Devane Donely Investigations
Robert strolled into the office brown envelope in hand. He spied Felicia looking and sounding a bit harassed. She had the phone nestled against her shoulder and left ear while twirling a pen with her other hand.
"I understand where you're coming from. Mama would never do that. I gotta go. See you later!" Felicia put the phone down with a loud sigh. "Thank God you came in."
"You didn't have to hang up on my account. Your grandmother back in town?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"You said Mama and I assumed-"
"Mama Missoni from the television show All My Problems. Frisco and the baby never miss it," said Felicia. "She did something completely out of character and he's up in arms about it."
"Frisco watches a ... a soap opera?"
"Daytime drama not soap opera. Frisco says there's a difference."
"Uh, huh. Got it. I think," replied Robert.
"Robert, I need a favor."
"Sure. Anything."
"Could you put Frisco behind a desk for a little bit? A month or two."
"After his broken leg heals, he's automatically assigned to the station for at least two weeks," said Robert. "After that he's back on the beat."
"I'd like Frisco to walk his daughter down the aisle. That may not happen if he's Super Street Cop all the time."
"All he has to do is to learn to curb his more reckless tendencies," said Robert.
"Reckless is his middle name. We both know that," pointed out Felicia. "How about making him a detective?"
"I make no one a detective. Frisco has to earn it. Jumping on to a moving boat to catch a perp and breaking a leg isn't the way to do it. I'm the last person to be impressed by hot shot tricks," said Robert. "Aren't you pleased he's home for a few weeks with the baby?"
"It's only been two days and he's already driving me crazy. He can't do the Mr. Mom routine for very long. He'll rearrange the kitchen or the closets and I won't be able to find anything. Yesterday, he found the home shopping channels," said Felicia. "I'm going to be desperate before the week is out. I need your help, Robert."
"You want him out of your hair ASAP but you want to keep him safe. Is that right?"
"Yes, please."
"No promises but I'll think about it," said Robert. "Anna in?"
"She's not back from PCU yet. Anything I can do for you?"
Robert put the envelope on the desk. "I have a few things for you. There's a copy of the police report and official statements regarding the Montfort case. Sean forgot it on my desk. The sketch copy is someone that may be of interest to the agency. I can't file a missing person report but every eyeball helps."
Felicia took out the sketch. "She's missing or misplaced?"
"Either or both. Sadie said she moved into her area of the catacombs then promptly disappeared. That section is particularly cozy - warm and relatively safe. Doesn't make sense to leave it so soon. Anyway, she's probably a vet or ex-law something based on the bad dreams Sadie was hearing her having. Combat shock I'm thinking and fallen on hard times," said Robert. "I'd feel better if she could be found and taken off the streets."
"I'll post it on the board and keep my eyes and ears open, Robert." Felicia got the sketch and crossed the room to the cork status board.
The front door opened and Anna stepped in. She gave Robert a quick kiss.
"How did PCU go?" asked Felicia getting back to her desk.
"Nicole Rohmer is the ideal student. Excellent grades. Rarely absent. Gets along with everyone," said Anna. "PCU is a dead end. My best lead is still Rabbits." She eyed Robert. "Care to go with me?"
"I'd rather have a root canal," replied Robert with a grin. "Enjoy!"
"What are you planning to do?" asked Felicia.
"I told Candy the manager that I wanted to get tips to, uh, interest my husband. She suggested I observe tonight. That's what I intend to do," said Anna.
"If I may ask, why are you stuck on Rabbits? What about Nicole's family background?" asked Robert.
"Her family is good, solid working class. No one has criminal priors. They seem very close to each other. She's been going to PCU for a few years. The only recent change in her life is working at the club. Someone there knows something. I can feel it. Her father mentioned that Nicole got a moped or scooter after she started working at Rabbits." Anna looked at Felicia. "Any luck with dealers?"
"I contacted dealers and mechanics in town. No one sold anything to anyone matching Nicole's description," said Felicia. "But that doesn't eliminate being bought out of town. I'll call around to those tomorrow."
"Perfect. You're thinking like a real detective," said Anna with a smile.
"It's common sense mostly. It's not like jumping on to speeding boats but it's exciting to figure out where the pieces fit and why," said Felicia glancing at Robert.
"I'll be home really late. I want to meet as many employees as I can," said Anna.
"I wonder what kind of woman would work in a place like that?" asked Felicia.
