Page 99 of Too Old for This
Now I’m ready.
The afternoon is sunny and bright, and the Harmony is mostly empty. No one wants to be indoors on a weekend like this. Housekeeping has already come and gone. I rip apart the bed and towels, use the soap, and leave water splattered on the bathroom counter.
From room service, I order a slice of chocolate cake and coffee. Sometimes, only sugar and caffeine will do. Then I pick up Norma’s phone.
Burke:How did it go?
Burke:Hey there…
Burke:Everything okay?
I bet he isn’t worried about Norma’s safety. He is worried about this plan of his going awry. For him, this is a chance to correct his biggest failure.
The same could be said about me.
Norma:I’m here. I’m fine.
The blue dots appear in an instant.
Burke:How did it go with Tula?
Norma:He said there were a lot of things he couldn’t tell me before.
Burke:About Plum?
Norma:No, about Lottie.
Burke:What about her?
I pause for a couple of minutes. My room service is here, and I stop to fix my coffee and take a bite of cake.
Burke:Hello?
Norma:He said Kelsie did some surveillance on Lottie after Plum disappeared.
Burke:And?
Norma:All they saw was an old woman who couldn’t have done this.
Burke:You’ve got to be kidding.
Norma:He said she’s too frail. I told you she uses a walker now, right?
Burke:She’s faking it.
Norma:Tula doesn’t believe that.
Burke:I told you they were stupid. Didn’t I tell you that?
Norma:You did.
Burke:I’m so glad you contacted me. Doesn’t sound like you’re getting any help down there.
Norma:Yes. I trust you. And I have a surprise.
Burke:A good one, I hope.
Norma:I’m having dinner with her tonight.
