Lost and Found

by Margaret Lake

  “Assuming we’re correct that these places are bilking old folks with no family out of their Social Security checks, I wonder what the trigger was for suddenly dumping these people?” Brown mused.

  “I have a cousin who works in home health care up north,” Paul told him. “She says that there are big changes in Medicare coming up in January. Something about fee-based vs. value-based services. I didn’t understand what she was talking about, but she did say the changes would put a lot of these mom and pop facilities out of business.”

  “Sounds like that’ll do it. If Medicare is going to start questioning the value of their services, if that’s what it means, they’ll be under more intense scrutiny. Looks like they’re cutting their losses if they’ve been exploiting these seniors for their Social Security checks as we suspected.”

  “Getting out now before they get caught,” Paul agreed.

  “In the meantime, I’ll call Chief and bring him up to date. He doesn’t know about the Caron family connection yet.”

  “At least that’s one piece of good news,” Corwin grinned.

  “Chief Sutherland … Kevin Brown here. There have been developments and we need to bring you up to speed. We’ll meet you at the station in ten.”

  “Little Mikey is already there. We need to put a leash on that boy,” Kevin sighed.

  “On the other hand, he seems to know what questions to ask, and even better, where to find the answers,” Corwin said.

  “I’m afraid so. But he’s Sutherland’s responsibility.”

  “That kid is going to have one helluva story to write when we take the muzzle off,” Corwin grinned.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Agent Corwin, Agent Brown,” Andy greeted them. “Mikey’s been filling me in.”

  “Good. Saves time,” Kevin nodded. “But there’s been a development.” Quickly, he brought Andy up to date on the seniors locked in the duplex. “HQ thinks there may be more of these places and wants us to coordinate a search with you guys.”

  “Right,” Andy nodded. “But they might not all be duplexes.”

  “Could be large houses. Farmhouses even. Converted barns. Whatever,” Kevin agreed. “It’s going to be a heckuva job, but we’re counting on your local knowledge.”

  “This duplex,” Michael asked, “do you know who owns it?”

  “No, we haven’t gotten that info yet,” Corwin told him. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking the best way to stay under the radar is to use abandoned properties or properties tied up in foreclosure. If we can work up a list, we might want to concentrate our search in those properties first. Maybe start with the rural areas where there won’t be a lot of nosy neighbors.”

  “Good thinking, Michael,” Kevin smiled grimly. “But there’s bound to be hundreds of such properties.”

  Paul Corwin was already on the phone with his office requesting lists of properties fitting that description in the state but concentrated around Banks County to start.

  “They’ll have it for us in an hour,” Paul confirmed. “You guys can help us focus on the likelier locations.”

  “Wow. It’s good to have the Feds on our side,” Michael smiled happily.

  “Your idea, kid,” Brown grinned back. “Maybe you should think about joining us.”

  “He’s got the smarts for it,” Andy said, “but he’s always hated guns.”

  “So, you don’t have to be a field agent,” Paul added. “Work in our research department.”

  “Sounds great, but I wouldn’t want to leave Joseph. My sister, my mom, …”

  “Anna Tomaselli,” Andy chuckled. “Small town, Mikey. Nothing stays secret for long.”

  “Especially when you have a sister like mine,” Michael grinned ruefully, rubbing his head.

  * * *

  Paul and Kevin left to get some dinner and Michael pulled out his phone to call his sister.

  “Mims, I’m with Chief and I’m putting you on speaker. Are you still with Ash?”

  “Yes, and her grandparents.”

  “How did it go?”

  “Well, we went through a couple of boxes of tissues but now we’re trying to figure out what to do.”

  “How can we help?” Chief asked.

  “Juliana wants to bring her mother home, but I’m not sure that’s practical. Won’t Julie need a lot of specialized care?”

  “I’ll talk to Doc, see what he says,” Chief told her. “Mikey, do you know where they took Julie?”

  “She’s in the Banks County Hospital with the others until they can find a facility that will take them. They still need medical care, but I heard this morning that they are eating well and getting plenty of rest.”

  “They must be exhausted after what they’ve been through,” Mia said.

  “It’s a good sign that they’re eating,” Michael said. “My research shows that a lot of the problem is they forget to eat. Even if someone tries to feed them, they might protest that they’ve already eaten.”

  “That’s so sad,” Mia said.

  “It is,” Chief added. “Look, Mimsey, there have been developments and Mikey and I have a lot to do. I’ll get with Doc and find out what I can.”

  “Thanks, Chief. You’re the best.”

  Chief could feel Mia’s grin through the phone and it warmed his heart. He’d never tried to be a stepfather to these two kids, but he was grateful that they still loved and respected him after he’d married their mother.

  “Mims, tell Ash and her family we’re here to help whatever way we can.”

  “I will, Mikey,” Mia replied, but she was afraid the Carons were in for a rough time of it.

  “See you at home, but don’t wait up. Like chief said, there’ve been developments.”

  “Like what?”

  “Turn on the late news. I’m sure it will be on there.”

  “Okay, Mikey.”

  “I’m afraid the bad guys will be watching the news, too,” Chief sighed. “They’re probably halfway to Mexico by now with the money they stole from these people.”

