Slowly, she rolled out of bed and stomped toward the shower, still grumbling at the time but after the shower, she felt much better by the time she’d gotten down stairs.
“You’re up early, dear,” Hazel said politely as Abby shuffled into the kitchen. “Did you have another one of your nightmares?”
Abby shuddered but shook her head. “No. John Troutdale just called and asked if I could meet him today at McGradys. He’s on his way down from Seattle. I’m just not sure why he called so early.”
“Well, that should be nice,” Hazel said, unperturbed at the grumpy tone in Abby’s voice. “He’s such a nice man. I just got his first payment from selling my pies and I was rather impressed! Who knew that so many people would want some of my pies?”
Abby perked up, giving her grandmother a smile. “Really? I bet that’s going to give the senator some hives when he realizes you have some income.”
Hazel sighed, nodding slowly as she filled two cups of tea and brought them over to the small kitchen table. “Dear, let me share some wisdom I had to come by in the old fashioned way. Through trial and error.” She paused, taking a long sip while giving Abby a level look. “You can’t let the senator be behind everything that happens. You can’t let him be your every thought or your every suspicion. If you let that happen, then no matter what occurs, he wins.”
Abby mulled over Hazel’s words for several moments. “That’s a lot like something Lanie told me. She said not to get too invested, or I could get lost. It’s not exactly the same thing but it reminds me of that.”
Hazel nodded. “Lanie is a smart young lady. I’m not surprised that Bob trusts her. She’ll be a good sheriff someday, I think.”
“Do you think she’ll stay in town?” Abby said.
“Oh, I bet she does,” Hazel replied. “Bob Pearson wouldn’t be grooming her if he thought she might disappear but one never knows. Still, I suspect she loves it here just as much as I do.”
“And me,” Abby said, smiling.
“And you,” Hazel confirmed and smiled back before changing the subject. “But yes, It was quite a nice little check that John gave me! When you see him later today, please tell him thank you for making an old woman feel relevant.”
“I will,” Abby said before getting up. “I think I’ll change and go in early to help Becky with the morning rush. I’m not getting back to sleep at this point.”
“Okay, dear,” Hazel said, going back to puttering around the stove. “I’ll have some breakfast ready when you come back down. Just don’t forget what I said about the senator. He’s not worth the heartache, though he is worth our constant vigilance.”
Chapter 23
Abby and Gabe walked into McGradys and both of them beamed at the short man who stood from the table and approached them. In his mid-thirty’s, John was well chiseled and coifed like a Hollywood star and carried it very well.
They had met the man a few months ago when he and two of his employees came to town, investigating the disappearance of some of their money and to go elk hunting. John’s family once had been deeply involved in criminal enterprises, but since John had come to power, he’d worked tirelessly to extract himself from their past endeavors. By his own admission, he wasn’t completely out, but he was still trying and Abby just decided not to think on it too hard.
John and his two men had helped fend off the biker gang that had attacked the police station when most of the officers were away. Abby and Becky had learned then how good of a man John was, and they’d been fast friends ever since. Reggie, one of John’s employees, had liked Red Pine Falls so much, he’d for all intents and purposes retired from John’s enterprises to come down and manage McGadys’ bar, becoming lanie’s boyfriend in the process.
John gave Abby a hug, and then Gabe a more manly embrace, both thumping each other’s backs before retiring back to the table where Lanie and Reggie were waiting.
“It’s so good to see you both,” John said, giving Abby and Gabe a warm smile as they sat. “It feels like forever since I’ve been down here. Imagine my surprise when I find it a winter wonderland!”
“It’s good to see you too, John, though I’ll thank you not to call at 5 a.m. if you can help it.” Abby said, giving him a playfully irate look.
John shrugged good naturedly. “Well, I wanted to get on your calendar before you filled it up. Or, and this is perhaps slightly more accurate, I honestly didn’t even think to check the time. I do business with a lot of folks on the East Coast, and sometimes I get carried away. I apologize.”
