Chapter Sixteen The Next Phase
Chapter Sixteen
The Next Phase
Arizona
Before Annie drove over to Sunnydale, she phoned Theresa, introduced herself, and invited her to meet later in the afternoon.
The next steps were to find out what was behind the heavily guarded door and get a copy of Dottie’s medical records. Once that was done, they could track down the culprits and discharge the justice they most likely deserve, rescuing Aunt Dottie in the process.
Annie pulled into the main entrance, rolled down the driver’s window, and peeked over her round Saint Laurent sunglasses. “Hello. I have an appointment with a Ms. Turner.”
Annie was baffled when she was told she would be meeting with Nurse Ratched. Maybe she wasn’t really a nurse. Maybe she was simply the brute that ran things. She was about to find out.
The security guard made the obligatory call, nodded, gave Annie instructions, and pushed the button that opened the gate. Annie chuckled to herself. Anyone in a Range Rover could slam through that piece of wood hanging on a hinge. She supposed it made people feel more secure.
When she pulled in front of the main entrance, a valet greeted her. “Welcome to Sunnydale, Ms. Dresden.”
“Thank you.” She floated out of her car like any celebrity would. The young man scurried to the front door and opened it for her.
“Ms. Turner will be with you shortly.”
Annie entered the luxurious lobby. The sound of Native American flute music floated through the air. A perky woman behind a long, stone counter greeted her.
“Please have a seat, Ms. Dresden. Ms. Turner is on her way. She asked that I apologize for her delay.”
“No problem. I have loads of time.” She flashed a wide grin.
Several minutes later, a brutelike woman barreled toward her. “I am so sorry to keep you waiting. I have a new hire, and she doesn’t seem to know how to follow instructions.”
That would be Kathryn. Annie laughed to herself. “No worries.” Annie noticed Turner was not wearing a nurse’s uniform. Instead, she wore a sleeveless smock that was a tad too tight. She’d ask Kathryn later what Turner wore in the care unit.
“The grounds are beautiful,” Annie commented.
“Yes, we are very committed to maintaining the landscape, and all the other amenities here at Sunnydale. I understand you are interested in one of our villas?”
Annie and Myra agreed they would follow the same script. “Yes. I’d like to stay on the premises for a few days to get a feel for the place. Would that be possible?”
“Of course!” Turner was actually pleasant.
“I can arrange for you to stay in the model I am about to show you. Shall we?” Turner motioned for Annie to follow her through the massive lobby that led to the outdoor palazzo.
It was almost identical to the Florida version, except it had more of a Southwestern feel to it.
Turner pointed out the small shops, hairdresser, barber, shoemaker, and jewelry store.
Jewelry. Interesting. She made a mental note to ask Myra if there was also one in Florida.
Just as had happened with Myra’s experience, an attendant drove them in a golf cart to the far side of the complex where the villas were located.
Annie could barely contain herself thinking how her souped-up version could blow past the rig they were riding in.
Annie listened intently while Turner pointed out the tennis and pickleball courts and their prized golf course.
When they arrived at the enclave of luxury single-family villas, Turner pulled out a set of keys and opened the massive front door.
“It’s on a pressure sensor. You barely need to touch it. ”
“Everything is so high-tech these days,” Annie said in awe.
“We want to provide every comfort available. No need to struggle with a door when your hands are full. Am I right?”
“Indeed.”
Turner gave Annie a tour, pointing out more amenities, the lanai, patio, bathrooms, and laundry room. She also explained all the services that were available.
“Do you think I can send for my things and stay tonight?”
Turner was taken aback. “We must fill out the appropriate paperwork first.”
“Of course. Just tell me where to sign.” Annie could see that Turner was chomping at the bit.
“Splendid. Let’s go back to the main office, and we can get you settled.”
“Wonderful. I hope you can also make a few suggestions as to how I can keep myself entertained.” As if Annie needed to be entertained!
The two women climbed back into the cart. Annie would have sworn the attendant pushed the accelerator to the max. Either she wanted to get out of the heat, get rid of Turner, or was told to beat feet to the office.
When they returned to the main building, Annie could see Turner was moving quicker than she had been earlier. She ushered Annie into a simply furnished office. “Please take a seat. Can I get you anything?”
“Do you have any sparkling water?”
“Yes. Give me a minute.” Turner handed Annie a folder with a brochure and several pages of legalese. “Look these over. I’ll be right back.”
Annie thumbed through the information. It was identical to Myra’s.
She wondered if Turner was going to give her the “we are having an open house this weekend” routine.
Sure enough, when Turner returned, she announced the open house, all the interest in the villas, and suggested Annie put down a deposit so she wouldn’t lose the villa, should she decide to stay.
“Of course. I completely understand.” She pulled out her new fake checkbook, with the fake bank information.
The trick was to get their mission done before Monday, when the real banks were open.
She didn’t want to offer a promissory note, just in case the two (bad) sisters discussed their latest conquests.
It could cause a few red flags. Two new members with promissory notes?
Not a good idea. It was smart that Charles suggested a phony account “for an even phonier account.”
Annie eyed Turner’s lanyard with the key card hanging around her neck. She had to figure out a way to swap it with another one and hand it off to Kathryn. Then an idea came to her. “Janet. You don’t mind if I call you Janet, do you?”
“Not at all.”
“Since I’m new here, would you care to join me for dinner tonight? Then you can tell me all about Sunnydale.”
Turner looked baffled. No one had ever asked her out to dinner. “Well, yes, I suppose I could. If it wouldn’t be an imposition.”
“No imposition. I would greatly appreciate your advice. Just let me know what time and where.”
