Valerie Wolzien - Death In Duplicate

Book 16 in the Susan Henshaw series, 2005

Hartford Daily News

July 14, 2003

Perry Island, Connecticut

This small community was shaken over the weekend by the news that three residents of the Perry Island Care Center, the only nursing facility located on the island, have died in a suspicious manner over the past few months.

When questioned, a spokesman for the local police department admitted that there has been official interest in the deaths, but declined to discuss further details until their investigation is complete.

The owners of the facility were unwilling to comment other than to say that their family had provided the best care anywhere for almost nine decades and they planned to continue doing so to the best of their abilities.

TWO PEOPLE STARED AT THE FRONT-PAGE STORY. THEY WERE both frowning. The young woman whose red braids were wrapped around her head in an attractive but decidedly unfashionable style spoke first. This is terrible.

She had spoken quietly, but her companion didnt follow her lead.

Yeah. More for me than you though. His hair, spiky and black, contrasted dramatically with his pale skin and light azure eyes.

Her eyes flicked to his face. Why? Why should this affect you more than anyone else in the family?

Dont look at me like that. I didnt kill anybody. Not that anyone is going to believe me.

Why not? Her voice rose and her anxiety was unmistakable. Youre clean. Youre going to meetings. Youve gotten your life together. Why should anyone suspect you of anything?

He brushed his hair off his forehead with a tattooed hand. Yeah. Right. Reformed junkie-just what the police are looking for. Youre nuts if you think Im hanging around to take the rap for this crap-

But you cant leave! Theyll think youre running away, that youre guilty.

He shrugged his thin shoulders. Theyll think it anyway.

But where are you going to go? How are you going to earn a living?

Who knows? Ill manage. A smile appeared on his face, transforming his dour expression, and his companion couldnt help but smile in return. You know me. Babe magnet. Theres lots of babes out there and one of them is gonna be lucky enough to take care of me. Maybe Ill find a rich old woman looking for a thrill.

But youll keep in touch? Youll let me know youre okay?

Let you know Im clean, you mean.

Thats not what I said. But her denial came too quickly and they both knew it was exactly what she meant.

THE DAY SUSAN HENSHAW BECAME A GRANDMOTHER STARTED out badly.

My cell phone is broken, she announced, giving the little silver disk one last shake.

Susan, its barely six AM. Its much, much too early to be calling anyone. Besides, theres a perfectly good phone on your nightstand. What do you need your cell phone for? Her husband rolled over and pulled his head out from under a large down pillow.

Jed, its April eighth! The baby is due! Any minute now Stephen could be calling to tell us that Chrissy is in the hospital giving birth! Susan jumped out of bed. Her long cotton nightgown billowed behind her as she stalked across the Aubusson carpet, smacking her phone with the palm of her hand and frowning.

Arent you the attractive woman who was telling me just last night that first babies are rarely born on time so we shouldnt get excited too early?

Rarely born on time does not mean never born on time! And I dont want to miss the call! Susan yelled from the large walk-in closet she and her husband shared.

Youre not going to miss anything. Theres a phone right by the bed! he pointed out again, abandoning the idea of getting any more sleep and sitting up.

Susan reappeared wearing a navy sweat suit, a huge stuffed dog clasped in her arms. Do you think this might be a mistake? Is it scary? Do you think the baby will like it? she asked, ignoring his statement.

Clue certainly doesnt. The Henshaws golden retriever had climbed into bed the second Susan left, settling down into a warm spot. One of the mildest of dogs, Clue was staring at the toy and growling softly. And to be honest, I dont understand why a baby who is going to live with two huge, breathing bullmastiffs would want a dog made of fake fur.

Susan sighed. Im hoping Chrissy and Stephen will decide that a baby is more than enough work and find new homes for Rock and Roll, she explained, referring to the humongous dogs that had been a wedding present from her daughters in-laws.

Chrissy and Stephen love those dogs.

I know. But theyre a lot of work. And Chrissy is going to be so busy with the baby and Stephens going to have a new job soon and theyre really going to have to find a bigger apartment once the baby begins crawling around, and

And you and Clue would prefer those dogs to vanish.

Without a doubt. Anyway, Susan said, Rock and Roll arent whats worrying me right now. Im worried that Stephen wont be able to get through to my cell. I suppose I could stay home by the phone all day, but I did have plans.

So take my cell phone and do what you have to do. Ill be at the office and Stephen can call there and then I can call you.

But Susan was still involved in her own thoughts. Or maybe he could e-mail me on my Cli, she muttered, picking a small rectangle off her dresser and flipping it open. Do you think hell have access to an online computer in the maternity ward?

Its always possible, but-

And he could certainly leave a voice mail message. Susan sat down in a window seat and pulled on her running shoes.

Yes, but-

I suppose I shouldnt worry so much. The baby probably wont be born today anyway. Ill buy a new cell phone at the mall this afternoon.

You might just remember to plug your old one in tonight. Jed was staring at the small screen on Susans phone.

I plugged it in!

Yes, you did. Now Jed was kneeling on the floor beside their king-size bed. You plugged your phone into the charger. But tonight you might try plugging the charger into the wall outlet. He waved her unconnected charger in the air.

Oh, I thought I had. Well, at least I wont have to buy another phone. I have enough to do today.

What are you planning?

Well, Im going to walk Clue and then meet Kathleen for breakfast after she drops her kids off at school. Then were going shopping. We have a long list of things to buy. Were going to the bookstore first because its really never too early to begin caring about reading. And Im dying to buy some books for the baby. And I might pick up a few mysteries for myself at the same time. Then were heading to Born Yesterday to look at their baby quilts. I just wish I knew whether to buy blue or pink. She stopped talking and looked up at her husband.

Dont you think its a little odd that Chrissy and Stephen dont want to know the sex of their baby? I mean, theyre usually such a modern couple and the technology is available and it would be much easier to shop for the baby if we knew its sex. Besides picking out names-

I cant say I disagree with you, but its their decision, not ours.

Well, because we dont know what sex the baby is, Kathleen and I are going to pick out two quilts-one blue, one pink. Then we can call the store when the baby is born and theyll have the appropriate one personalized once we know the babys name. And they have the sweetest mobiles. I was thinking of picking out two to match the quilts, of course. And the dry cleaner is just around the corner from there and I have to pick up the baby afghan that I made for Chrissy-its being cleaned so that I can take it down for her to use for her own baby-its yellow so its fine for a girl or a boy. And the jewelry store is a few blocks away from the cleaners. Ill pick up the earrings I ordered for Chrissy and talk to the owners about a charm to add to Mothers bracelet-although well have to know the babys name to finalize that, too She took a deep breath. And then were going to go to Healthy Home, that new ecological housewares store that everyone has been talking about, and see what sort of cleansers they have for the babys room. And for our rugs. They need cleaning soon, Jed, and I dont want the rug cleaner using anything that might make the baby ill when he-or she-starts to crawl. And then-