Gina Cresse - Devonie Lace 05 - A Deadly Change of Luck by Gina Cresse Page A

whom to visit first.  I struggled with the decision for a while, then decided that under the circumstances, I’d rather face a bunch of mental hospital workers than either of those two women. 
     
    It’s quite a long drive from San Diego to Norwalk, so I stopped for lunch along the way.  I’d just been seated in a booth near a window when Sam surprised me by sliding into the seat opposite me.
    “Sam?  What are you doing here?” I asked.
    He opened a menu and studied the lunch specials.  “Following you,” he said, still reading the menu.
    “Why?”
    “You’re headed for Norwalk,” he replied.
    “So?”
    He closed the menu and pushed it aside.  “What do you think you’re going to do once you get there?”
    “Find out if Frankie was AWOL when Lou died.  Maybe see if he does any painting,” I replied, indignantly.
    Sam laughed.  “No one there is going to tell you anything.  You’re just some stranger off the street.”
    “I considered that.  I had a plan,” I defended.
    “Okay, I’ll bite.  What’s your plan?”
    I opened my menu and began reading.  “How’d you find me, anyway?”
    “It was easy.  I figured you’d go see Chuck, so I waited till you showed up, then tailed you here.  You really ought to learn the tricks of the trade if you’re going to be a private investigator.”
    “Who said I want to be a private investigator?”
    “Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck…”
    “Talks like a duck,” I corrected.
    “Must be a duck.   Why don’t you apply for your license?  I could cut you a little more slack if you were legit.”
    I continued reading the menu.
    “So, come on.  What’s your plan?” he insisted.
    I scowled at him over the menu.
    “Look.  I’ve already talked to the folks at Metropolitan.  Frank hasn’t been off the grounds for years,” Sam informed me.
    “You talked to him?” I asked.
    “No.  I talked to one of the doctors.  Frank’s not our guy.”
    I closed my menu.  “You owe me lunch.”
    “I was hoping you’d forget.”
    “Fat chance.”
    “Okay.  I’ll buy lunch, then we head back to San Diego,” Sam replied.
    “No way.   That wasn’t the deal.  You owe me lunch.  I’ve come this far, and I’m not going back until I see Frankie,” I insisted.
     
    Sam followed me to the hospital, but I asked him to wait outside until I was finished.  I walked into the reception area and glanced around.  I could see a recreation room at the end of a hallway with people sitting randomly at various tables.  A group of patients stared at a television that played an old “ I Love Lucy ” rerun.  Trying to look like I’d been there before, I began strolling toward the rec - room.  A woman sitting behind a desk caught me before I could wander any further.
    “Can I help you?” she asked.
    “Yes.  Hi.  I’m looking for Frank Winnomore.  I understand he’s a patient here?”
    She scrutinized me over her glasses.  “Are you on the visitor list?”
    I shook my head.  “I wanted to know if he wants any of the things from his late father’s home before I sell them.”
    The woman smiled.  “That’s very considerate of you, but we have strict rules.  Only approved visitors can see the patients.  If you’re not on the list, then I’m afraid—“
    “Nellie?   Is that you?” a voice called from the TV room down the hall.  A tall, thin man with long black hair trotted toward me, squinting as he bounced.  He hadn’t shaved for a week, and I wasn’t sure he’d bathed, either.  My lungs didn’t want to take a breath as soon as he got within arms length.  “It is you!  You came to see me, after all these years!” he called, stretching his arms out to embrace me.
    “Frank?  This is Nellie?” the woman behind the desk asked.
    Frank?  Could this be the Frank I’m looking for?  I played along and put my arms around him.  “Frank.  It’s been a long time,” I said, patting his back and holding my breath.
    Frank