Previously:

With Hattie being alone and her children living out of state, the older daughter placed her in a home for the elderly. Unfortunately, she finds herself even more lonely surrounded by people. When Hattie learns of the mysterious death of Mr. Howell up on the fourth floor, she decides to look into it. The ladies create the Senior Sleuth Society.

New:

The smaller of the two first floor reading rooms had become the sleuths daytime meeting spot. They usually got together a half hour before dinner to discuss the case. Today, Hattie had arrived first to find the room occupied by Art Antica, who was reading a book called ‘Three Rivers of Blood’.

The smaller framed man probably weighed about what she did. Not that he didn’t appear stout, he was just a man with a smaller build. She studied his short curly hair and light blue eyes, which she realized were now staring at her. Hattie blushed and stared at her hands. I’m seventy-five and turning red-faced like a highschool senior. 

When Joy and Nelly came in, Art got up and left the reading room. Hattie was fairly certain the man’s eyes never left her as he exited the room. He’s such a cutie. Oh, what is wrong with me? Snap out of it, Hattie. Act your age! 

“Don’t be upset, Hattie.” Joy’s comment interrupted her thoughts.  

“Upset about what?” She stared at the woman. 

“Just for the record, it wasn’t my idea.” Nelly interjected while Joy waved someone in from the hallway. In walked Narcissistic Nancy.  

“I thought we agreed it would just be the three of us, Joy?” Hattie could not hide her disappointment in the woman’s inability to keep a secret. 

“I’m sorry, Hattie, but you have to hear what Nancy has to say.” Joy nodded her head reassuringly. 

The skinny black woman took a seat and sat her mirror on the table, face up so she could still glance at herself. “I don’t mean to interfere with any friendships here, but Joy told me what you ladies were up to after I told her I was on the Fourth Floor the night Mr. Howell passed away.”

Immediately forgetting Joy’s infraction, Hattie leaned in close to the pretty woman. “What were you doing on the Fourth Floor that night?”

“I go up there a couple times a week to see my sister, Marcy. She is ninety-six and bedridden so they put her up on the Fourth Floor.” A sad look covered Nancy’s face for a moment. 

“So, did you see who was working?” Hattie was excited.

“Of course. I always have to be escorted when I go there. It is a safety regulation as some of the folks up there have severe dementia. The attendant was Carmen Marsala. 

“Oh yes, Carmen has worked on our floor a few times. She's a sturdy woman.” Hattie nodded and grabbed a piece of paper and pen. “So, can you do us a favor? Can you draw us a map of the Fourth Floor and show us where Mr. Howell’s room was?”

“Depends.” A grin covered Nancy's face. 

“On what?” Nelly spoke up before Hattie could.

“Well, You want a map . . . and I want in. I want to join your Senior Sleuth Club.” Nancy grabbed the pen. “And I know the room you are asking about.”

Senior Sleuth Society. Hattie  corrected her and shrugged. “Okay, but ladies, this is it. The inner core. We all must agree to that if I let Nancy in.” 

“Of course,” Nelly agreed. 

“Sure,” Joy promised. “The inner core.”

They all looked at Nancy. “I won’t tell anyone, I just want in.”

“Okay, you’re in.” Hattie pointed at the blank sheet

Nancy took several minutes and drew a meticulous map. It was helpful, but looked much the same as the Second and Third floors.  The high value information was when she put an X on one of the rooms and wrote the number 413.  

“There.” She pointed at the X. “That’s the spot.”

“X marks the spot!” Nelly quipped. 

“Good work, Nancy.” Hattie stared at the map. “When is the next time you visit Marcy?” 

"Tonight. Why?” The woman picked up her mirror and started messing with her hair.  

“Is there a chance you could see if room 413 is still vacant.”

“My sister is in room 403, at the near end, but I think so. If they catch me I’ll just play confused. The attendants eat that up. Why do you need to know if 413 is empty?”

“Oh no, Hattie, don’t tell me that you’re planning on sneaking up to that room.” Jubilee Joy didn’t look so jubilant as she shook her head.  

“I’m in.” Nelly grinned from ear to ear.  

“Joy, I have to get a look at that room. We need clues, and I bet we find something in there.” Hattie was firm. 

“The cops have already gone over that room with a fine toothed-comb. Do you think it’s worth the risk?” Joy was equally as firm. 

“Nobody has to go with me. Why don't you ladies take some time and think it over while we wait to see what Nancy finds out. That way you can all make a well-thought out decision,” Hattie offered. 

“I’m in.” Nelly was not thinking anything over. 

Nancy cleared her throat loudly, tensing up in her seat. She stared Hattie in the eyes hard and turned her mirror for Hattie to look. She put it at an angle showing that Art Antica was standing behind her in the hallway listening in. 

The man must have realized the women had stopped talking because he hurried away, heading down the hallway. Joy went and peeked out the door, to make sure he was gone. 

“I wonder what that was all about?” Nancy grimaced.  

“More importantly, what did he hear?” Hattie was bothered by the man’s snooping. “We better end this meeting for now.”

“Wait! Nancy hasn’t told you the best part.” Joy looked like she was about to burst.

Hattie turned back to Nancy, not sure what else she could know. 

“I wasn’t the only person from the lower floors visiting the top floor the night Mr. Howell had died.  

“What? Who else did you see up there?” Hattie had to know.

“Phil Barnes. I saw him coming from the far end of the hall. We went down on the elevator together.” Nancy’s mouth formed a grim line. 

“Oh my!” Nelly gasped. 

“Pharmaceutical Phil?” Hattie was surprised. “Oh my is right.” Why would he be up there?

Joy burst out laughing. “Pharmaceutical Phil? How do you do that Hattie? You’re simply brilliant.“

“Regardless, I guess we have another suspect to add to our list.” Hattie lowered her voice. “Let’s all meet in my room two nights from now, just after lights out. Maybe I will have heard from Detective Steele by then, and hopefully Nancy will have the information we seek. Then we’ll see who is going up to the fourth Floor.”

“Not sure if you heard me earlier, but I’m in.” Nelly gave Hattie a thumbs up.

CHARACTERS:

Key Residents

Hattie May Hatfield-New resident who used to be an author

Katherinne Beck-Chatty Kathy, a resident who talks constantly

Jubilee Joy-Bubbly lady

Narcoleptic Nelly-Plump, purple-fashioned lady, who falls asleep

Art Antica-A cold, but cute resident

Jerk Beefy-An amorous sleazy resident 

Moaning Lisa-Jerk Beefy's girlfriend 

Narcissistic Nancy-Pretty lady who loves the mirror  

Lesser Residents

Grumpy Gus-A cranky, very old residents

Barfett-a slovenly resident who eats sloppy

Windy Wendy-A resident who constantly passes gas

Pharmacuetical Phil Barnes-Supplies pills to the male residents

Employees

Harold Chapman-Pencil pushing Berkshire Director

SUSPECT Debra-The Berkshire Nurse

SUSPECT Mrs. Janice Cooley-Attendant

SUSPECT Harvey Marsh- Attendant 

SUSPECT Becky Hazel- Attendent

SUSPECT Jimmy Williams-Attendant

SUSPECT Carmen Marsala-Attendant

Deceased

Edward Howell-Sent to the 4th floor, then suspiciously died 

Paul Hatfield-Hattie's deceased police detective husband

Extras

Sarah Hatfield-Hattie's oldest daughter

Detective Steele-Hattie's deceased husband's old partner

Marcy-Narcicisstic Nancy's sister