Murder by Yew (An Edna Davies Mystery #1)(20)

“Tuck.” Peppa was frowning down at the patient. She paused for several seconds, frowning, seemingly thinking very hard. “Did you have your alarm system turned on?”

Tuck looked sheepish. “No. The darn thing was always going off, at the oddest times, too. I’ve been meaning to call the security people and have them take a look at it.”

“Do you suppose those weren’t false alarms?” Peppa’s remark drew the attention of both women.

Tuck gasped. “Do you mean to say you think the burglars were trying to get into the house?” Her eyes widened in increasing alarm. “A couple of those times were in the middle of the night when I was asleep in bed.”

Peppa said hastily, “I think they might have caused the alarms to go off so you’d do just what you did—turn off the whole system. From what I know, burglars generally aren’t violent. They want to steal valuables, not confront the owners.”

Seeing that Peppa’s words hadn’t helped much in easing Tuck’s fears, Edna interjected. “That’s right, Tuck. Let’s not worry about it right now. I’m sure the police will find whoever did this.” She pulled the covers up, smoothing them around Tuck’s shoulders, and shot Peppa a look, trying to convey that a change of subject might be better for their friend’s health. “I was asking Beverly Lewis this morning about her brother’s new handyman business. I hear that he’ll take on whatever job you need done, including moving.”

Edna could have bitten her tongue at the last words, remembering it was a moving van that Tuck had seen in her driveway. Fortunately, Peppa jumped into the silence before it could grow.

“I heard the same thing,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “If you ask me, Norm Wilkins could use some competition. Beverly’s done well since she started Housekeeper Helpers. If her brother is half the worker she is, he’ll do just fine around here.”

To Edna’s dismay, Tuck returned to their former subject. “Speaking of moving,” she said, “my Victoria wants me to move in with her. Do you think I should? I wasn’t going to. I didn’t think I could stand to leave the house. Nip and I were so happy there. Now that this has happened, I just don’t know …” Her voice trailed off.

Peppa bent over to pat Tuck’s shoulder. “There, there,” she soothed. “Edna’s right about the police, and we might be able to help them.” She looked over at Edna. “Remember when we were driving up to the house? Didn’t you say something about someone had sideswiped the stone wall and knocked the post down?”

Edna brightened, more to encourage positive thinking on Tuck’s part than because she really believed her words. “That’s right. I forgot to mention that when I was talking to Detective Rogers. I bet the police will be able to find something, paint from the truck or something. These thieves need to be caught before they hurt someone else. You were lucky. The next victim might not be as fortunate.”

“Ooohhh, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Tuck started to slouch down beneath the covers. “I feel dizzy. I think I’ll sleep now.”

Edna pressed the call button while Peppa took Tuck’s hand, rubbing and patting it while she spoke.

“Come on, Tuck, I think you’d better stay awake.”

Feeling inadequate but wanting to be helpful, Edna plumped Tuck’s pillows while they waited for a nurse.

Peppa, trying to keep Tuck awake, said, “I’d like to see them pull a moving van up to my house. Rufus would have them for lunch.”

Tuck’s eyes opened in a squint. “Oh, pooh. That Rottweiler of yours is a big baby, and everybody around here knows it.”

The three women laughed as Peppa said, “Well, then, let’s hope the crooks are strangers to town.”

The thought sobered them all. Edna wondered if the other two were thinking the same thing she was. Had this been done by someone they knew?

Seven

Peppa and Edna left after the nurse returned, but only after Peppa promised to check in the next morning to see if Tuck could go home. She seems to enjoy ferrying people around, Edna thought, amazed that anyone who knew her would agree to ride in the Mercedes of their own volition.

“Would you mind stopping at the front desk on our way out?” Edna said as they waited for the elevator. “I want to check on a friend.” Then, realizing Peppa probably knew him, she added, “Tom Greene.”

Peppa frowned. “What’s the matter with Tom?”

“I don’t really know. He was brought in late yesterday, apparently in a coma.”

A fortyish-looking woman sat behind the chest-high counter in the hospital’s foyer. “Well, if it isn’t Peppa.” She stood and smiled broadly as the two women approached.

“Lydia?” Peppa leaned her arms on the counter. “Why, Lydia Bradford. I didn’t know you worked here. Thought you commuted to the Kent.”

“Traffic to Warwick is becoming unbearable.” Lydia grimaced before her smile returned. “Been here almost six months now. What’re you up to these days?”

“No good, as usual.” They laughed, and Peppa turned to Edna. “Lydia was another of my regular Saturday story hour children. Lydia, this is my friend, Edna Davies. You may know her husband, Dr. Albert Davies.”

“Oh, of course. He made rounds at Kent County Hospital when I worked there.” Lydia clasped her hands in front of her chest and rolled her eyes. “He was wonderful. Patients and staff alike were all sorry to hear he’d decided to retire. It’s so nice to meet you.” Her smile faded as she looked from Peppa to Edna and back. “What brings you ladies here today? Nothing serious, I hope.”