Still no response.
Addison rolled her eyes. “We don’t have all day, Dylan. I need to go find some Wrangler butts and more coffee.”
“Mrs. Rogers,” I said louder.
Addison stomped hard on the floor, clapping her hands.
Mrs. Rogers startled and then lookedup at us. “Oh, hello there. I didn’t hear you come in. It’s a bit early for lunch orders, isn’t it? Oh well, I’ll take a pastrami sandwich on rye with a pickle, and be sure you slather enough mayo on there to soften the bread up good. My chompers ain’t what they used to be.” She pointed to the teeth sitting in a cup of liquid on top of the counter.
Addison’s eyes bugged out.
I stifled a laughand drew closer to the elderly woman. “I see that, but we’re not here from the kitchen. We came to talk to you about the thefts.”
“The thefts?” she asked.
“Yes ma’am. I’m Dylan James and this is my partner Addison Allen. We’re private investigators. My dad said you were recently burglarized and some jewelry was stolen. Can you tell us more about that?”
She set her book down on the nightstand.I made the mistake of glancing at the cover, which showed some scantily clad couple bending uncomfortably over a rock formation as they made out in the wilderness. We were in my home town, but clearly this was someone who could better relate to Addison. I took a step back and motioned my friend forward.
“I don’t have any jewelry, hon.” Mrs. Rogers eyed her hand longingly. “I used to wear a weddingring, but I came down with the gout a few years back and my hands swelled up somethin’ fierce. The doc had to cut it off.”
“So you didn’t have any jewelry stolen recently?” Addison asked, looking over the notes I’d taken this morning. The tightness around her mouth told me her patience was wearing thin. “A necklace, maybe?”
Mrs. Rogers’s hand went to her breastbone and her eyes turned sorrowful.“I forgot all about that old thing. It was a cameo...came from my momma, passed down from her momma. The thing’s been in my family for years. I didn’t have any daughters to pass it down to, just a son, and I don’t much care for his wife. No granddaughters either. But my first great-granddaughter is due any day now, and my momma’s necklace has gone missing. I never take it off, so I don’t knowwhat could have happened to it.”
Addison’s expression softened as she listened to the tale. “Can we help you search for it?” she asked.
Mrs. Rogers shrugged, looking helpless. “I don’t know what good it will do, hon. I threw such a fit when it first disappeared that the entire staff was in here turning the place upside down. No luck.”
“Do you think someone stole it?” I asked.
“That’s whatone of the nurses asked. She said jewelry has been coming up missing lately. She had me file a police report, but these cops don’t do a dang thing but sit up at Jerry’s, drinking coffee.”
“Jerry’s?” Addison asked.
“The restaurant next to Safeway. It’s been closed for a few years now,” I replied.
“I’m sure those lazy good-for-nothings have found a new watering hole,” Mrs. Rogers grumbled.
I was shocked by her indignant behavior, but Addison’s jaw tightened in determination. “Forget those cops,” she said, pulling a small notebook and pen from her purse. “We’re gonna figure out who took your necklace and get it back to you, Mrs. Rogers. Now, can you tell us who all was in your room on the day it disappeared?”
“Oh, hon, I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast,” Mrs. Rogersadmitted. “But there was a gentleman here to look at the swamp cooler that day. I remember on account of him being a real looker.”
“Did you get his name?” I asked.
“I was far too busy inspecting what his jeans did to his rear end every time he bent over. I ain’t never seen a butt that tight before.”
I covered my face and turned away, unable to handle the situation. Thankfully, I had Addison.She stepped up to the plate and said, “So...nice firm butt. What else can you tell me about him?”
We got the details about the blond cowboy wearing a wife-beater, jeans, and boots, who tinkered with the AC unit and took off.
“He wasn’t close enough to touch you?” I asked, wondering how anyone could have gotten the necklace off her without her noticing.
“Are you kidding me?” she asked. “ThinkI’d let a young buck like that come into my room andnotask him for a little shoulder massage? Shoot, I haven’t worn underwear in days, just waiting for him to come back.”
That was about all I could handle. I thanked Mrs. Rogers for her time and headed out, dragging the giggling Addison behind me.
“Ohmigod,” I said once we were out of earshot.
“Right?” Addison asked. “I totally want to beher when I get old. I can’t wait to see who we get to interview next!”
I sighed, knowing this was gonna be a long day. “Let’s head to Grandma’s room. I think I’ll let you take the lead on this, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind,” Addison assured me. “I got your back.”
I grimaced. “Thanks, buddy.”
