Chapter 27 Like Scales from the Eyes
LIKE SCALES FROM THE EYES
Monday after lunch saw them back on their way to Spartanburg.
George was still a bit unsure what to make of the weekend.
On the one hand, his mother had finally met Andi and hopefully saw that he wasn’t the devil, and Andi had made a lasting impression—not that George would have doubted that—and also managed to take some of her momentum.
On the other hand, his mother now had a firsthand impression of their circumstances and therefore more ammunition to line up.
His father had made it clear in his stoic way that he wasn’t happy with this relationship but would respect George’s decision.
Griff had texted him that he thought Andi was odd but nice, and Daniel was over the moon because he had finally met the man.
Andi himself didn’t show any signs of being upset, which George counted as a win. His family could be a bit much.
Shireen had called them in the morning, stating she hadn’t found out anything new but that there were also a few hundred people she still had to look into.
Andi’s idea to cast a wider net might still yield results, though in the meantime, they had decided to go back to Paradise Home for the Elderly once more to talk to the director, Shelby Delaine.
The plan was to go there then meet with DeCapristo, who was coming back to Spartanburg in the evening.
She had booked a room next to them at their usual hotel.
After the almost run-in with the wasps, none of them wanted to take any risks.
Ms. Delaine welcomed them into her office, gesturing at the two chairs in front of her desk.
“Detectives, it’s a pleasure. How can I help you? ”
From the way Andi was staring ahead, George knew his partner was receiving on a broader level than he would have liked.
As usual, he took over the conversation.
“Ms. Delaine, thank you for seeing us on such short notice. We wouldn’t have asked you to take time out of your busy schedule if it wasn’t important. ”
“Now you have me hooked, Detective Donovan.” She batted her lashes playfully. She was much more relaxed than during their last meeting.
“We wanted to ask if there were any other incidents—apart from Suzie Monahan—that might have left some of the residents or their families with a grudge?”
Shelby tapped her right index finger against her chin. “Hmm. I have to admit, nothing springs to mind. I’d have to think about it and maybe ask around. Though the fact that I don’t have an immediate answer is probably an answer in itself?”
George couldn’t stop the disappointment from flashing over his features, which prompted Shelby to get up and gesture to the wide window that faced into the lush garden. George followed to stand beside her.
“I’m sorry, detective. This is actually a pretty drama-free institution, despite the various stages of dementia and other illnesses our residents display.
We’re not a high-end place, but I’d like to say we are a good place to live out the rest of one’s life.
Most of the people here have loving families who visit regularly and care deeply.
Take Mrs. Byrnes, for example. Her daughter doesn’t have much time to come because she works so hard, but her granddaughter comes over at least once a week, always taking the bus because her mother doesn’t have a car.
” She gestured at two figures sitting next to the pond.
George recognized them as Tamika and Tammy Byrnes.
“Tammy is such a sweet girl, always taking care of her grandmother, bringing her little gifts and telling her funny stories. She was so upset when Suzie stole her grandmother’s necklace.
It took the staff some time to win back her trust.”
“How exactly did you find out about Suzie stealing? If you don’t mind me asking?” Andi’s voice sounded far away, almost dreamy. He was in way too deep.
“Hmm, that was a coincidence, really. I mean, we knew smaller items had gone missing, and we were aware that it was becoming a problem that couldn’t be explained by simple negligence anymore.
At that point, I was still actively avoiding thinking about it as theft because that would have inevitably led me to Suzie, and I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.
” This was understandable because Director Delaine was not only a fair woman but also a proud one who surely didn’t want to face the possibility that her judgment had been off.
“It was actually Tamika’s necklace that provided the breakthrough.
Or rather Tammy’s insistence to find the ‘meanie’ who stole her beloved Gran’s most treasured possession. ”
At the word ‘meanie,’ George’s alarm bells started ringing. He glanced at Andi, still sitting on his chair, who nodded slightly, confirming he had the same suspicion.
“We all tried to tell her it had probably just been misplaced, but she insisted that somebody had taken it, claimed she had seen it somehow and gave a description that vaguely resembled Suzie.” Shelby sighed. “After that, I had no choice left. And she was right.”
