David Baldacci - Simple Genius

“Can I help you?” a firm voice said.

Horatio swung around and saw a woman standing there at the end of the drive. She was young, short and chubby, wore a faded sundress and had a fat baby riding on her left hip. Her hair was dark and curly and in the humidity it clung to her head like a skullcap.He walked toward her. “I sure hope so. I’m trying to find out about the people who used to live in this house.”

She stared over his shoulder. “You mean the bums, druggies or whores?”

He followed her gaze. “Oh, is that what it’s used for these days?”

“I pray to the Lord to strike the sinners dead.”

“I presume the sinners don’t come by in the daylight, just at night.”

“Well ain’t no law says we got to hide in bed when it gets dark. So we see the evil and evil it is.”

“Well, I’m really sorry about that. But I wasn’t talking about the, um, evil. I was talking about a family named the Maxwells; they lived here about thirty years ago?”

“We’ve only been here five, so I wouldn’t know, would I?”

“Anyone else here who might?”

She pointed a thick finger at the farmhouse. “Because of that evil, ain’t nobody want to stay too long.” Her baby gave a hiccup and spittle ran down its mouth. She wiped him up with a rag she pulled from her pocket.

Horatio handed her a business card. “Well, if you think of anyone who might be able to help me, you can reach me at that number.”

She studied the card. “You a shrink?”

“Something like that.”

“From Wash-ing- ton ?” She said the word with a pronounced sneer. “This here’s Tennessee.”

“I have a big practice.”

“Why you want to know about these Maxwell folks?”

“It’s confidential, but I can tell you that it’s to try to help a patient of mine.”

“What’s it worth to you?”

“I thought you didn’t know them.”

“I know somebody who might. My granny. She gave us this house when she went in the nursing home. She lived there, oh, must’ve been forty years or so at least. Hell, Gramps is buried in the backyard.”

“That’s nice.”

“Grass grows real well over that spot, I tell you that.”

“I’m sure. So your grandmother’s at a nursing home. Near here?”

“State place, about an hour away. She couldn’t afford nothing fancy. That’s why she give us her house, so’s she could get help from the government. You know, so they wouldn’t know she had stuff.”

“Like assets to be used to pay for her care?”

“That’s right. Government screws everybody six ways from Sunday. We got to fight to get our fair share. Give it a few years and the Mexicans will run the whole damn place.” She looked to the sky. “Lord, strike me dead before that happens.”

“Be careful what you wish for. Do you think she might talk to me?”

“Maybe. She got good days and bad days. I try to go up to see her, but what with the baby and more kids in school, and gas ain’t exactly cheap is it?” She studied him. “So how much is it worth to you?” she asked again.

“Well, that depends on what she tells me.” Horatio took a moment to scrutinize her. “Let’s say if the information is good I’ll pay her a hundred dollars.”

“Pay her ! She ain’t got no use for the money. I meant pay me. ”

Horatio smiled. “Okay, I’ll pay you. Can you arrange for me to see her?”

“Well, seeing as how we got us a business arrangement I’ll go with you. Don’t want you leaving town without remembering the deal.”

“When can we go?”

“My man gets home at six. We can head out then. That way we get there after dinner. Old folks don’t like people interrupting their chow time.”

“Okay. What’s your grandmother’s name and the name of the nursing home?”

“Do I look stupid? You can follow me up in your car. I’ll take you to her room.”

“Fine. You say she has good and bad days. What does that mean exactly?”

“That exactly means that she’s losing her marbles. She’s got that demon stuff.”

Horatio cocked his head at this remark, worried that the young woman was totally nuts. Then he guessed what she meant. “You’re referring to dementia ?”

“That’s it. So you got to roll the dice and see what comes up.”

“Well, thank you for your help, uh…”

“Linda Sue Buchanan. My friends call me Lindy, but you ain’t my friend so you just stick to Linda Sue for now.”

“You can call me Horatio.”

“That’s one weird-ass name.”

“Well, I’m one weird-ass guy. I’ll see you here at six o’clock. And by the way, Linda Sue , the little bundle of joy just puked on your shoe.” He left her cursing and dragging her foot across the grass.

SANDY WAS SITTING up in bed looking much better. The nurse left them alone and Michelle drew next to the bed and took the older woman’s hand in hers.

“Okay, what the hell happened to you?” Michelle demanded.

Sandy smiled and gave a casual wave of her other hand, although the one holding Michelle’s tightened at the same time. “Oh, honey, it happens to me from time to time. Nothing to worry about. My old butt just hits a wall and everything sort of pops. They give me a little happy juice and I’m right as rain.”

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

“Absolutely.”

“I thought you’d had a seizure or something.”

“Now you see why I can’t hold down a job. And I think I would’ve made a hell of an airline pilot, don’t you?” She pantomimed using a PA system. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We’re about to begin our initial descent into hell and the person flying the plane, namely me, is about to freak out on you! So just hold on tight, you little bastards, while I try to lay this baby on the ground.” She gave a weak laugh and let go of Michelle’s hand.

“I’m sorry, Sandy. I really am.”

“Comes with the territory and I’m comfortable with that.”

Michelle hesitated. “I went into your room after they took you. I don’t know why, I guess I was just stunned. I heard someone else coming. I ducked behind the door and Barry came in.”

On this, Sandy sat up a little straighter. “Did he see you?”

“No, I ducked out. But I ratted on him to the head nurse, for all the good it’ll do me. He’s probably plotting his revenge as we speak.”

Sandy sat back. “What could he want in my room?”

Michelle shrugged. “Probably just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Or he might’ve been looking to take anything of value that wasn’t nailed down.”

Sandy made a snorting noise. “Well, I hope he can dig all the way to my bank because that’s where my good jewelry is. I never bring any of that with me to one of these places because it won’t be there when you leave.”

“Good thinking.”

Sandy tried to sit up some more and Michelle quickly went to her aid. She lifted the sheet up, exposing Sandy’s legs, took the woman around the waist and slid her higher on the pillow and then covered her legs back up.

“You’re strong,” Sandy remarked.

“You’re pretty muscular yourself.”

“Upper body, yes. But my legs are spaghetti and about as big.” Sandy sighed. “You should’ve seen the gams I used to have, Ann-Margret quality.”

Michelle smiled. “I’m sure.” Sandy’s legs were withered, which was why

Michelle had lifted the covers. She wanted to make sure Sandy really was disabled. Her instincts told her there was something wrong about Sandy.

“You look like you’re thinking way too hard,” Sandy said.