  “At least the duplex is in a neighborhood and we might get some descriptions,” Michael pointed out, hopefully.

  “Don’t count on it, Mikey,” Chief told him, shaking his head. “The top guys would never have shown their faces around there. The Social Security checks would have been direct deposited and the workers would have been paid in cash by a third party.”

  “Cash!” Michael exclaimed, startled. “What kind of nurses and doctors would work under the table?”

  “The kind that aren’t licensed or have minimal training. The kind that are desperate for a job and ask no questions.”

  “Except for one,” Michael said, grimly.

  “One?”

  “Yeah. The Marsh Man. The dead one. If he’s connected to this, and we’re pretty sure he is, there’s only one reason he would be killed. He was going to blow the whistle.”

  “Or maybe already had,” Chief mused. “Worth checking into. Find out what agency he would have called, Mikey.”

  “It would probably have been an anonymous tip,” Michael grinned, happy to be on the hunt. He fired up his tablet, falling quickly into the depths of the cyber world.

  “Chief, he might have called the police first. If he had no medical training, he might not have known who to call.”

  “On it,” growled Chief. “Forbes, get in here,” he bellowed. “Forbes is my night deputy.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Forbes, send out a statewide alert, all police chiefs. We want to know if any of them received a tip about elder abuse. Do it now and stick by the phone and keep email open in case we get a response.”

  “Yes, sir,” Hank Forbes replied, happy to be doing something constructive about the plight of those abandoned seniors. The whole town was up in arms about it. Hell, probably the whole state as well.

  “Good thinking, Mikey,” Andy nodded. “You know, you might consider looking into the FBI. The newspaper business
is pretty iffy these days and you’re low man on the totem pole.”

  “Just let them try to boot me after I break this story,” Michael declared, the light of battle in his eyes.

  “Here it is,” Michael said, turning his tablet so Chief could see. “There’s a statewide hotline to call.”

  “Good work. I’ll turn this one over to the agents. They can probably get quicker results than we can.”

  “I guess that’s about all we can do until they get back with the list,” Michael said, trying to appear casual. “Mind if I take a bit of a break?”

  “Got a phone call to make?” Andy grinned.

  “None of your damned business, Chief,” Michael protested with a smile. “But if you must know. Yes. And yes again. It is Annie Tomaselli.”

  “That’s the spirit!” Andy laughed. “A woman like that deserves attention. Come to think of it, I’d better call your mother.”

  “Mmmm,” Michael hummed, leaving it at that as he walked out of the office.

  * * *

  Michael’s stomach growled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten much all day. He’d better call Annie from the car. Bluetooth had her on speaker in moments.

  “Hello, who is this?” Anna asked, her tone cooler than he would have liked.

  “Uh … it’s … uh … Michael,” he muttered. “And, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to call.” Damn, there was that stupid word again. He’d better learn to not do things that required him to fall all over himself apologizing.

  “Okay. Apology accepted.”

  “Yeah?” Anna sounded so serious, he wasn’t sure that she meant it.

  “Yeah. Now, to what do I owe the honor of this call, from the car no less.”

  “Well, yes.” He didn’t bother to ask her how she knew. Annie seemed to know everything.

  “And what hot lead are you following now?”

  “The lead of my stomach who thinks my throat’s been cut. I’m headed to the diner.”

  “Great. I’ll meet you there. Leaving now.” Anna hung up, not giving Michael time to protest. She was beginning to learn if she wanted to spend time with the man, she’d better make her own opportunities.

  Hungry as he was, Michael decided to wait for Anna on the porch. It was the least he could do. Unfortunately, that seemed to have characterized their relationship from the beginning. If he wanted to have an actual man-woman relationship, he’d better step up his game.

  Anna reached the diner a few minutes after him and as she slid out of her car, he thought once again that she was the one for him. Yup, the love of his life and all he had to do was convince her that he was the love of her life in between spending time with Carla Findlayson, helping the FBI, writing a great story to keep his job, and doing what he could for Julie Atchinson and her newfound family. Piece of cake.

  As soon as Anna stepped onto the porch, Michael leaned down to kiss her cheek, but she turned her head so that their mouths met instead. Startled by the change in destination, he would have pulled back, but the woman already had her hand behind his head, pressing him close.

  Okay, he thought to himself. Never let it be said that he was slow.

  Now it was his turn to put his arms around her waist and change the angle of the kiss, letting Anna know that he wanted this as much as he hoped she did.

  Finally, Anna eased back, searching Michael’s eyes, and finding what she wanted, she pushed him gently away.

  “You must be starved,” she whispered, although she’d tried for a light tone. But it didn’t matter that she’d missed by a mile, because Michael was taking her hand and tucking it into his arm.

  “Mm-hmm,” he murmured. “But not just for a burger and fries.”

  “Well,” she teased, “they do have a full and complete menu here. Maybe you’ll find something else that you want.”

  “I’m looking at what I want right now.”

  Anna sucked in her breath. She hadn’t expected such an open declaration. Still, wanting was not love, and though she was pretty sure of what she’d seen in his eyes, she wanted … no needed … those three little words … and not, pass the ketchup.

