the tea. His voice dripped with disbelief. I was tempted to scream. “There'll be another murder soon. Here's what I've learned.” I laid out the data Pauline and I had gleaned from the charts and the information Richard had produced about the wills and heirs.

  Pete heaved a sigh. “I can see what you're getting at, but there's no way we can act on this without a formal complaint from a close family member. We just don't dig up bodies on a whim."

  While I didn't want to pit Jenna against Marcus, she would be willing. If I couldn't learn more, I might ask her to step in. “There's more. I have a good idea who's next.” I told him about the dispute between Mr. Greene's children. Then I mentioned the medicine switch.

  "Why does that bother you?” he asked.

  "Because of the increased edema. Just like Martha. Pauline took one of his pills to a pharmacist. It wasn't a diuretic so my friend decided to send it to a chemist for analysis."

  He finished his eggs and cut the cinnamon roll. “That's a real fact, but I wonder who stocks the cart. Could be whoever does that is ripping off the patients."

  "I suppose so, but that's not my take on the situation."

  "You can't mold the facts to fit a theory.” Pete looked at the list. “Do you realize these names belong to the county's “best” families? Can you picture the chief acting without solid evidence?"

  My sigh held pure exasperation. “What would it take? Do I have to catch the killer in the middle of the action?"

  "That would do it, but don't."

  I stared at my hands. If that was what it took to make to make the police act, I would. I glanced at the clock. “You'd better move. I don't want to make you late for work."

  He covered my hand with his. “Tell you what. I'll run this by my partner and see what Dave thinks."

  "Do that."

  He pushed out of the chair. “In the meantime, keep looking and listening. And do not do anything foolish."

  "Foolish isn't my way."

  He paused at the door. “Depends on what you consider foolish. Acting on a whim is just that."

  This was no whim, but I'm sure he wouldn't agree.

  After he left, I cleared the table and started the dishwasher. Molly and Teresa wouldn't be working together until Wednesday. Tonight I would scout out a hiding place in Mr. Greene's room and be waiting to prevent his death. With Pauline's help, I believed I could succeed.

  * * * *

  At a little after two, I reached Hudson House and went to Pauline's office. The secretary frowned. “You're early. She's making rounds."

  "I'll wait. There's something I need to discuss with her.” I entered the inner room and took a seat.

  A short time later, Pauline arrived. She closed the door. “What did your friend say?"

  "About what I expected. With no solid proof, there's nothing we can do. I could ask Martha's granddaughter to go to the police, but that would put her in an awkward position, especially when she didn't say anything right after the death."

  "Kate, what are we going to do?"

  I handed her the packet of information I'd gathered. “First, you can make copies of these and put them in your safe. Then I'll find a way to protect Mr. Greene."

  "Did your friend have any suggestions?"

  I shook my head. “He thinks the pill thing points to the pharmacist who stocks the carts. He believed whoever can be ripping off the patients. Pete's also hesitant to move against some of the county's ‘best” families."

  Pauline laughed. “As if they're not as human and as greedy as the “worst” families."

  "Tonight I'll find a place to hide in Mr. Greene's room. I plan to be there Wednesday evening."

  "Are you sure you want to put yourself in danger?"

  "It's out best chance.” I grinned. “In Santa Fe, I faced a man with a gun. A woman with a syringe should be no big deal."

  "Let me think about alternatives before you do this."

  No matter what she decided, I knew what I had to do. With or without her help, I would be in position.

  Pauline offered me a cup of mint tea. “I'll drop the packet off at your house this evening."

  "Slip it under my apartment door."

  The door of the office opened and Teresa entered. She halted in the doorway. “Katherine, you're not scheduled this evening."

  Pauline looked up. “Molly called in so I asked Kate to work."

  Teresa scowled. “Just wait ‘til I see her. We were going for a drink after work. I even brought a change of clothes."

  Why hadn't Molly called her? Pauline had known this morning. Did Molly suspect we were on to her?

  Teresa looked at me. “Why so early?"

  Pauline saved me from a sputtered response. “Kate and I trained together. She brought a new tea for me to sample. Would you like a cup?” She pointed to the single jar on the credenza.

  Teresa smiled. “I would. The stuff is addictive. I'm a coffee fiend, but I've tried two kinds and found them delicious."