Turner thought for a moment. “I’ll make a reservation at Chez Michel, our four-star restaurant on the premises.”
“Wonderful. I read the reviews.”
“Yes, people who don’t even live here wait for weeks for a reservation.” Turner was delighted with the prospect of doing an extended sales pitch to the new client. “How about six? I have a change of clothes in my office.”
“Perfect.” Annie smiled. Now Annie had to do three things.
Get a key card, swap it with Turner’s, and get Turner’s real card to Kathryn.
The first part was easy. She’d get Kathryn’s when she got off work.
Annie imagined Turner wouldn’t be wearing hers at dinner, so she assumed Turner would keep it in her purse.
Where Turner placed her purse during dinner would determine how Annie would make the switch.
Turner gave Annie the keys to the villa and hustled through the paperwork.
Then she arranged for a golf cart to be sent to Annie’s place, while Annie phoned the hotel and asked for them to have her suitcase sent over.
Before she left the hotel, she anticipated staying at Sunnydale and kept her suitcase packed and ready to go.
Turner walked Annie to the main entrance where her car was waiting. “See you at six.” Turner smiled and waved.
On her way to her villa, Annie sent Kathryn a text:
MEET ME AT MY PLACE AS SOON AS YOU CLOCK OUT.
When Annie arrived at her villa, she opened her laptop and posted some notes on the mainframe, letting everyone know she signed the paperwork, arranged dinner with Turner, and would be meeting with Kathryn at 4:45.
She went into as much detail as she could provide for the switch.
Once Kathryn got hold of the master key, she would be able to enter the mysterious door.
Thanks to Izzie, Charles and Fergus were able to hack into both of Sunnydale’s CCTV and set up dummy scenes for the cameras to view.
Kathryn’s workspace would appear to be empty, and the corridor with the patients would stream fake videos from earlier that day.
After Annie uploaded her notes, she phoned Theresa and asked her to meet somewhere off campus. Too many sightings of Theresa after Aunt Dottie “passed” might create some unwelcomed inquiries. Theresa suggested the café where Henry had brought her and Frida two days before.
“Perfect. See you at four o’clock.” Annie ended the call and waited for her belongings to arrive from the hotel.
She fetched the extra wig from her luggage and stashed it in her tote.
Theresa was going to have to go undercover, even if she had the same hairdo as Annie.
A scarf or headband could change the way it looked.
At three-thirty, she left the complex and arrived at the café.
A woman around fifty was seated at a corner table.
Annie looked in her direction. The woman smiled as Annie approached. “Theresa?”
“Yes!” she said breathlessly. “It is so good to meet you.”
Annie sat across from her. “I don’t have a lot of time. You should be happy to know that your Aunt Dottie is still alive. We have one of our people on the inside and saw the ring up close.”
Theresa looked baffled. “I don’t understand what is happening.”
“It’s not very clear to us, either, but we are discovering new information every day. I am going to ask you to wear this.” Annie pulled the wig from her bag and handed it to her under the table. “Once we unpeel a few more layers of this onion, we are going to need your help.”
“My help?” Theresa gasped. “What on earth can I do?”
“Again, we don’t have a lot of details. I understand you have befriended two residents of Sunnydale.”
“Yes. Henry and Frida. Wonderful people.”
“And a little mischievous, from what I’ve heard.”
Theresa laughed out loud. “That’s an understatement.”
“We might need their help, as well. Can you trust them?”
“Absolutely. They want to know what the heck is going on as much as I do.”
“Excellent. I have to get going. Keep your eyes and ears open. If you plan on going to Sunnydale for any reason, please wear the wig. We don’t know who is on which side, and we don’t want anyone to recognize you. And wear a headband or scarf.”
“Got it.” Theresa moved the wig from her lap to her bag.
Annie drove back to Sunnydale as fast as the law allowed. She spotted Kathryn approaching. She was no longer in uniform and was wearing a broad-brim hat. One could not be too cautious under the weird circumstances.
Annie quickly unlocked her door, and both women dashed inside.
“What’s the latest?” Kathryn asked.
“Our Nurse Ratched seems to be playing multiple roles. Not only is she in charge of the long-term care unit, but she is also the rental agent.”
“Talk about keeping the organization lean,” Kathryn said, and smirked. She took a moment to look around. “Nice digs.”
“That’s one thing they didn’t lie about,” Annie said.
Annie discussed her plan with Kathryn. “After dinner, you and I will meet up and see what is on the other side of that door.” She went on to say that Fergus and Charles rigged the CCTV so it would show a long loop of previously recorded video footage.
“Whoever is watching won’t be able to figure it out for a few hours, if ever.
From what you told me, there is no activity over there. ”
“Correct.”
“What about the Cheshire Cat receptionist?”
“From what I can figure out, they get a volunteer to work the front desk when they have visitors, which seems rarely.”
“So that’s why they told Theresa she had to make an appointment. They had to find someone to stand behind the counter.”
“That would be my guess. There was no one there all day today.”
“And what about the orderly Theresa mentioned?”
“No sign of anyone else.”
“So, from what you gather, they staff the place when someone is visiting.” Annie furrowed her brow.
“Seems that way,” Kathryn agreed.
“Then we won’t have to worry about being disrupted.”
“We can always go to Plan B.”
Annie tilted her head. “Which is what?”
“Run like hell!” Kathryn let out a boisterous laugh. Once she regained her composure, she asked, “What is our goal for tonight?”
“Inspect the premises. Find out what is behind the door. Once we do that, then we can devise our next move.”
“Alright!” Kathryn gave Annie a high-five. “See you later.” Kathryn opened the front door, looked in both directions, then quickly made her way to her vehicle.