After completing the phone call with Ruby, Walt went looking. He found Ferg sitting at his big person's desk opposite Vic's reviewing the warrant he had just picked up at the courthouse. It looked like the surveillance cameras would be really helpful for this case and they had the approval they were looking for.
Walt sat at Vic's desk opposite Ferg, which was not a regular occurrence. Because it was not a typical thing, it sometimes gave them a different perspective on things. The two discussed the parameters of the warrant. Walt explained the limitations and how careful they had to be in following it strictly. There were specific rules regarding how, when and where the footage was to be captured, who could view the footage, how the footage was to be stored after the fact, and also the subsequent documentation of any potential crimes captured by the cameras.
Ferg's attention was keenly focused on Walt's instruction. Walt was always impressed by how eager Ferg was to learn new things. Walt sensed that it was because Ferg really liked to learn new things, but more importantly, because he was eager to be a better deputy. Ferg was always asking about procedures and the law. Frequently he asked for feedback from Walt regarding his performance on the job. And at times, Ferg was given a bit of leeway to question a decision Walt had made, regarding an arrest or a particular strategy that may have been utilized with a case. It gave Ferg courage to question Walt s decisions, and very often, Ferg gave an opinion that was thoughtful and valued.
Then they discussed how many cameras would be used, and where they would be installed. It was decided that they would set up a discreet appointment with Ferg and the Villa Administrator, under the auspices of discussing Ferg s Aunt Doreen's care. Ferg would demonstrate how the cameras worked and how to install them. The installation would be done at night when most of the staff members had gone home and the residents were asleep. Video footage would be downloaded each morning and sent to Ferg at the ASD office.
The next morning Ferg went to visit his aunt Doreen at the home . He brought some donuts and gave her a quick hug and kiss at the entrance to her room. "How's it going, Auntie?" he asked, with a grin on his face. "Have you gotten into any trouble yet?" he whispered in her ear.
Ruby/Doreen patted him on the shoulder and said "NO, I've been a model prisoner. This place is dreadful. It's like a warehouse for old people. It makes me sad to think that I could end up like this one day."
"Sorry, Ruby", Ferg whispered. "I guess I've never given much thought to what happens to people when they age. I should talk to my mom sometime about it. Hey, do you want to play some cards? Just give me a sec, though. I want to talk to Don. We got the warrant for the surveillance cameras."
Ferg met in private, with Don, the Administrator, and they discussed the cameras, their operation and placement.
Afterwards, Ferg and his aunt Doreen enjoyed a few rousing games of rummy, accompanied by tea and donuts. Ruby won most of the games. They had to be careful not to make too much noise lest Doreen/Ruby get into trouble. Although Ferg had other duties to attend to, he felt the need to spend some quality time with Ruby and make sure she was happy enough.
"I spoke to Bill this morning, and he's doing well", Ferg said. "Walt stopped by your place last night to make sure he was ok and had enough food", Ferg offered hopefully. He didn't want Ruby to worry about Bill. "That's nice of Walt, Ferg. But Walter will be in hot water with me for some time you know, for giving me this assignment and making me wear this ugly wig and cardigan. It was also nice of you, Ferg, to not LAUGH at me", Ruby added with a grin.
"Wouldn't dare laugh at you, Ruby", Ferg laughed in return. "I want to get paid on time this month. Plus I think you look good in purple", he added for good measure.
As Ferg's visit was winding down, he and Ruby discussed other likely scenarios for the culprit. Walt had presented a theory that maybe it was someone in the kitchen or dish room. A resident may have left valuables at the dinner table, like a change purse or bracelet. It was also possible that someone who was a server, cook or dish washer, might enter an unlocked room during mealtime when most people were in the dining room. It was also an option for a resident to request that a meal be delivered to a room on occasion. Maybe a server might pick up a small item of value, when a meal was dropped off.
Later that day, Ruby put her watch in her hoodie pocket and then stuffed it into the basket just inside her door, ready for her floor's laundry day, Wednesday morning.
That night's dinner for Ruby was uninspiring. She found the food to be slightly overcooked and bland. The complex was generally kept too warm for Ruby's liking. She preferred an open window with lots of fresh air. She missed her husband and her cat. She even missed Walt a little bit, although probably would not admit it. She decided to start informal conversations with people she met in the dining room. Maybe some of them would give clues about the thefts.
Late morning the next day, after Ferg returned from responding to a gas 'n dash at the local Sinclair station, he checked his email for any camera footage. He was pleased to open up the file and start a review of the footage from the old folks' home. "Hey, Walt", said Ferg, knocking at Walt's door. "I got the footage from yesterday."
Walt, a little excited, looked at the laptop over Ferg's shoulder. Unfortunately, all the footage revealed was one of the staff members appearing to sneak her own laundry into a washing machine. Although the clothing revealed nothing, it was clear that the staff member was doing something wrong by the way she furtively moved her head back and forth between the washing machine and the doorway, as though trying to avoid being caught.
"That's sad, isn't it" ? said Ferg.
"I don't think they are very well paid," said Walt, shaking his head.
"Do we have to report this"? asked Ferg.
"No", said Walt. "But I think Don's probably already seen the footage, Ferg." Walt made a mental note to talk to Don about this issue. Maybe Walt could make a plea for this transgression to be overlooked. He might be able to make the case that the footage was to be specifically viewed to catch a thief and nothing else.
There was nothing in the footage that showed any kind of theft from the laundry room. The crummy pawn shop watch was returned to Doreen the next day, along with her hoodie and towels. There was also a note that said "I found your watch."
So, for the time being, the laundry room was not seen as the place where the thief might be caught.
Ruby continued on her quest to sleuth out the culprit. She was a bit puzzled by a lack of clues, but vowed to try harder as an amateur sleuth. After all, she had several decades of experience at the ASD and had picked up a few tricks along the way.
She went to sleep that night, dreaming of cracking the case wide open. She was also looking forward to a visit from her niece Victoria.
