Blurb:
Katherine’s newest tenant is estranged from her family and is the granddaughter of one of Katherine’s friends. When her friend falls and fractures her hip, the elderly woman is taken to Hudson House nursing home, an exclusive house.
Katherine’s friend becomes concerned about several recent and unexpected deaths. When she dies Katherine’s curiosity and suspicions send her undercover as a nurse. Soon she’s deeply involved.
Can she learn who is behind the scheme to end the lives of wealthy patients without becoming a victim?
Excerpt:
After
unlocking the brakes, I pushed her along the hall to one of the elevators. We
exited on the ground floor and moved through what had been the ballroom and now
was a dining/activity center. The wide French doors opened onto a terrace where
a ramp allowed easy access to the gardens. I found a sunny spot beside a white
bench.
“Why
all the secrecy?” I asked.
She
heaved a sigh. “The intercom.”
Her
answer puzzled me. Yes, health care facilities had intercom systems, but
listening in on conversations was difficult. Sometimes, the static and crackle
made the patients who called for help hard to hear. “What don’t you want
heard?”
“In
a minute.” She clutched her purse to her chest. “Yesterday afternoon, I heard
the man across the hall arguing with one of his sons. The man refused to sign
some kind of paper. The son shouted. ‘If you don’t, you’re signing your death
warrant. I need the power of attorney. Steve is just the one to see you dead.’ A
nurse sent the son away.”
“Sounds
like a family quarrel. People often say things they don’t mean when they’re
upset.”
“That
man died last night. I heard the nurses call the code and saw them pushing that
red cart into the room.”
“Are
you sure the one who died was the same man you heard earlier?”
“His
room was directly across the hall from mine.”
“Do
you know why he was here?”
She
shook her head. “Another odd thing happened at dinner. One of the other
residents asked why my neighbor hadn’t come to the dining room. He said they
had planned a card game. The aide said the patient was too tired to leave his
bed.”
“He
could have had a relapse.”
“I
suppose. When I asked the nurse what had happened, she said he’d had a heart
attack. She also said deaths were expected when people are old and in poor
health. I just thought his death coming so soon after the threat was odd.”
“Are
you worried about yourself?”
She
shook her head. “No, but I am pushing eighty.” She frowned. “Last night, Marcus
and I had words about Jenna. I don’t understand his anger toward her. She
wasn’t the driver. He insists a witness saw her behind the wheel, but he
refused to say who saw the accident. I told him I planned to make some changes
in my will.”
“How
did he react?”
“Told
me to think long and hard. I didn’t tell him the changes had been made months
ago. I mailed two letters to the attorney just before the accident. They’ll
explain why I acted the way I have.”
“Why
not tell him?”
“I
wanted them to be surprised.”
Though
a million questions swirled in my thoughts, I kept silent. “How are you
feeling?”
“Tired.
A bit short of breath.”
“Have
you noticed any swelling in your feet or ankles?”
“Hard
to tell when you’re not moving about.”
“Why
don’t you ask Dr. Brookes to stop by?”
“I
tried to have him called, but the nurse said he didn’t have privileges here. Hudson
House has its own doctor. He’s nice, but he doesn’t know me.”
I
patted her hand. “I’ve an appointment with Dr. Brookes this afternoon. I’ll
talk to him. Perhaps he can speak to the doctor here.”
My Places
https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
Buy Mark
Sounds all wonderfully mysterious.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely suspicious. Unfortunately this is all too realistic. Elderly people are often targeted by unscrupulous acquaintances or relatives.
ReplyDeleteAha, you have me hooked with this excerpt!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt. It left me wondering, lots of wondering.
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt. Lots of unanswered questions. Nice hook. I love mysteries! Thanks for sharing. Good luck!
ReplyDelete