  'I could bring you some."

  "I'd like that.” She accepted the cup Pauline offered and reached for a clipboard. “Since we're here, we might as well take report."

  After passing the pertinent information to the aides and giving assignments, I checked the treatment schedule. Mr. Greene was scheduled to be turned and given skin care and passive exercises. “John, could you give me a hand?” His help would be appreciated and I might pry some information about Molly and her pets from him.

  "Can do.” He followed me down the hall.

  I heard a voice inside the room and frowned. The tone was harsh but I couldn't understand what was being said. I tapped on the door and entered. At our approach, Mr. Greene's son turned abruptly. The box he held struck the siderail. The lid flipped open. Gold and silver coins cascaded over the sheet and onto the floor.

  "Sorry to startle you.” I bent to retrieve some of the coins.

  I know little about such things, but remembered Richard mentioning Mr. Greene had been a collector. Why had the son brought the coins here? Would he answer if I asked?

  "No problem,” he said.

  Though his voice held no rancor, his expression did. I stooped and picked up half a dozen that had rolled under the loveseat. “Are you sure we've found them all?"

  "Won't know until I get home,’ he said. “If you find others, leave them at the desk for me.” He paused. “Is Molly here?"

  "She called in sick but she'll be here Wednesday. Do you want to leave a message for her?"

  "Maybe I will.” He left the room.

  After the door closed, I looked at John. “I wonder if those coins were for her."

  He shrugged. “Sometimes family members give her things."

  As he turned Mr. Greene toward me, I saw a coin we'd missed and tucked it in my pocket. “What kind of things?"

  "You know. Perfume, candy. Once it was an old book she got excited about. Another time some rich lady gave her sparkly earrings and bracelet."

  "Diamonds?"

  "Don't ask me. Those zircon things, look flashy enough to me to be diamonds.” He grinned. “I dated her for a bit, but she wasn't my type. Wanted me to take her to some island for a long weekend."

  "An island? In the Caribbean?"

  "Think so.” He made a face. “Mr. Greene needs a good wash. If you get the water, I'll do it. You can escort my group to the dining room and I'll join them when I'm done here."

  "You've a deal.” I carried the basin to the bathroom and l
ooked around. While the basin filled, I judged hiding places. With the door partially open, the shower was obscured. That might be a better place than the closet or the alcove.

  As I left the room, I saw Mr. Greene's son lingering near the nurses’ station. Teresa pushed the cart into the hall. He stopped her. “I really need that number. She promised to tell me about several other facilities less expensive with excellent care."

  Teresa nodded. “I know she mentioned this to me, but we don't give out home information of the staff."

  "My sister and I need to make some choices before Dad is forced into a county facility. She won't settle for that."

  Teresa wrote something on a slip of paper. “Just this once."

  Had she given him Molly's phone number or her address? Would his next step be to deliver the coins to her? There was nothing I could do at this time so I collected John's patients for the trip to the dining room.

  When he relieved me, I returned to the second floor where I encountered a man in a white lab coat. Teresa waved me over. “Dr. Bragg, this is Katherine Miller, our newest part-time evening nurse."

  I looked up and smiled. A light frosting of gray touched his dark hair. “Pleased to meet you.” I said.

  "Pauline has spoken about you. Nice to put a face to a name. Could you assist me while I start an IV on Mr. Greene? I'd like to give a diuretic by push."

  "Be glad to.” While I prepared the set-up, I wondered how much Pauline had told him about our discoveries. I carried the tray and pushed the regulating machine down the hall. I noticed Dr. Bragg walked with a cane to minimize his limp.

  He found a vein on the first try. Once the medication had been given, I set the IV to a slow drip.

  Dr. Bragg paused in the doorway. “Make sure an accurate intake and output is kept. If there's a problem, I live on the grounds in what was the guesthouse. Ten minutes and I'll be here."

  "Will do.” His statement raised my concerns about the night Martha had died. If he lived so close why hadn't Molly called after I expressed my concerns? I knew the answer and blamed myself for not pushing her to call while I was there.

  He turned. “Pauline says you're an old friend who stepped in to help her."

  Was that all she'd told him? Not that I didn't trust her judgment but what if Molly heard something that alerted her? “I was glad to see her again. We lost touch when she started bouncing around the country."

 

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