Evil At Shore Haven. Alice Zogg
the ones needing multiple assistance reside on the ground floor. We have a staff of compassionate caregivers in the assisted living wing. Should you at some time in the future need special care, we’ll make sure that the transition and relocation to those living quarters will be made easy and smooth for you.”
Huber’s soon-to-be studio was a corner room with a view of the beach. The kitchenette appeared to be minuscule, but then she only planned to brew coffee or tea in it. She surveyed the empty space and tried to visualize a few pieces of furniture she had spotted in the storeroom as a possible fit. A glance into the bathroom met with her approval. Tub, sink, and toilet all looked squeaky clean. Then she went out onto the balcony and looked down to the ocean. She saw a yacht gliding over the calm sea in the distance. On shore, she observed a jogger parallel to the water’s edge and a couple of figures ambling slowly along the walkway between her building and the stretch of sand leading to the ocean. She thought of poor Mrs. Ralph and almost jumped, when the man standing behind her said, “The beach is our most sought-after asset!”
Later, as R. A. drove out of the facility’s underground garage, she thought, I’m in, and so far, no one has singled me out as an imposter.
At the same time Dave Beaulieu sat in his office and rehashed the orientation meeting he had just completed. The woman had been straightforward enough, yet, there was something about her that suggested a red flag. He couldn’t put his finger on it, though, and decided he was probably mistaken.
CHAPTER 4
Peter was still mad at his spouse and wanted nothing to do with her move. She purchased a cheap twin bed plus bedding, having it delivered, and Andi helped her with the rest of the move, mainly a few suitcases filled with things that would keep her going for about a month. She could have easily handled the luggage on her own but asked Andi along for comfort and company. It also seemed a good idea to familiarize the young woman with the territory, since she was the head investigator.
Besides the bed, Huber’s studio apartment now was furnished with a nightstand, a mirror-dresser, an Ottoman chair plus end table, and a 24” TV. Nothing matched, but the items were functional. There was a built-in wall safe, and after reading the instructions, she programed it with a new six-digit code. She then took her .25 pistol out of her purse and placed it into the safe.
Andi had followed her former boss to Ventura in the Harley-Davidson, and after settling into her apartment at Shore Haven, Huber took her on a tour of the grounds.
Before they headed out the studio door, she warned, “Don’t call me Mrs. Huber while on this assignment. I’ve listed you as a distant relative.”
“I’ll call you Auntie. Okay?”
“Perfect!”
Andi was captivated with the tennis court, the indoor swimming pool, and the spacious lounge, but what really blew her away was the playroom.
She exclaimed, “Holy Krewe! I’d be tickled pink if I were you, Auntie.”
The two men shooting pool halted their game and the blue-eyed one said, “The name’s Tom, and my buddy is Bill.” And addressing Huber he continued, “With whom do we have the pleasure?”
“I’m R. A., and Andi helped me move here.”
“Welcome!” Then he took in Andi’s unruly auburn hair, long legs clad in skinny jeans, leather jacket and cowboy boots. He beamed at her, saying, “We don’t see enough young things around here. You, my dear, are a real treat for sore eyes.”
“Thank you, sir!”
“Is that a motorcycle helmet hanging from your bag?”
“Yes, sir. I ride a Harley.”
“I’m impressed. And you’re a Southern Belle to boot! Tell me, what ‘holy’ something did you refer to when you first came in?”
“Oh that!” Embarrassed, she explained, “Sometimes I can’t help myself when I get excited. A Krewe is an organization that parades at Mardi Gras.”
Bill, who was bald and had an athlete’s body, did not say a word, but impatiently chalked his cue stick, antsy to get back to the game.
Huber apologized, “We didn’t mean to intrude. Good shooting to you both,” and she eased Andi out of the playroom.
Minutes later, they were strolling on the pathway along the senior community’s buildings to their right, and the beach on the left. They observed several people, presumably residents, promenading themselves or sitting on the property’s beachfront benches on that fine afternoon in April. The ocean scene was peaceful and tranquil. They soon engaged in shoptalk, taking advantage of their outdoor privacy.
Andi said, “Everything we’ve seen and heard so far is sweet and proper, and the place seems a haven, justifying its name.”
“I agree,” said Huber. “It will take time to dig underneath the surface. And if the digging gets me nowhere, you can assure the Ralphs that we tried. I’ll interview everyone concerned, without them realizing that they’re being interviewed.”
“You’re good at that! At my end, I’ll do a background check on each person, soon as you give me their names.”
“For starters, I can give you the names of the executive director, the in-house LVN nurse, and the front desk receptionist. Getting last names of residents might be a problem. The head honcho informed me the other day that they only go by their first names.”
Andi, full of confidence, stated, “You’ll think of somethin’, no doubt.” Then she said, “Best call or text me when you have info, not the other way around. I don’t want to interrupt talks you may have with suspects.”
“Strictly speaking, they’re not suspects yet. We don’t know whether any crimes have been committed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They had walked about half a mile and decided to turn around and head back to Shore Haven.
When they got to an unoccupied bench Andi said, “Let’s sit and enjoy the ocean view.” And pulling an iPad out of her touring bag, she suggested, “How about giving me those names now?”
Huber obliged with the names Dave Beaulieu, Bea Guinto, and Caitlyn Novark, spelling them out letter by letter.
Then she said, “If you want to stay for dinner, I’ll sign you in as a guest.”
“Thank you kindly, but I’d best be headin’ home. Oh, I almost forgot” - - she rummaged in her bag and dug out three bright-red skeins of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. “This should keep you busy camouflaging your purpose in this place.” she said.
Huber stared at the offering, then burst out laughing.
Before they parted Andi grinned and said, “I’ll leave you with the same advice you gave me when sending me off on undercover jobs: Live the role!”
CHAPTER 5
R. A. Huber moved in on a Tuesday. Bright and early on Wednesday morning, as she was about ready to head down to the dining room for breakfast, there was a knock at her door. She opened it and faced a young-looking Asian man who was actually 41 years old.
He pushed his glasses farther up his nose and said, “R. A.?”
“Yes. And you are?”
“Dr. Wang. May I come in?”
“Sure,” she said, letting him pass by her and closing the door behind him.
Since there was only one chair in her studio, and sitting on her bed seemed awkward, they both remained standing.
“I’m a physician with a medical practice in Ventura. I have committed to taking care of patients at Shore Haven. Every Wednesday morning, I come here to check on my patients.” He did his thing with the glasses again and continued, “My visit with you today is because you’re a new resident, and as such, I want to make you aware that I can