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.