"Not the kind you would expect. There was one woman I met briefly when I went there. Her name was Leah. She's stunning. She's nearly my height with dark eyes, high cheekbones and this fall of dark hair."
Robert fidgeted at hearing the description but the two women didn't notice his discomfort.
"She's a pediatric nurse at GH. She's working at the club for extra income," said Anna. "She must be good, too, because it sounded to me like she was substituting for Nicole yesterday."
"Sounds very interesting."
"I hope she's there tonight. She could prove useful to my case," said Anna.
Robert cleared his throat. "Well, it's been jolly, ladies. I have to get back to the office." He gave Anna a quick kiss. "I'll see you at dinner, sweetheart."
Repose Hill Senior Living Facility
Sean walked down the hallway to Christopher Tremont's office at a leisurely pace. He observed and listened in on the patients and staff that he passed. He even looked at the Employee of the Month board. Reading the staff notices, it seemed to Sean that morale was good.
He liked the general ambiance of the place. It wasn't ostentatious but it wasn't overly cold and clinical either. Sean decided that Repose Hill exuded an upper middle class atmosphere, home-like not a luxury hotel. Though knowing the cost of one year's board, it could have rivaled a resort.
He was shown into Chris Tremont's office by his secretary. Tremont was not inside. Sean cooled his heels for a few minutes studying the various diplomas and certifications on Tremont's wall. He sensed Irene's hand in the layout and presentation of Tremont's achievements. The most important ones were set at eye level. The less prestigious ones were set high or low. As Gregory had indicated Tremont had come from humble beginnings but made something of himself. Sean read the baccalaureate diploma in business administration from the University of California at Berkley.
On a bookshelf was a portrait of Tremont and Irene Montfort. Sean's interest was piqued at seeing it. Tremont did not look as he had expected. He was some years older than Irene and did not fit the kind of man that he thought would be attractive to a young socialite like Irene. He was barrel-chested with broad shoulders and the face of an outdoorsman - rugged but not striking good looks. He could not pass as a model but he was far from unattractive. He reminded Sean of a younger Charles Bronson.
Tremont walked in with a hand extended. " , I'm Christopher Tremont. Irene told me to expect you. Please have a seat." He closed his office door then sat behind his desk.
Sean took a seat in a leather armchair. "I've been hired by the Montforth Industries Board to investigate Alicia's death. My purpose is to determine whether she died from natural causes. It's a routine procedure for cases like this as I tried to explain to Irene. I'm not investigating a crime. This is purely a civil matter that is part of the Board's fiduciary responsibilities."
"I understand. Please ask whatever questions of me you need to," said Tremont.
"Was Alicia ever admitted to this facility prior to the last time?" asked Sean.
"It was her first time here in my tenure as director," answered Tremont.
"Were you or your staff aware of any chronic issues with Alicia?"
"No. Her physician Dr. Franklin Metcalfe recommended Repose Hill for recuperation and rehabilitation not as a primary care substitute or hospice. We tailored her room and care program according to her needs," explained Tremont. "We don't have in-house physician services. We rely on our patient's own physicians. Our main function in this case was to nurture a patient to a full recovery. However, every staff on the floor is fully trained and experienced in the normal cardiac resuscitation procedures."
"On a personal level, did you know about Alicia's heart condition?"
"Not exactly. Based on her age, I've always assumed the existence of coronary heart disease. I've seen enough cases here to know that it's more likely than not. Irene has never told me that Alicia had a heart problem. Or if she did, I don't recall being told. I think it was a common assumption in the family that she had heart problems," said Tremont.
"Describe to me what happened that last day and night," said Sean.
"I mentioned that we had a care program for her but Alicia was an ... active woman. She decided what she wanted to do and when," said Tremont.
"Go on."
"That day she had breakfast at the usual time. She complained about the eggs being too runny. The previous day she had said that her hip was troubling her. Dr. Metcalfe told her to stay in bed. Instead, she spent a good hour in the hot tub," said Tremont.
"A woman with her own mind," muttered Sean.
"Absolutely. She had visitors that day I remember."
"Who?"
"Amanda and Derek Barrington. It was probably a business meeting."
"Was that usual? I mean did Alicia work from her here?"
"Yes. Her personal assistant Gwen would come and stay between eleven and four to take correspondence, do errands and other things for Alicia."
"Gwen?"
"I've only known her as Gwen. She's like an extension of the family. She's the only one who Alicia listens to apart from Amanda and Derek. Let me see if I have her contact information somewhere."