  “Come on,” Anna said, finally achieving that light tone she’d been striving for earlier. “Let’s get you fed and you can tell me as much as you’re allowed about what you’re doing.”

  When they were seated, Michael asked her, “What do you mean by allowed?”

  “Have we not already established that I have a brain under all these curls?” Anna demanded.

  “If you remember the poem …,” he grinned.

  “Please, don’t remind me,” Anna mocked, rolling her eyes.

  “And yes,” Michael continued, “I’m well aware of how smart you are. Not just smart. Clever. You can put two and two together better than anyone I know.”

  “How’s this for two and two,” Anna smiled. “Two men in black, presumably FBI agents, dropped in by helicopter this morning and went straight to the station. Not long after, said agents, Chief Sutherland and Chief Patterson, hotfooted it over to the high school where … surprise, surprise … intrepid reporter, Michael Broderick, was up to his sultry gray eyes in old school records. That last was just a surmise.”

  “Sultry gray eyes?”

  “Shut down the ego for a minute and listen. I’m not done.”

  “Okay, but I’m not done with the sultry …”

  “Stop right now, Michael,” she said, severely, rapping the back of his hand with her coffee spoon. “Everyone then went back to the Chief’s office where they conferenced for a while, deciding on a course of action because Charlie Gordon and another officer, I’m assuming one of Chief Patterson’s, left toot sweet in their separate squad cars. Intrepid reporter, Michael Broderick, headed home armed with information from the school records, presumably about our Julie. How am I doing so far?”

  “You’re scaring me,” Michael muttered.

  “Small town,” she declared. “To continue. Our two stalwart FBI agents went to the Broderick residence where Ashley Caron was seen. The agents, Ashley and Mia went to Ashley’s grandparents’ house. Whatever Michael found out at the school had to do with the Carons. The agents left and were seen at HQ where Michael … that’s you … had earlier been seen entering.”

  “Is that all?” Michael asked, horrified that the small-town grapevine had operated with such speed and efficiency.

  “Yes,” Anna nodded. “Of course, I don’t know what Juliana and Will Caron have to do with the seniors, but I’m guessing a connection has been found between one of them and the Caron family. And I’m further guessing it’s our knitting lady, Julie. Her name is so similar to Juliana.”

  “No comment,” Michael said, his head still spinning. “Look. I’ll tell you what I told Mia. Watch the late news. The developments should break then, but that’s all I can tell you.”

  “Michael,” Anna said, biting her lip and grasping his hand. “Be careful. These men have proved themselves to be callous, not to mention murderous. I’m afraid you’re thinking anything for a story, but … and I don’t mean this to be insulting … you’re a small-town guy working on a small-town paper and this thing is getting bigger and bigger or the FBI wouldn’t be involved.”

  Michael turned his hand to wind his fingers through hers.

  “I’m no hero, Annie. I’m the info guy. The Internet geek. That’s all.”

  “Okay,” Anna said, letting out a sigh of relief.

  “In fact, Agent Brown said there might be a place for me in the FBI research department.”

  “Oh. You mean you’d be moving away from here,” Anna whispered, starting to withdraw her hand from his.

  “No, Annie,” he smiled, placing his other hand over hers. “Not without you.”

  That’s all Anna wanted to hear. Of course, if the paper closed or Michael was laid off, he’d have to leave Banks County. And if he did, she’d be right there with him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  As soon as he got the text from Chief, Michael left
his half-eaten burger and ran out of the diner with a muttered, “Sorry. I gotta go.”

  Anna didn’t mind that so much. She already understood that with Michael, the story would always come first. But she did mind being stuck with the check.

  Anna paid the bill and left, wondering what she was going to do with the rest of the evening. She’d never worried about that before. There was always a book to read or a documentary to watch. And she was particularly addicted to old, black and white movies. But now, there was Michael and time without him stretched emptily in front of her.

  Thinking of Michael made Anna think of Mia and thinking of Mia made Anna think of Ashley. Okay, so Michael couldn’t tell her anything, but he didn’t say she couldn’t look into things a bit herself. Besides, Mia and Ashley were both her clients and had become her friends as well. It was only natural that she offer to help.

  Anna hopped into her SUV, convenient for showing clients around, and pressed the phone button on the steering wheel. She pulled out onto the highway before telling the phone to call Mia and soon had her on speaker.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Mia. It’s Anna. I hear there’s something going on with Ash and I thought I would drop by to see if I could help.”

  “Oh, I guess Mikey told you,” Mia sighed. He wouldn’t tell his own sister things, but first chance he got, he’d spilled the beans to Anna.

  “How is everyone taking it?” Anna asked, taking a chance that she was right. At least Michael hadn’t contradicted her guesses.

  “You know, pretty excited, but not knowing exactly what to do.”

  “Does Ash mind if I drop by? I’m in the neighborhood anyway.”

  Anna heard a whispered conference in the background and drummed her fingers nervously on the wheel. She didn’t want to intrude if they were truly upset, but she did want to confirm her suspicions. As a math geek … or as they called themselves these days, mathletes … she always had to solve problems no matter how long it took.