“It’s okay, it didn’t kill me,” Abby said. “But why did you want to meet?”
“To the meat of the matter, then,” John said, leaning back and looking around himself. “Reggie told me what was going on, and I was able to do a bit of digging into what our good friend Senator Clark might be looking for. Apparently, some interesting data disappeared from a warehouse down in Phoenix about mid last year. I don’t know what the information was, but the senator’s organization has been quietly putting out feelers, looking for anyone trying to sell whatever it is. That stopped about a month ago, so I assume they figured out Buck took it.”
“What kind of information is it?” Lanie asked with a frown.
“That I wasn’t able to find out,” John said. “Prying too much would attract the wrong kind of attention, but I can tell you that what you’re looking for is probably in a flash drive.”
“Samantha said they were down in Phoenix, but working in construction or something,” Abby said.
“Obviously, that wasn’t the case,” Lanie answered. “He probably just lied to her about it, but that does help. At least we know we’re not looking for something big.”
“Yeah, but a flash drive is tiny,” Gabe said. “It could be anywhere.”
John nodded. “I’m sure Senator Clark’s men looked anywhere he might have lived, but yes, finding a flash drive is going to be difficult unless you have someplace more localized to look.” John paused, looking at Reggie before turning back to the group. “The only other thing I’ve managed to hear, is that they seem to be rather upset at Buck’s death in prison. I can understand why, so there may be some other group or person involved.”
“Demsey was killed a few days ago, as well,” Abby said quietly.
“Buck’s brother?” John asked, seeming surprised.
“Yes, apparently someone ran him down outside of his house and shot him. It was messy and very unprofessional,” Lanie said.
“Well, that’s something,” Reggie said. “There’s a big difference between a professional killing and one that isn’t. Who else would have wanted Demsey dead?”
Lanie shifted and picked up her coke. She was still on duty so wasn’t drinking alcohol. “He wasn’t very well loved. He followed Buck around and both of them caused a lot of trouble. I can imagine several people who didn’t like either one of them, but kill him?” Lanie shook her head. “They broke the law, but nothing to be murdered over. Except for this stuff against the senator.”
“He’d kill either of them without blinking an eye, but he needs to find this information,” John said. “It’s very clear he want this information back, not just destroyed. Either way, I’m down here for a week if you need me.”
Abby felt her phone buzz, pulling it out and seeing Robert Carrington’s name. She bounced excitedly for a moment, telling the friends who it was before she answered. “Robert? Do you have good news for me?” Abby asked after everyone had quieted down. The rest of them watched intently, listening to at least her side of the conversation.
“Why, yes I do, Abby,” Robert answered. “The senator did exactly what I suspected he would, and greased the wheels for the lawsuit without realizing that was exactly what we wanted. I’ve managed to turn it completely back on the Clawsons. You’ll be happy to know that Hazel is now the proud guardian of a bouncing baby Samantha! I put your name on it as well, so you can talk to the hospital.”
Abby squealed and put her thumbs up, le
tting everyone else know it was good news. “When can we visit with Samantha?” Abby asked.
“Right away, and I’d recommend sooner than later,” Robert said. “This isn’t over yet and they can still put injunctions against us, but for now, the way is clear. I’m already requesting the files from the hospital. Do you want me to call ahead and tell them you’re coming?”
“You bet your bippy,” Abby said and then thought of something. “Also, tell them that only Gloria, Hazel, or I can visit them. If anyone else tries, they need to keep them out and let us know right away.
“All right, I’ll do that. Go ahead and head out there and I’ll meet you at the front entrance. I’m sure they won’t just roll over quietly, so you’ll need me to clear the way.”
“Thanks Robert,” Abby said, and then hung up the phone. She took Gabe’s hand and squeezed it excitedly before standing. “I’m going to call Gloria and tell her to get here right away. We’ve got to go visit Samantha right now.”
Chapter 24
Abby and Gloria raced toward Salem. Despite their victory, Abby was sure the senator would move against them once he realized he’d been played. As a result when they reached the Salem city limits, she slowed to the speed limit just in case Detectives Mike and Ed might be laying in wait. Fortunately, it wasn’t a great distance to the hospital so they made it into the parking lot without an incident.
