Annie reached over. “Here”—she waved toward Turner’s purse—“I’ll set it down next to mine.”
“That’s not necessary,” Turner muttered, hanging her bag on the back of her chair.
Annie tried one more ruse. “You don’t want people bumping into it.” She offered an open palm.
“I suppose you’re right.” Turner handed Annie her bag. Annie placed it between hers and her thigh.
Annie played out the scheme just as Myra had done. First some small talk. Turner was hesitant to talk about the other residents, but Annie turned on the charm, and Turner shared her misgivings about a couple whom she thought were “living in sin.”
Annie nearly burst out laughing but held it back, causing champagne to go up her nose. It was better than spewing it across the table and into Turner’s face, although that would have been much more fun.
Turner nattered on about casino night. Annie knew they also held them in Florida. She wondered how much Sunnydale skimmed off the top. Probably topandbottom.
Annie caught a couple in the corner glance in their direction.
“I think those people are trying to get your attention.” It was a lie, but it would force Turner to twist around.
As Turner moved to get a better view, Annie made the switch, using the sleight of hand she had mastered so well. Turner gave a slight nod. The couple nodded back, but it was obvious they had no idea who she was. Annie suspected Turner spent most of her time in the other building and was forced into double duty as a rental agent.
Dinner was much better than Annie had expected. It was fine cuisine. The other guests also appeared to be enjoying their meals. She wondered what was going to happen if the place shut down. At least the residents were only renting and didn’t have all their money invested. But that was another thing the Sisters would have to iron out. The only people who should be punished are the ones inflicting the pain, suffering, and deception. She would mention that during their next call.
They ordered profiteroles for dessert. Annie had a cappuccino. She was going to need the caffeine. When they were finished, Annie nodded to their server, who brought a leather portfolio to the table. Annie added the tip, signed the check, and retrieved her card. She saw a sign of relief cross Turner’s face.
“Thank you, Annie. I appreciate it.”
“Thank you, Janet. It will be nice to know I have a friend on campus.” Annie gave her the warmest smile.
Janet’s mood lifted a tad more. Annie’s six-month deposit would cover some of the shortfall. People weren’t dying fast enough at the care center, and when they did, they would only last another three weeks before she would have to call the coroner. That would end the extra month of social security, but once the death certificate was issued, they could collect the patient’s life insurance and the rest of their estate.
The two women left the restaurant and said their good nights. Annie got into her scooter and waved as Turner walked to the parking lot.
Annie slipped into her black bodysuit and black slip-on sneakers. A few minutes later, Kathryn was at her door in a similar outfit. Kathryn wasn’t a fan of the ninja look, especially as a woman of her size. It wasn’t that she was overweight. She was simply a “big girl,” tall and broad. But she knew it was part of the uniform when they had to pull maneuvers like the one they had in mind.
“Ready?”
“Ready,” Annie replied.
They decided to have Kathryn drive. Their first stop was the yard where the dump trucks were parked. They left their vehicle about a hundred yards from the fence. Neither had night goggles, so each of them opted for long branches to brush the ground surface before they treaded on it. When they got to the fence, Kathryn gave Annie a sideways look.
“I don’t think I can get myself over that thing.” Kathryn was strong, but not necessarily lithe.
She made a stirrup with her hands. Annie grabbed the fence, stepped into Kathryn’s open hands, and pulled herself up and over. Her pole-dancing exercises had certainly paid off. She crept around each truck, snapping photos and video. As she approached the front, she noticed scratch marks, and some stippling across the front of the bumper of one of the trucks. She was moving too quickly to take a closer look. The photos would have to do. And they usually did. The equipment they used was on the cutting edge of electronics, and often not available to the general public.
Kathryn noticed the beam of a flashlight appear. She made the sound of an owl as a warning to Annie. There wasn’t time for Annie to haul herself back over the fence, so she rolled under the truck, just as Yoko and Maggie were forced to do. If this facility operated the same way as the other—and there would be no reason why it wouldn’t—it would be a watchman on foot, walking the perimeter of the yard. Annie huddled against one of the large tires and waited for the light and footsteps to vanish. When she was confident she was clear to move, she rolled out from under the truck. She dashed and leaped toward the fence, catapulting herself a few feet above the ground. She rolled her body over the top, and Kathryn helped her to the ground. They hotfooted it back to the car, sent the photos and video to the War Room, and continued to the next leg of their maneuver.
On their way from the yard, they passed a narrow gravel road. “Do you suppose this is the back road where our ‘gumshoe detectives’ saw the car pull in and out?” Annie rolled down her window. “Pull over. I want to check something.”
She opened a special app on her phone that had an aerial view of where they were. She turned the screen toward Kathryn. “Look familiar?”
“Sure does. Plus, it will make it easier for us to get close to the building. We won’t have to crawl or climb. If anybody asks, I’ll tell them I left something in my cubicle.”
Annie abruptly grabbed Kathryn’s arm. “Who looks after the patients at night?”
“They are on a monitor. If something goes wrong, Turner gets the alarm.”
“Then she must live close by,” Annie noted. “We need to make haste, as in now!”
Kathryn sped down the gravel road and parked behind the building. Annie jumped out of the car and dashed ahead. She slid the key card into the slot; it buzzed, then unlocked. They clicked past the inside door, and then quickly moved past the workstation and the few patients, who were practically comatose. Then they passed by Aunt Dottie’s room. She was asleep in her bed. “We’re going to have to figure out a plan to get her out of here,” Kathryn said, nodding in Dottie’s direction.
