| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted September 29, 2024 | Chapters: |
...9 10 -11- 12... 
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The plot thickens.
A chapter in the book Murder At The Berkshire
Sildenafil
by Douglas Goff
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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. They decide they need to visit Room 413, where Mr. Howell died. There, they discovered an earring.
New:
The Senior Sleuth Society met that night to discuss the earring in Chapman’s office and to add it to the clue board.
“Does that mean he’s a suspect, Hattie?” Nel scratched her head.
She gave it some thought.“Hmmmm . . . not necessarily. He said that Hazel gave him the earring so he’d know what the other one looks like.”
“Ohh. . . ohh!” Jubilee Joy raised her hand excitedly. “He wasn’t here the night Mr. Howell died. Chapman was on vacation that week. He goes to that silly butterfly convention over in Ritzville every August. It couldn’t have been him!”
“Very good, Joy!” Hattie was pleased with their enthusiasm for the case. “So Chapman has an alibi and is definitely out. But, we still have plenty of viable suspects.”
“Yes, but that earring certainly puts Hazel to the top of the list.” Narcissistic Nancy nodded.
A knock on the door froze everyone in place. Who could that be at 11:30 at night? Oh no! Not Chapman?
The door slowly opened and a blue-tinted beehive hairdo popped into the gap. In came Chatty Cathy.
“What are you doing here?” Hattie frowned.
“I’m so disappointed in you. Hattie.” Cathy frowned back. “You started a secret society without me, your best friend?”
Bestfriend?
The woman clicked her tongue. “I mean, after all our deep conversations, and you left me out? I want in!”
“How did you even know about this?” Hattie was still having trouble figuring out what was going on.
“A little bird told me.” Chatty Cathy gave a quick glance over at a very guilty looking Jubilee Joy. “I want—
This time, Hattie cut her off, “It looks like you are already in, but you have to tone it down if you want to stay in.”
“Tone what down?” The outspoken woman looked genuinely confused.
“You must not interrupt and you have to let others speak. Everyone here is an equal member. That means you will have to remain quiet at times. Can you do that? Remain quiet?”
“Stay quiet? Yes, of course. Quiet is my middle name. I mean, once, in the sixth grade I didn’t say a word all day. My mother thought I was . . .” Cathay caught herself, then made a zipper motion across her lips.
They went over a few other things, including a planned visit to interview Hazel. It was decided that would be a worthwhile endeavor. Then Hattie shared more exciting news.
“Edgar Howell died from a heart attack.”
“A heart attack, Hattie?” Joy frowned. “Where does that leave our case?”
“That’s where it gets interesting. Detective Steele said it was brought on by an overdose of sildenafil.”
“Silden-what?” Nel shook her head.
“That’s the medical term for Viagra.” Hattie revealed, barely unable to hide her excitement.
Nancy giggled. “Holy smokes, he died from erectile dysfunction medication!”
“What a wild story!” Chatty Cathy clapped her hands rapidly. “Taken out by the little blue pill.”
“From the sounds of it, several of them.” Hattie grinned, then admonished, “Don’t you even think about it, Cathy. You can’t tell anyone.”
“Me? I haven’t told anyone about your little club, not like some people.’ The woman conspicuously nodded her beehive hairdo towards Jubilee Joy.”
When the meeting ended and the ladies went to leave, Art Anica was standing outside the door, preparing to knock.
“May I come in.” He shuffled his feet. “I’d like to talk with you.”
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-Narcisistic Nancy's sister
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. They decide they need to visit Room 413, where Mr. Howell died. There, they discovered an earring.
The Senior Sleuth Society met that night to discuss the earring in Chapman’s office and to add it to the clue board.
“Does that mean he’s a suspect, Hattie?” Nel scratched her head.
She gave it some thought.“Hmmmm . . . not necessarily. He said that Hazel gave him the earring so he’d know what the other one looks like.”
“Ohh. . . ohh!” Jubilee Joy raised her hand excitedly. “He wasn’t here the night Mr. Howell died. Chapman was on vacation that week. He goes to that silly butterfly convention over in Ritzville every August. It couldn’t have been him!”
“Very good, Joy!” Hattie was pleased with their enthusiasm for the case. “So Chapman has an alibi and is definitely out. But, we still have plenty of viable suspects.”
“Yes, but that earring certainly puts Hazel to the top of the list.” Narcissistic Nancy nodded.
A knock on the door froze everyone in place. Who could that be at 11:30 at night? Oh no! Not Chapman?
The door slowly opened and a blue-tinted beehive hairdo popped into the gap. In came Chatty Cathy.
“What are you doing here?” Hattie frowned.
“I’m so disappointed in you. Hattie.” Cathy frowned back. “You started a secret society without me, your best friend?”
Bestfriend?
The woman clicked her tongue. “I mean, after all our deep conversations, and you left me out? I want in!”
“How did you even know about this?” Hattie was still having trouble figuring out what was going on.
“A little bird told me.” Chatty Cathy gave a quick glance over at a very guilty looking Jubilee Joy. “I want—
This time, Hattie cut her off, “It looks like you are already in, but you have to tone it down if you want to stay in.”
“Tone what down?” The outspoken woman looked genuinely confused.
“You must not interrupt and you have to let others speak. Everyone here is an equal member. That means you will have to remain quiet at times. Can you do that? Remain quiet?”
“Stay quiet? Yes, of course. Quiet is my middle name. I mean, once, in the sixth grade I didn’t say a word all day. My mother thought I was . . .” Cathay caught herself, then made a zipper motion across her lips.
They went over a few other things, including a planned visit to interview Hazel. It was decided that would be a worthwhile endeavor. Then Hattie shared more exciting news.
“Edgar Howell died from a heart attack.”
“A heart attack, Hattie?” Joy frowned. “Where does that leave our case?”
“That’s where it gets interesting. Detective Steele said it was brought on by an overdose of sildenafil.”
“Silden-what?” Nel shook her head.
“That’s the medical term for Viagra.” Hattie revealed, barely unable to hide her excitement.
Nancy giggled. “Holy smokes, he died from erectile dysfunction medication!”
“What a wild story!” Chatty Cathy clapped her hands rapidly. “Taken out by the little blue pill.”
“From the sounds of it, several of them.” Hattie grinned, then admonished, “Don’t you even think about it, Cathy. You can’t tell anyone.”
“Me? I haven’t told anyone about your little club, not like some people.’ The woman conspicuously nodded her beehive hairdo towards Jubilee Joy.”
When the meeting ended and the ladies went to leave, Art Anica was standing outside the door, preparing to knock.
“May I come in.” He shuffled his feet. “I’d like to talk with you.”
© Copyright 2024. Douglas Goff All rights reserved.
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