Read Online Swag Bags and Swindlers by Dorothy Howell - Free Book Online Page A

Alden headed toward a table at the edge of the patio where two men sat.
    Emily watched him go, then sighed and turned to me.
    â€œThank you,” she said. “The doctors told me to just go along with whatever he’s saying, unless it’s harmful, of course. Otherwise, he gets more confused, more upset.”
    My heart went out to her. It couldn’t be easy dealing with someone in his condition, and even more difficult if it was your father.
    â€œWas he really a magician?” I asked.
    â€œAlden the Great.” Emily smiled with pride. “He played all the big clubs. Vegas, New York, Chicago, Miami. The magic is the one thing he can still remember.”
    â€œMust be tough on you,” I said.
    Emily nodded. “They take good care of him here. Are you visiting someone?”
    â€œI’m the event planner for the anniversary gala,” I said.
    â€œDo you work here?” she asked.
    â€œNo, I’m with L.A. Affairs,” I explained.
    â€œYou’re not here every day?” she asked.
    â€œI stop by when something comes up about the gala.”
    Emily was quiet for a while, then asked, “They’re still having it? They’re not canceling because of Derrick’s murder, are they?”
    â€œIt’s going forward,” I assured her.
    â€œSo you’ll come back often?” she asked.
    â€œAs often as it takes,” I said.
    Emily seemed anxious to talk, so I decided this might be a good time to get some info on the murder.
    â€œDid you know Derrick?” I asked.
    â€œEverybody knew Derrick. He was very friendly with the residents,” Emily said, then added, “Too friendly, if you ask me.”
    â€œHow so?”
    â€œI guess he thought he was being helpful, but he seemed more nosy than anything.” She sighed. “Some of the residents don’t have family who visit regularly and watch out for them. You know, there’s no one to take care of their doctor appointments, their personal business, or brighten up the holidays.”
    I glanced around at the residents who were seated alone and wondered how long it had been since someone visited them.
    Not a great feeling.
    â€œIt’s worrisome to see how—”
    Emily stopped as her gaze zeroed in on her dad trundling down one of the garden paths alone.
    â€œExcuse me, Haley,” she said, and hurried after him.
    The future flashed in my head. Would my mom and dad end up in a place like this? Would I?
    Yikes! No way did I want to think about that.
    In fact, I didn’t want to think about the gala anymore either. I headed back inside.
    I still had to find Rosalind and finalize a few things, but I’d do that later. There was still time.
    I crossed the dayroom and was headed down the hallway toward the lobby when I spotted a very frail-looking elderly lady with white hair, wearing a floral print mumu and seated in a wheelchair. Pushing it was a woman in her late forties, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. I could see a family resemblance. Mother-daughter, I figured.
    The mom sat stoically, staring off at nothing. The daughter bent over her shoulder, complaining about something.
    I guess not all family visits were good ones.
    Yeah, I’d definitely had enough of Hollywood Haven for one day.
    But at least I’d discovered one possible murder suspect, plus a few I-wonder-who-they-are others.
    Vida Webster had been quick to point out Karen’s impending firing. She’d also mentioned other workers whom Derrick had let go for minor rule infractions. I didn’t know who those people were, but I knew someone who might be able to tell me.
    I passed the reception desk—still no Karen—and left the building. I jumped in my car and headed down Ventura Boulevard, then swung into the first Starbucks drive-through I came to.
    I ordered a mocha Frappuccino—I definitely needed a venti right now—and took care of my most unpleasant task while I waited in