Robert wasn’t there by the time they arrived, but they went in anyway. Abby didn’t want to waste time, and hoped that there wouldn’t be the roadblock that Robert suspected awaited them, but it was clear once they spoke to the nurse at the front counter her hopes would not be met.
The nurses’ eyes widened before settling into an unpleasant smolder when Abby said who they were here to see. Instead of taking their information, she picked up the phone and called back for someone before hanging up, giving them a look that said they weren’t going to get in.
Shortly after that, an officious looking man in a suit and an unpleasant look on his face came through one of the locked doors and marched right up to the two ladies. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Morgan, but you won’t be allowed to come in and see Samantha Green.”
“Did you get the paperwork on who Samantha’s new guardians are?” Abby said, frowning at the man’s absolute certainty.
The man sniffed and shook his head. “We received some paperwork, but honestly I don’t believe it. There is no way such paperwork could be completed so quickly. We’ll have to verify this isn’t some sort of odd forgery. Too much has happened surrounding Samantha lately for us not to be careful.”
“That’s part of why we’re here, Mr.-“ Abby trailed off, looking for a nametag and not finding one, finally looked back up into the man’s face. “Well, whoever you are. Someone has been harassing Samantha, and both Buck Dansen and Demsey Danson have been murdered in the last month. We’re trying to make sure Samantha isn’t next.”
“My name is Mr. Updike, and I don’t know a thing about this Buck or Demsey character, nor do I care,” Mr. Updike said. “My concern is Samantha Green, and you might as well just turn right around. You will not be seeing her today, or probably ever.”
Abby was just about to answer, but the front door opened and Robert Carrington hurried inside, grinning when he saw Abby and Gloria talking to Mr. Updike. Moving over to the three, he didn’t even bother to ask what was going on. Instead, he slapped an envelope into the administrator’s hands and then spoke while the man spluttered.
“Hello? I’m sure you’re some sort of administrator or official here. My name is Robert Carrington, and I happen to be Samantha Green’s lawyer, as well as the architect of her new guardians. I take it you are trying to interfere with my clients seeing Miss Green? If so, then go ahead and open that envelope. It details the suit we’ll be levying against your hospital and any employees that attempt to stop my clients from meeting. A very large suit, that includes many zeros.”
The man spluttered, looking at Robert with large, panic stricken eyes. Whereas Abby and Gloria weren’t dressed any different than most people out on the street, Robert Carrington was dressed in very expensive clothing, including a thick, black woolen overcoat to ward off the cold. In essence, he looked every bit the high-priced lawyer that he was, and his steady gaze was practiced over many years in courts. Mr. Updike didn’t have a chance.
“Suit?” Mr. Updike managed to get out, looking back and forth between Mr. Carrington and the envelope. “Why? Why would you be suing us?”
“Can I ask what your name is?” Robert said politely.
“Um… Mr. Gerald Updike. I’m the head administrator here at the hospital.”
“Ah, very good,” Robert said, pulling out a small notebook and writing it down. “I’ll need that in case things progress. Now, to answer your question, I might be suing you if you are interfering in the visitation of Samantha Green with her guardian. Also, I might be suing you for interfering with Samantha being in danger, and I’m sure after I speak to the police of Red Pine Falls, that I’ll be able to include obstruction of justice.”
“Ob… Obstruction of Justice?” Mr. Updike said, taking a step back and looking around wildly as if there might be police hiding in the front lobby.
“Yes, Gerald,” Robert continued. “I know for a fact they’ve requested information as to the potential harassment and stalking of Miss Green from your offices. You have been doing everything in your power to avoid them. By the way, I’ll also expect you to start cooperating with them today or-“ he trailed off, pointing at the thick envelope in Mr. Updike’s hand.
Mr. Updike looked down at the envelope as if it were a snake, then quickly crossed over to the nurses station. “Go ahead and let them in and move Samantha to room H12.”
