Simple Genius (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 3)

“Pay her! She ain’t got no use for the money. I meant pay me.”

Horatio smiled. “Okay, I’ll pay you. Can you arrange for me to see her?”

“Well, seeing as how we got us a business arrangement I’ll go with you. Don’t want you leaving town without remembering the deal.”

“When can we go?”

“My man gets home at six. We can head out then. That way we get there after dinner. Old folks don’t like people interrupting their chow time.”

“Okay. What’s your grandmother’s name and the name of the nursing home?”

“Do I look stupid? You can follow me up in your car. I’ll take you to her room.”

“Fine. You say she has good and bad days. What does that mean exactly?”

“That exactly means that she’s losing her marbles. She’s got that demon stuff.”

Horatio cocked his head at this remark, worried that the young woman was totally nuts. Then he guessed what she meant. “You’re referring to dementia?”

“That’s it. So you got to roll the dice and see what comes up.”

“Well, thank you for your help, uh…”

“Linda Sue Buchanan. My friends call me Lindy, but you ain’t my friend so you just stick to Linda Sue for now.”

“You can call me Horatio.”

“That’s one weird-ass name.”

“Well, I’m one weird-ass guy. I’ll see you here at six o’clock. And by the way, Linda Sue, the little bundle of joy just puked on your shoe.”

He left her cursing and dragging her foot across the grass.

CHAPTER

24

SANDY WAS SITTING UP in bed looking much better. The nurse left them alone and Michelle drew next to the bed and took the older woman’s hand in hers.

“Okay, what the hell happened to you?” Michelle demanded.

Sandy smiled and gave a casual wave of her other hand, although the one holding Michelle’s tightened at the same time. “Oh, honey, it happens to me from time to time. Nothing to worry about. My old butt just hits a wall and everything sort of pops. They give me a little happy juice and I’m right as rain.”

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

“Absolutely.”

“I thought you’d had a seizure or something.”

“Now you see why I can’t hold down a job. And I think I would’ve made a hell of an airline pilot, don’t you?” She pantomimed using a PA system. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We’re about to begin our initial descent into hell and the person flying the plane, namely me, is about to freak out on you! So just hold on tight, you little bastards, while I try to lay this baby on the ground.” She gave a weak laugh and let go of Michelle’s hand.

“I’m sorry, Sandy. I really am.”

“Comes with the territory and I’m comfortable with that.”

Michelle hesitated. “I went into your room after they took you. I don’t know why, I guess I was just stunned. I heard someone else coming. I ducked behind the door and Barry came in.”

On this, Sandy sat up a little straighter. “Did he see you?”