Dead Weight Read Free

like a lizard on a hot rock in the Caribbean sun—opened one eye and said, “Why the hell don’t you take that thing off in here? No one will see.” With that he shut his eyes, and I think let out a soft snore.
    I shook my head even though he wasn’t looking. Seemed as if it’d give my words more punch. “Can’t. Wouldn’t be fair, and I need to be fair to those who legitimately need to be here. To be in their shoes, I have to keep this on all the time.” Even my legs hurt, so I sat back on the bed and lifted them up with a grunt.
    â€œVery noble. Very noble indeed.” He cleared his throat, shifted toward the sun from the window and said, “Very Pauline-like indeed.”
    I threw a pillow at him but said thanks, as he was being kind. “I’m not trying to be noble. You know that I mean it. I’m here to fight fraud, which means more money saved for insurance customers. However, I’d give anything to help the clients who come here to change their lifestyles and lose their weight. It’s unhealthy on so many levels. Heart, diabetes, achy legs—”
    Before I knew it, Goldie had me in an embrace. “My Suga never will change. I get it. There’s more at stake on this case than the others you’ve worked. Health trumps money every time.”
    I gave him a squeeze then pulled back. “I just love you and truly appreciate you coming here with me … especially since you are a newlywed!”
    With that we danced around the room until I stumbled in my weighty awkwardness and landed in a pile on the hand-woven rug. “Oh, gosh. I may never be able to pull this off.”
    Goldie reached down to help yank me up. I noticed he had to stabilize himself with a foot against my bed and made a vow to myself to help as many people here as I could.
    â€œOh, Pauline!” Henry’s voice came through my door.
    I twisted and pushed myself up in case he opened the door, which had no lock on it. Hm. One could only guess that was so staff could do periodic inspections of client’s rooms for contraband.
    Chocolate. Chips. Chocolate. Cookies.
    My stomach gurgled. How I could go for some contraband.
    â€œHold on, Henry.” I got up and went to the door, thankful that he respected me enough not to barge in. When I opened it, he glared at me.
    I looked down to see my fake bellybutton prominently showing. Since I couldn’t feel through the bodysuit to know how disheveled I looked, there was no way I could tell that I was coming apart. Quickly I yanked down my top, and Henry had the decency to keep his mouth shut.
    Thank goodness for overpriced health spas where the staff knew their place.
    But, Henry had looked at me oddly—maybe as if he thought my bellybutton didn’t look real!
    Taking his mind from any questions, I quickly said, “Oh, hey. Good to see you. What brings you here? Is it time for something? I mean to do something? For us, or me to do something?”
    Goldie gave me one of “those” looks that rivaled any Stella Sokol could produce, so I immediately shut up. Nerves always made me to ramble.
    Henry nodded at Goldie then looked at me. “Your appointment with Doctor Burger—”
    â€œYou’re kidding,” I interrupted. “Burger. As in Whopper?” I started to laugh, but Henry merely stared.
    â€œBurger as in a German name. More commonly known by the clients around here as the Naziburger. The guy doesn’t have the best bedside manner.” He turned to go and over his shoulder said, “But you didn’t hear that from me, and if you say you did, I’ll have to kill you.”
    Stunned, I could only stand motionless. Then I turned to Goldie. “He was kidding. Right?”
    Goldie flopped onto the lounge chair, which was becoming his second home. “You mean about the Nazi part?”
    I walked to him and slugged his arm. “No, silly. The killing part. That’s