“I’m really sorry your kindness was betrayed like that.” George meant it. The nice people in this world were getting fewer and fewer, and seeing their goodwill abused always made George feel bad.
“It is what it is. I don’t regret it. Too much. I was trying to do what’s right, but life isn’t neat and certainly no fairy tale.” She returned to her desk. “Anyway, I’m going to talk to the staff to see if they can remember anything happening in the months leading up to Suzie’s dismissal.”
Since George was sure they already had what they had come for, he extended his hand to the director. “Thank you. We appreciate your help.”
“It’s fine. I’m sure Suzie’s husband wants to have clarity.”
Andi mumbled his goodbye, and as soon as they had left Miss Delaine’s office, George found a restroom where they could speak in private after he had closed the door.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Andi nodded. “Tammy Byrnes.”
“If she has the geschenk, it would explain why she could describe Suzie, even if only roughly. We know Jagger abused her and her mother, and I’m betting you if we show Mrs. Davert, aka HappyCitizenSomething a picture of her, she will confirm the young woman Isabelle Hopper wanted to throw out of the bus was Tammy.
And given Tamika’s unstable mental state, I’m sure she told her granddaughter things about her past she wouldn’t have otherwise. ”
Again, Andi nodded.
“You can’t feel her?”
“I can, and I can’t. It’s complicated.” Andi leaned against the tiled wall, his face haggard.
“I still only get glimpses, like before, impressions of somebody else. The difference is now I know with who to associate them. And I can follow a cluster to where she’s sitting now with Tamika.
Though I’m trying very hard not to make my presence known. Not sure how successful I am.”
“What should we do?” George was torn. A part of him wanted to confront Tammy, while the other was worried about Andi’s safety.
After all, they didn’t know much about Tammy Byrnes or how powerful she really was.
He could see Andi was thinking along the same lines.
Then, his partner squared his shoulders.
“Text Gelman and DeCapristo. Tell them we may have found the killer and to come here, but without making a fuss. I want this to end.”
After a short moment of hesitation, George did just that before he followed Andi outside into the garden.
Tammy and Tamika were sitting under a weeping willow close to the pond.
There were no other residents or guests close by, and to ensure that it stayed that way, George took a minute to talk to one of the nurses who was passing them just beyond the door.
She was a little startled by his request but agreed to keep the people inside until they were done.
Basic safety measures in place, they made their way to the grandmother and granddaughter.
Tammy turned when she heard them and smiled.
“Oh, I know you. Detectives. Look, I have a butterfly!” She held out her hand, and George saw a giant swallowtail sitting on her thumb.
A few common buckeyes were almost drunkenly flying around her head.
Tamika wasn’t reacting to them, but she, too, had butterflies dancing in the air around her.
“So beautiful!” Tammy was smiling happily.
“Yes, very beautiful.” George didn’t know what to say. How should he go about asking this smiling, happy young woman if she had killed several people?
Andi stepped next to him and held out his hand. Two of the buckeyes flew to him and sat down on his right palm.
Tammy’s eyes lit up. “Oooh, they like you! Do you like them?”
Another pair landed on Andi’s hand. “Yes. I like them too.” Andi lifted his hand, and all four butterflies flew up and landed on Tammy’s chest, on the bright pink flowers of her sundress. “Can you send them back to me?”
Tammy lowered her head in an attempt to see the butterflies.
Then she used the hand that wasn’t holding the swallowtail to shoo the buckeyes away.
They didn’t move. She waved harder, still no reaction.
She looked back up at Andi. “I’m sorry, they don’t want to fly.
” A beatific grin appeared on her face. “They like me too much!”
Andi widened his eyes. “No, Tammy, just send them to me. Don’t use your hands.”
The young woman cocked her head. “I don’t understand.”
One look at her face and George knew she really didn’t understand. He turned to Andi, but before he could say anything, the four buckeyes flew up and started circling his partner. Tammy clapped her hands and squealed with delight. “Look, they’ve come to you.”
Andi didn’t answer. His gaze was locked on Tamika, who was sitting in her wheelchair, wearing a sunflower yellow dress, staring into empty space.
“Tamika? Mrs. Byrnes?” No reaction.
“Oh, Nana has checked out for today. She can’t hear you.”
At that moment, George looked at the ground. It was moving.