“She recorded hours of chicanery between the conmen and people they thought were incompetent.” Jax had his aggressive lawyer voice on. “All the victims passed through at least one of Sunshine’s facilities. The scammers knew everything about them. Some of the residents had already lost their savings before your mother took over their identities. The directors of Sunshine are laundering large amounts of cash. She simply did not have the means to track the money or the conmen. You do. Read the files we’ll send you. Follow the money.”
“If you’ve been hacking personal accounts, you can be arrested, and your evidence is worthless.” Stone-faced, Gump leaned against the counter.
Evie wanted to poke him with a sharp stick, but she spoke evenly. “I’m calling Stacey to tell her to make sure you go to a doctor. Your heart could explode, and where would she be then? She needs you. And Marlene says if you have us arrested, she’ll haunt you until you die. She’s passing back and forth through you right now, trying to catch your attention.”
Marlene was saying a lot of other things, too, but Evie refrained from name calling. Mother and son must have had a rocky relationship.
Gump determinedly drained his glass. His thick hair ruffled in the non-existent wind.
“I’ll take my chances. Send me the files. I make no promises.”
“Your mother said you once cheated on your chemistry exam, and she made you tell the teacher and take an F. She says that didn’t go on your official record so no one knows it but her and the teacher, and he’s dead. I really don’t think she’ll rest until you stop these criminals.” Evie stood up and dusted off her capris. “She also says Bibb is outside the door, and Mr. Charles is peering through his keyhole, watching.”
A knock interrupted any reply. Evie answered the door for them. Marlene hadn’t actually said all that since she couldn’t recall names. Evie had just relied on impressions. The ghost really was agitated.
The vice president of Sunshine’s board of directors frowned down at her. Evie decided she might start wearing high heels. She frowned back. “May I help you?”
That obviously left him flummoxed. He looked over her head. “Mr. Gump. I hope you have found the premises satisfactory and are now ready to cede the lease so we may rent it out again. We have a waiting list.”
“We’re paid through the end of August.” Professor Gump didn’t move from his relaxed stance leaning against the kitchen counter. Except his aura was on high alert. Good actor.
“We would like to clean and repaint the apartment before renting it again. It’s part of the lease agreement.” Mr. Bibb’s aura was ominous. Black hearts were black hearts. That still didn’t mean he was a killer.
“My mother wasmurderedhere, Mr. Bibb. Until the police tell me there is nothing else they need, you will not be cleaning or painting. I could sue.”
Evie was a trifle irritated that they continued talking over her head. Just before she put a spoke in their wheels, Jax intervened. “I’ve taken a look at the lease agreement. Professor Gump is within his rights to hold out until he’s prepared to close out the apartment. If the police need longer, you’ll no doubt be hearing from them. Is Sunshine improving security to see that nothing happens like this again? The melee we witnessed below indicates not.”
Jax, at least, put a hand on her shoulder and attempted to steer her out of the way. Acknowledging her existence was good. Moving her, not so much. She stomped on his toe. He yanked his shoe before she could do much damage.
“Marlene wants to know what happened to the security deposits on Mrs. Lopez and Mr. Wong’s apartments after they were moved into the nursing wing, and Laura Evans, after she died.” Evie crossed her arms and glared up at the VP.
Bibb’s aura couldn’t get any gloomier, so she couldn’t detect guilt or lies. She was totally useless except as a biting gnat. She needed to find a new job.
“I’m sure they were returned to their families or applied to their rooms at the home. I do not do the bookkeeping. That’s Mrs. Murkowski’s job. Now, if you will excuse me...” He turned to leave.
“Mrs. Murkowski doesn’t do the bookkeeping. I had to inquire of a Henry Bibb pertaining to my mother’s deposit. Your son, I assume?” the haughty professor asked.
“My brother. He works for the corporation, not for me.” Without giving them further chance to question, the VP swung on his leather heel and walked off.
“He lies for a living,” Evie said with a sigh. “Just like Ursula’s husband. Interesting.” She glanced over at the door across the hall. “Do you have anything to add, Mr. Charles?”
Still murky with distrust, Marlene’s tall, balding boyfriend opened the door. “Marlene never mentioned a problem with security deposits.”
“Mrs. Gump was suspicious by nature. I just thought I’d throw her questions into the pot. Have you found out anything interesting lately, Mr. Charles? She appears to be a little upset with you.”
He looked nervous. “She was the jealous sort. I’ve been talking to some of the other ladies lately. You really see her ghost?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Professor Gump stood up and slammed his glass down on the counter. “Will all of you just leave? This ghost nonsense is preposterous.”
Jax caught Evie’s waist and shoved her toward the door. “It’s late. We need to go home and make sure Loretta has someone watching her. It’s good to see you again, Mr. Charles. Hope you’re staying well.”
“Well as can be expected at my age. Are the police saying anything about who might have harmed Marlene?” The older man lingered in his doorway.
The empty whiskey tumbler went flying.
Evie smiled over her shoulder at the professor, who’d totally been taken off guard. “Your mother thinks you might want to talk with Mr. Charles. He was the one who had her backup phone. Good-night, professor. I’ll warn your daughter about your heart problem.”
She walked out of Jax’s hold and headed for the elevator.