The Fallen Angels Book Club by R. Franklin James

Author:R. Franklin James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: crime, california, paralegal, bay area, white collar crime, white collar
Publisher: Camel Press
Published: 2013-04-24T16:00:00+00:00

I stopped by the senior home to see Marla before going to get the final Riddick signature. It was foggy and cold, as only a spring day in the Bay Area could be. After placing donuts in the kitchen, Marla was in the day room with a stack of catalogs in front of her. She looked tired, even as she tried to straighten in her seat. She was paler than usual and her eyes had circles under them.

“Hello there. Planning on making a purchase?”

“You’re here late.” She smiled warmly. “No, I’m not buying anything. One of the residents was looking for a memory card reader for his great-grandson’s camera. His eyesight’s not too good and I said I’d help him. Besides, I don’t think he knows what a card reader is.”

“I’m with him. I don’t know what one is, either.” I pulled up a folding chair and sat down next to her. “How do you know about all this stuff?”

“You’re too young to not keep up to date with technology.” She looked at me and shook her head. “I read newspapers and catalogs. You can learn a lot from catalogs. In just a few short words, they describe a product and its uses. Listen, ‘a USB 2.0 memory card reader is a camera accessory that helps to store photos until you can transfer them to your computer.’ ” She pushed her glasses up on her nose. “If I still don’t understand, I make a call.”

“A call? Who do you call?”

“Customer service, of course—the eight hundred number is free. I’ve got time on my hands and they get paid to answer questions. When I talk to a real helpful one, I even write a letter to their supervisor.” She took off her glasses and let them swing down on the cord draped loosely around her neck.

“Okay.” I made a mental note to come and keep Marla company more often. “Marla, you don’t look well. Are you all right?”

She sighed. “I’m just worried about Lily.”

“She mentioned the name Portia. Who’s Portia?”

Marla closed her eyes and shook her head. “Portia was her daughter; she was six when she died. Lily’s getting worse, I tell you. Something has to be done.”

“I could go to the police, but if I do, they’ll have to take things to their lawful conclusion. It could mean the end of the center.”

“If you don’t, it could mean the end of Lily.” Marla wet her lips. “You’re right. Maybe you could just let management know you know what they’re up to and they’d stop.”

I touched her hand. “I’d still have to identify you. I’m not here when the medications are given. How else would I know these things? Murray already suspects you’re the whistle blower. Besides, I’m not absolutely convinced she’s in on it.”

I was pulling Marla’s sweater around her. Joseph stood in the doorway looking at us. He didn’t back down from my stare. I didn’t say anything to Marla. It would only make her as paranoid as I was.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.