Free Evil Never Dies (The Lizzy Gardner Series Book 6) by T.R. Ragan Page B

meet you. Let’s go.”
    Kitally returned the magazine to the pile on the table, then hurried to catch up to the woman. She followed Janice to the left, away from where the woman sat in the wheelchair. “What was that all about?” Kitally asked.
    “What?”
    “The animal noises.”
    “Oh, that was just Ms. Trumble having some fun. She loves animals, and I think it makes her happy to hear all the animal sounds.”
    “So,” Janice said as they walked. “You’re looking for a place for your grandmother?”
    “Yes.”
    “How old is she?”
    “Um, seventy-six.”
    “She’s young. You realize we’re a full nursing-care facility, not just assisted living. She needs twenty-four-hour medical care to be admitted.”
    “Yes, I know. Mom is taking care of her now, and it’s becoming too much of a burden for her.”
    “Does she need long-term care or short-term?”
    Kitally was at a loss. The truth was her grandmother had died when Kitally was very young. “I’m not sure at this point. If I could just have a quick look around, then report back to my mom, that would be best.”
    Kitally followed Janice into a large room. “As you can see, this is the recreation room.”
    Kitally couldn’t see that at all. There was no music. No life. Three women played cards, but that was the extent of the entertainment.
    Next, she was shown the cafeteria, the kitchen, the outside area that consisted of two plastic chairs and a weathered bench. There wasn’t anywhere nice to sit and enjoy the day. The sound of the freeway was deafening. No birdsong. No greenery. She hadn’t thought about it before, but Kitally realized she didn’t like the idea of growing old. She thought of Helsie, the reason she was here. Dementia was an awful disease. If the woman had been abused, had she known what was happening to her? Were there moments of clarity where she knew exactly where she was and what was going on? Stuck in this place with no one to protect her. Not cool.
    “What do you think about Shady Oaks?” Kitally asked.
    Janice used her fingernail to dislodge something from her tooth. “It’s a great place. I’d bring my mother here if I could afford it.”
    Kitally didn’t believe it for a moment. “Could I see the rooms where residents sleep and spend most of their day?”
    “We’re all filled up at the moment. I’m not allowed to disturb our residents. I’m sorry.” She picked at a scab on her arm. It took every bit of restraint Kitally could muster to not make a face.
    “Janice Unger,” a voice called over the loudspeaker. “Please come to the front desk.”
    The woman glanced at her watch. “Oh, would you look at that. It’s time for my next tour.”
    “I just need a little more time,” Kitally said, sniffling. “I just can’t imagine bringing my grandma to a nursing home and leaving her.” She wiped at nonexistent tears.
    The woman shifted uncomfortably on her feet.
    “Go on,” Kitally said. “I just need a few minutes to collect myself. I know the way out.”
    “OK. If you’re sure.”
    Kitally turned her back to the woman and sniffled again as she headed for the weathered bench. The moment she heard the door swing shut, Kitally stood up and followed her into the building. She headed back the same way Janice had brought her. In fact, she saw Janice talking to the new visitors. The frizzy-haired woman was no longer standing behind the desk, giving Kitally a chance to head the other way. The lady in the wheelchair was gone.
    In the first bedroom she came upon, Kitally saw an elderly woman being spoon-fed her lunch by a middle-aged woman wearing a green Shady Oaks smock. Nobody noticed her standing a few feet from the door. Everything in the room looked neat and orderly.
    The next room was empty, which was odd considering she’d just been told the place was full. She walked inside. It was a small room, twelve-by-twelve at the most. No windows. Claustrophobic. She stepped back into the hallway and continued on,