Page 94 of Pretty Poison

“You know who,” she replied. “The one you’re investigating.”

“Helen Girard?” he asked. “What did she do?”

“Put the moves on my man.”

Rocky’s brow furrowed. “How? She’s on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean.”

“The hell she is,” Queen Bea said. “Harvey hurt his hip while—”

“I get the idea, Nana. Are you telling me you’ve seen Helen Girard this weekend? The nurse with the pretty white hair and pale blue eyes.”

“I saw her five minutes ago when she collected Harvey for his next rehab session. I’m pretty sure the asshole is milking this for the extra attention.”

“I’m on my way, Nana.”

“That’s my boy.” She hung up, leaving Rocky to stare at his phone.

Asher placed his hand at the small of Rocky’s back and urged him forward. “Is everything okay?” he asked as he steered the cart around a group of people looking at the rows of puppies and kittens available for adoption.

“I’m not sure,” Rocky said, then repeated the conversation he’d had with his nana.

“I thought you said Helen was on a trip with Tess.”

“Tess said she was going with her dear friend. I thought she meant Helen. I mean, there are photographs of the woman mixed in with Tess’s children and grandchildren.”

Asher quirked a brow. “Dear friends can sometimes imply a deeper connection than friendship, especially among the older generations. They don’t say boyfriend and girlfriend. They refer to their love interests as dear or special friends.”

“Who did Tess go on the cruise with?” Rocky asked.

“I’m sure her friend Helen can tell you.”

“Yes, but will she?”

Rocky left Asher and Fiona with Queen Bea, then followed his nana’s directions to locate the onsite rehabilitation facility. He was initially suspicious when Nana said Harvey was getting physical therapy on a Sunday, but Queen Bea had reminded him how easily senior citizens got injured.

“Someone is always falling around here,” she’d said.

“Is that what happened to your friend, Harvey?” Asher had asked.

Rocky had shaken his head. “You don’t want to go there.”

Queen Bea had still been cackling when Rocky walked away after coaxing a promise from his nana that she’d be on her best behavior.

Rocky found the rehabilitation center quickly enough. No one was in the waiting room, and the glass walls separating it from the facility were frosted. He tried the doors, but they were locked. Rocky could tell the lights were on, but he couldn’t confirm if Helen and Harvey were inside. The only options were to take a seat and wait to see if they came out, bang on the doors, or track down another nurse who might be able to unlock the doors for him.

He decided to wait a bit since plan B would make him look like an idiot and plan C involved a lot of questions. His patience paid off because Helen and Harvey came through the double doors a few minutes later. Helen halted so fast that Harvey tipped forward in the wheelchair.

“Easy, doll,” Harvey said. “I’m not wearing a seat belt.”

“Sorry, Mr. Marks,” Helen said without looking away from Rocky. He saw recognition in her eyes but not fear or guilt.

“I know you,” Harvey said, pointing a bony finger at Rocky. “You’re Beatrice’s boy.”

“And I know you,” Rocky replied. “I also know why you need physical therapy.”

The older man’s cheeks turned pink, and Helen chuckled.

“I bet he’s here to find out what your intentions are toward his grandmother,” Helen teased Harvey.