The Voice of God by Larry Maness

Author:Larry Maness [Maness, Larry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mainly Murder Press
Published: 2013-10-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

According to the résumé Joan Hawkins handed Lino, she was fifty-eight, married with three grown children, trained in Alzheimer’s care and experienced as a live-in care provider. She listed references, past employers, other skills, like being able to drive a standard shift, and the fact that she lived close by in Truro.

Lino liked her immediately. He put her vitae aside and asked if she had any further questions of him.

“I can think of none,” she said pleasantly. “Besides, I don’t want to intrude on your time.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “Didn’t you say you had another appointment in a few minutes?”

“A charter,” Lino corrected. “I’m not interviewing anyone else for this position. If you’d like it, and you can work out a schedule with Colleen that provides the coverage Mother needs, the job is yours.”

“Thank you.” Mrs. Hawkins did not appear surprised. “I’m sure we can work out those details.”

“Excellent.” Lino felt as if a giant anchor had dropped from his neck. “I guess the only thing to do is go meet Mother and Colleen.”

Lino stood and opened the cottage door. He followed Mrs. Hawkins out and sprang ahead to let her into the red house, where Colleen waited with a grim look.

“What’s the problem?” Lino asked, his heart sinking.

“It’s Katharine.” Colleen rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.

“Don’t tell me.”

“I’m afraid so. She’s barricaded herself in your old bedroom again.”

“What for this time?”

“She said I’ve turned against her.”

“What?”

“You, too. She doesn’t want to see either one of us again,” Colleen said. “You and I are now the enemy.”

“Where’d she get that crazy idea?” Lino asked, exasperated.

“From Mrs. Grafton.”

“Oh, Christ,” Lino said, wishing he hadn’t said that in front of Mrs. Hawkins. He turned to her. “I’m sorry about this. My mother’s twisted a few things in her mind. Mrs. Grafton was a neighbor who hasn’t been around in years.”

“It’s perfectly understandable,” Mrs. Hawkins said. “Maybe if I went up and had a chat with your mother. A different voice sometimes works wonders.”

A new confidence swelled inside Lino. “Would you?”

Mrs. Hawkins grinned broadly. “I can give it a try.”

“That would be wonderful, if you would,” Lino said.

Colleen led Mrs. Hawkins to the stairs, and they both went up together. Lino stayed back, wishing he could somehow trade places with his California sister who enjoyed the insulation from family problems that distance and money provide. What selfish pleasantry was entertaining Carol while their mother stomped on the floor and shouted for everyone to go away?

Lino took Katharine’s loud and angry advice and stepped out onto the driveway. The morning sun shone like a laser in the windless air. Across the street on the beach children chased after seagulls while parents trotted along behind, taking pictures. Farther out, couples waded in the shallow water, enjoying the serenity only warm sun and sand create.

Upstairs, through an open window, Mrs. Hawkins could be heard coaxing Mrs. Cardosa. Mrs. Hawkins’ soft, yet strong, voice reminded Lino of someone trying to reason with a child, but Katharine would not be reasoned out of her mood.

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