Chapter 8
“Prissy’s current situation is even worse than falling asleep behind the wheel and leaving her water running?” Morgan asked.
“I’ve solved the mystery about why she didn’t have power at her house.” Elizabeth picked up a stack of papers sitting on the end table. “I got to thinking about it, and with her consent, Ben went to her house to get her mail. She and I went through it.”
Morgan picked up the top sheet and scanned the headline. “This is a water shutoff notice.”
“Prissy hasn’t been paying her bills—not her water, not her electric. Her property taxes are past due.”
“Is she low on funds?”
“I don’t know. When I asked her about it, she insisted everything is paid and current, and has no idea why she doesn’t have power even though it says right here it was shut off for non-payment.”
Morgan rifled through the stack, confirming what her grandmother had told her. “It looks like we intervened in the nick of time.”
“Imagine having your utilities shut off and being confused about why. I’ve also contacted Nigel Beckworth, our family attorney, to discuss a power of attorney.”
Morgan sank down in the chair Prissy had vacated. “Do you think living at Easton Estate will be enough?”
“To keep her safe?” Elizabeth asked. “I hope so. We won’t know until we try. Brett is here. Perhaps it’s time for a family meeting.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Morgan sent her brother a brief text, asking him to meet them in the library.
On my way.
“He’s on his way.”
Quick steps echoed. Brett strode into the room. “Tristan and I were making sure his volcano had enough juice for a show-stopping eruption tomorrow.”
“He’s excited.” Morgan turned to Elizabeth. “Will you have time to attend the science fair? It’s in the morning, starting at ten.”
“I have my call with Nigel at 9:00. I’m also scheduled to work, so please don’t promise Tristan I’ll be there. I would hate to say yes and disappoint him.”
“We won’t mention it.” Brett pulled up a chair and sat opposite his sister and grandmother. “Uh-oh. What’s with the serious faces?”
“Prissy.”
Taking turns, the women brought him up to speed with what they’d discovered.
Elizabeth handed Brett the papers.
He grew quiet, studying the water bill notice. “She’s not paying her bills and they’re threatening to shut her utilities off.”
“The electricity is already off,” Morgan said.
“Her property tax bill and homeowner's insurance can be paid online and brought back into good standing,” he said.
“Her mind has been on a downhill trajectory and is slipping quickly,” Elizabeth said. “I have a call with Nigel Beckworth to figure out the next step and possibly draft a durable power of attorney.”
“Does she understand the seriousness of what’s happening?”
“She does when she’s in her right mind.” Elizabeth took the bills from Brett and set them on the table. “Prissy thinks she’s current on all of these.”
He leaned back in the chair, thoughtfully rubbing the stubble on his chin. “Do you think the staff will be able to keep an eye on her, or is her condition too far advanced where she needs round-the-clock care?”
“I’m not sure,” Elizabeth said. “Prissy doesn’t want to leave Easton Island and move into a memory care facility. I would like to see how it goes with her living here.”
“You’ll need to meet with Mrs. Arnsby and the others to let them know what’s going on.”
“The sooner, the better,” Morgan chimed in.
The trio discussed the timeline, logistics, and steps going forward, all agreeing Prissy was family and they would do whatever they could to keep her at home and cared for.
“I need to get back to Locke Pointe.” Morgan reluctantly stood.
Elizabeth stopped her. “Would you like to join us for dinner?”
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m hosting this evening’s social hour at Locke Pointe.”
“How is Ronni and Jax’s getaway going?”
“I haven’t heard a peep, so I’m guessing they’re enjoying themselves.” Morgan stifled a yawn. “Excuse me. It’s been a long day. Maybe we’ll see you tomorrow at the school?”
“Hopefully,” Elizabeth said.
Morgan tracked down her pup, and they left to drive to the other side of the island. During the trip, she mulled over Prissy’s health crisis. Her mental decline seemed to be accelerating—or maybe it had been getting bad for a while and the woman had done a good job of hiding it from everyone.
She arrived at the Lilac Inn’s shared parking lot and turned the engine off. As soon as she opened the driver’s side door, Chester leapt to the ground and took off at a dead run.
Woof. Woof.
“Chester Charleston Easton!” she hollered. “Get back here!”
The pup, having cornered the pesky squirrel “Rocket” who provoked him every chance he got, sat on the lower tree branch, chattering at Chester and shaking his tail.
Woof. His warning bark increased a decibel. Chester meant business, and Morgan had no doubt if the crafty critter dared to come down, her pup would teach him a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.
“Let’s go.”
Chester fired off a warning bark and turned around. He kicked up the dirt with his back paws and trotted toward her, looking back once to utter a parting growl to his nemesis.
“At least you’re getting some exercise, chasing after rowdy Rocket.”
“Morgan!”
Morgan turned to find Grace jogging toward her and waited for her friend to catch up. “Hey, Grace.”
“Have you talked to Greg today?”
“Earlier.” Morgan explained that she’d dropped Tristan off at Easton Estate after school and was just getting back. “Why?”
“He was at my place a short time ago looking for Hailey and seemed agitated.”
Morgan glanced over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “She’s been canceling plans and giving him the cold shoulder.”
“I figured as much. Every time he stops by, she hides. This has been going on for a few days now, sometimes twice a day.”
“To the point that it’s disruptive to your business?”
Grace twined her fingers. “I hate to say anything because Greg is such a sweet guy, but yes. It’s too much.”
Morgan’s heart plummeted. “We had a long talk. I told him maybe it’s best if they take a break from each other. He even commented he didn’t like being around her anymore. I’m guessing he’s trying to figure out what’s going on. Where is she now?”
“Inside. She’s cleaning the crystal chandeliers,” Grace said. “I was thinking maybe I could have him come by to help me with a loose kitchen cabinet…or not.”
“As far as the investigation into the hotel guest’s death, have you heard anything new?” Morgan asked.
“Not a peep from her. I mentioned it to Grady the other day. He said the investigation is still at a standstill.”
“He told me the same thing when I asked. Greg and Hailey need to resolve their relationship conundrum,” Morgan said. “Maybe it’s time to help them rip the Band-Aid off so they can both move on with their lives.”
“I agree. I can’t help but think maybe it’s not our place to interfere. On the flip side, we would be doing them a favor by forcing them to clear the air.”
“I never envisioned myself as playing ‘unmatchmaker.’”
“Me either.”
Morgan was on the fence. On the one hand, the situation was bothering Greg enough that he admitted he had doubts about their relationship. Clearly, he could see the warning signs.
Reading between the lines, Hailey had the same goal in mind but was going about it in an entirely different way by avoiding Greg, possibly hoping he would get the hint.
Setting the relationship issues aside, the current situation was affecting Grace’s business.
Morgan placed a light hand on the back of her neck. Perhaps arranging for Greg and Hailey to run into each other would put both of them out of their misery. There was only one way to find out. “I’ll send him over.”