"Never mind. I'll get it from the Board later. What happened after Gwen left?"
"Alicia had a short nap then had dinner. In the evenings, she watched a lot of the news and business programs. A nurse checked on her at nine o'clock. Alicia had fallen asleep with the television on," said Tremont. "The nurse turned off the TV and dimmed the light."
"When was the last check?"
"Alicia is an early riser, Mr. Donely. She almost always rings for tea or coffee at four in the morning," said Tremont. "This time she did not so an aide checked on her. She was found in bed as she had been the night before. She passed in her sleep."
"You're sure that there was no one else who checked on her?" asked Sean.
"You can consult the security cameras on the floor if you like. No one else checked on her," said Tremont.
"Can I see Alicia's room?"
"Why? It's been cleared and ... and cleaned," said Tremont.
"Is there another patient inside?"
Tremont shook his head.
"Then I'd like to see it. It helps to visualize the events," said Sean.
"Oh, I see. Of course. I'll take you there myself.
They left the office and ascended via elevator to the fifth floor and then into Alicia Montfort's former room. It was more like a studio apartment than a hospital room. It was divided into two sections. The sitting area had a couch, love seat and a writing desk. The bedroom had a wider than standard hospital bed, night stand and bureau of drawers with a mirror. The large 40 inch flat panel television mounted on the wall was visible from either section. On a small balcony pots of flowers and plants lined the iron railing. Sean could see tags on them indicating they were florist deliveries. He recognized all of them - Mariotti Flowers, Sunflower Nursery and the newest florist in town called Flower Power.
Tremont became upset at seeing the flowers. "The cleaning crew must have forgotten these. They're supposed to sweep everything clear. Excuse me, Mr. Donely." Tremont left the room presumably to express his displeasure to the maintenance staff.
Sean looked around the room carefully noting the placement of furniture and sight lines. The furniture was laid out to pose the least potential conflict for the patient. This mean distance between the pieces, no loose rugs and no breakable items within easy reach. The balcony doors were sturdy and lockable only from the inside. He noticed the electric radiant heater lined along the baseboard of one wall and the air conditioning vent set high on two walls. Sean studied the bed and tested the controls. The bed rose and moved with only a barely audible hum of the motors.
He noticed multiple alert panels on the walls and corded remotes attached to the bed and the couch. If a patient was in need there were multiple ways for them to alert the staff. He studied the door into the room. It was designed to buffer sound as well as provide security.
Stepping into the hallway, Sean could see the staff station at the other end of the hallway. He noted four cameras in the hallway. Anyone entering Alicia's room could be seen either from the staff station or by at least one of the cameras.
Last, he looked inside the lavatory. This was closer to the hospital design. There was a tiled shower with a bench for the patient to sit on during his or her bath. The counter was lowered to accommodate wheelchairs. The sink was extra wide and the faucets were easy to manipulate. He found nothing wrong in the bathroom.
He circled the sitting area and bedroom once more. It seemed an unlikely place to carry out a murder. Being on the fifth floor made entering and exiting through the balcony a dicey proposition. Were the suspicions of Lila Quartermaine and Amanda Barrington unfounded?
Devane Donely Investigations
Sean arrived at the office as Anna was getting ready to leave. They had an impromptu catch up session in the front office around Felicia's desk.
"I got nothing but I'm not ready to throw the towel in yet. I'm going to go over the autopsy reports again," said Sean.
Anna filled him in on her visit to PCU then said, "I hope I have better luck at Rabbits than you did at Repose Hill."
"Tonight's the night, then?" asked Sean moving to the coffee maker.
"Yeah. Maybe I'll find out what Robert's secret is," said Anna.
Sean chuckled. "Wish I could be there." He poured himself some coffee. His eyes drifted to the cork board. He tapped the sketch. "What's this?"
"Robert brought that over. It's a missing military veteran who was living in the catacombs," said Felicia.
Sean removed the sketch. "I've seen this woman."
"Where?" asked Felicia.
"On the Employee of the Month board at Repose Hill. She's a nurse's aide," said Sean.
"She's gainfully employed. Why would she be living in the catacombs?" asked Anna.
"Something doesn't add up here." Sean folded the sketch and put it into his coat pocket. "I'm going back there."
"I'll call Robert and-" began Felicia.
"No. Not yet. Let me look into it. Quietly." Sean buttoned his coat. "If I find something, I'll let Robert know. Good luck at Rabbits!"