The nurse glared at him and then at Abby. Abby didn’t know why the nurse was upset but maybe she was offended at being forced to do her job. Either way, not a few minutes had passed before the same male nurse they had met on their last trip came through the door. Instead of being angry, the man seemed to be pleased as he guided them into the back hallways of the hospital.
After the door had closed and they’d moved down the hallways, he turned to Abby, Gloria and Robert with a grin. “Boy, you sure riled things up around here. They’ve been talking all day about this, and how they were going to enjoy turning you away if you showed up.” He chuckled, then pantomimed throwing something. “Right out on your keesters! You’d have thought that Mr. Uppity was going to actually get his hands dirty and do it himself.”
Abby couldn’t help but grin at the man’s cackle. “Excuse me, but why are they being such… idiots about all of this? We’re just trying to help Samantha.”
The nurse shrugged. “I don’t know, except they are always a little hard to work with. Sometimes people get it in their head that they just know better, you know? Like having someone suggest otherwise is a personal affront to them. Then they just dig their heels in, no matter how good of an idea it is to do it the new way.”
Robert nodded, pacing behind the man and smiled. “That’s exactly why I prepared that lawsuit. I was hoping not to have to use it, but better to be safe than sorry. I could tell what was going on the minute I walked in. Trust me, I’ve dealt with administrators before. Sometimes they’re good people, but sometime they’ve been in their job for too long and it becomes their personal fiefdom. I suspect that Mr…what did you call him? Mr. Uppity?” Robert chuckled at that. “I suspect that is what happened here. My name is Robert, by the way, and this is Abby and Gloria.”
The man stopped and turned, looking at them searchingly for a moment before reaching out his hand to each of them to shake. “My name’s Lawrence,” the man said. Robert took his hand without hesitation and Abby only liked him more for responding to the nurse as a human being. “Can I ask you something? Are you here to help Samantha Green? I’ve seen you a few times,” he said, nodding at Gloria, “so I think you’re on the up and up, but there’s been some strange things going on with that girl for a
few weeks.”
“Yes, we are here to help her,” Abby said, glancing at Robert and Gloria before continuing. “We’ve been trying to get in to see her again for a while. What’s going on?”
“Okay, I’m hoping this doesn’t cost me, but I really hope you’re here to help her,” the man said slowly, giving them a searching gaze. “She got attacked the other night. Banged up bad and choked. I thought it might just have been another patient, but I’m hearing through the grapevine that it wasn’t. Someone’s trying to hurt her from the outside.”
“Attacked? Can you tell us more about what happened?” Robert asked carefully. “I promise you, we’re here to help.”
Lawrence looked to make sure no one was overtly listening, though there were just too many people roaming the hallways for that not to happen. Most were patients, but there were a few other nurses and orderlies. Still, none were close as the man leaned forward, talking in a hushed tone. “I don’t have all the details, but apparently someone tried to throw her out of a window. Whoever tried is an idiot, though. Believe me, during summer it’s terrible, but it would take a stick of dynamite to open them. A bunch of inmates saved her before the guy could choke her out, but she was shaken up pretty bad.”
“Oh, my goodness!” Abby said angrily. “Did the administration do anything? Did they report it?”
Lawrence gave her a look as if she were kidding, but shook his head a moment later. “No. They hate any kind of attention. Trust me, we get enough of it due to the bad living conditions.”
Robert was scribbling on his notepad before he looked up. “Don’t worry, Lawrence. I can and will do something about that. Someone will look into it, but in the meantime, can you take us to Samantha? I think its best if we see what happened ourselves.”
Lawrence nodded and resumed guiding them through the hallways. Abby tried not to pay attention to all the fake happy creatures lining the hallways, smiling and staring at her in a way that just made Abby angry. This wasn’t supposed to be a place where you had to fear for your life. She was going to save Samantha, and by the look on Robert and Gloria’s faces, they had the same thought.
Deadly Desires and Killer Instincts Page 8
