Shadows in the Night [Hawkman--Book 12] Read Free

dollars a month cheaper. They'll move her into one when it's available."
    "Remember I warned you, the cost is exorbitant when I have to bring in an extra man to do this type of work. I can come in some of the days, but I have other cases and need to give time to those."
    "I understand.” George said. “What do you have in mind?"
    "We need to set up a schedule."
    "Okay, I can be there at eight in the morning and stay until noon. I can usually run my errands in three or four hours.” He raised his hands and let them drop on his thighs with a thud. “Takes me longer with these danged knees. I'll make sure I'm back by six o'clock to take Maggie to the dining room. Would that work?"
    Hawkman jotted down the information. “Yes, I think so. Once I line up one of my guys, we should meet at your wife's room so she can be introduced to me and the one who will be sharing her day. Then my man can get familiar with her routine. We'll need to check with the head of the place and get his approval. He may not take to strangers lingering around your wife. It could make for an uneasiness."
    "No, problem. I'll handle that end."
    "Does Maggie know what you're up to?"
    "Not yet. I plan to tell her tonight."
    "How do you think she'll take it?"
    "Oh, she'll have a fit. This is one time I'll stand my ground and not give in. When she realizes I mean business, she'll simmer right down, give me a kiss and a hug for loving her so much."
    Hawkman opened the brown envelope and removed the papers. “Here's the contract, and the extra page I typed up for the service of another person. I'll need a down payment to get started."
    Hampton took a pair of reading glasses out of his pocket and read through the agreement. “This is a very good document, and easy to understand.” He signed both copies, then worked his way to the edge of the couch, pushed himself up with the armrest and latched onto his cane. “Let me get my checkbook and we'll start this process rolling."
    Hawkman wondered why the man had never gotten his knees fixed. He definitely had the money. Of course, he didn't know George Hampton's medical condition and doubted he'd ever get it out of him. Hampton returned in a few minutes and handed him a check.
    "Will this do for now? I can always write another when the money runs out."
    Hawkman glanced at the sum of five thousand dollars. “This should do us for quite a spell. All depends on how long this case will drag on. I'll get in touch with you when I line everything up."
    Hampton pointed a finger. “I expect to hear from you tomorrow."
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CHAPTER THREE
    Hawkman deposited the check at the bank, stopped at a fast food drive thru, grabbed a hamburger and drink, then drove to the office. His mind churned with the first orders of business on this case. He needed to contact one of the two retired police officers, Kevin Louis or Stan Erwin, who usually helped him out. It would be interesting to hear their reaction to watching an older woman in a senior's home. For sure, the job wouldn't appeal to them, but the pay might.
    He pulled into the alley, parked and climbed the stairs carefully so as not to spill the soda. When the aroma of pastries wrapped around his nose, he mumbled to himself, “Wonder which has the most calories, my lunch or a bear claw?"
    Once inside, he sat down at the desk and unwrapped the sandwich. As he ate, the thought rolled around in his mind that George Hampton might have gone over the top in assuming murders had taken place. People were usually old and some sickly when placed in these homes. Many needed twenty-four hour care, and would spend their last days in this type of environment. He looked forward to seeing the facility.
    Once Hampton got permission from the management to allow him to do his job, it'd be interesting to see how the staff of Morning Glory Haven liked their routine being interrupted by a one-eyed investigator hovering around one of their female residents. He figured George