Someone Perfect for Mr. Moore by Lucy J. Whittaker Page A

was at death’s door the first night I took care of him.  Do you
think he could have been poisoned or something?”  She worried her lip as she
talked.
    Henry raised his eyebrows at her.  “It is hard to believe
that he was that bad.  I suppose heavy metal poisoning or maybe arsenic could
have caused his symptoms.”
    “Is there a way to test for that?  This is so far out of my
element.”
    “Most of it would be out of his system by now, unless we
could test his hair.”  Henry looked at her thoughtfully for a moment and then
he rubbed his forehead.  “Can you discreetly get some of his hair for me?  I
don’t want to cause any alarm, or let anyone know what we are doing.”  He
opened his bag and pulled out a specimen cup.
    Lucy took the cup from him.  “I know I can, he just had his
hair trimmed this morning before you came.  I’m sure the bin hasn’t been
emptied yet.”  She looked up at him. “I’ll be right back.”
    Henry stood in the hallway and watched her go back into
Stan’s room, hiding the cup in her skirt.  If Lucy’s suspicions were real, how
could he tell Stan and Dean that an attempt had been made on his life? 
Thankfully he only had to wait a few minutes and then Lucy came back with the
container.  He placed it in his bag and as she walked him out he gave her some
instructions for Stan’s care.
    Henry stood by his car and shook Lucy’s hand.  “I’m glad
that Stan has you taking care of him Lucy.  You care about him that is plain to
see.  I just hope everything turns out all right.”
    “Me too, thank you doctor.”
    “Please call me Henry.”  He smiled as he got inside the car;
he was rewarded with a warm smile from her as she waved to him. 
    She watched him drive away with a heavy heart.  Did she do
the right thing?  She looked up and noticed Alcide standing in the doorway
watching her.  She went back into the house and ignored him as she passed by. 
She needed some answers and she knew who she needed to talk to.
    She made her way through the house, out the patio and into
the garden.  She and Reggie had seen Nicole out here yesterday; maybe she came
out here in the afternoons.  She went further inside till she came to the
trellis and walked under it.  She smiled as she saw Nicole sitting on the
swing.
    “Hey Nicole,” Lucy said.
    “Hi Lucy,” she said as she moved over to make room for Lucy
to sit with her.  “How are you today?”
    “I’m fine,” Lucy hesitated, how did she do this; none of
this was really her business? “I know you saw me leave Dean’s room last night. 
Does it bother you that we have been together?”
    “Me?  Heavens no.  It’s been so long since he has been
interested in someone, I’m glad.  I like you Lucy; I think you are good for
him.”
    Lucy smiled at her, she was so nice. “I was wondering if I
could talk to you about something.”
    “I thought you might, what would you like to know?”  Nicole
smiled.
    “Why don’t your dad and Dean get along?”
    Nicole sighed.  “Oh, where should I start?  First off Dean
controls the estate, all but the horses that is.  Dad has control over all the
horses, breeding, racing, what animals are bought or sold.”
    “That bothers Dean?”  Lucy asked with a frown, granted she
didn’t know him all that well, but it seemed odd.
    “Sort of, he wanted to have Jasper put down, but my dad
refused.”
    “Jasper! Put down, what on earth for?  He’s a wonderful
animal.”  Lucy was shocked.
    “I had an accident a few years ago.  Dean was convinced that
Jasper was to blame, but my dad didn’t think so.  They fought about it for
quite a while, and now they don’t talk, any communication comes through
Alcide.”
    “I’m sorry for saying this, but I don’t like him.  I’m not
sure what it is, but there is just something about him.”
    “Don’t be sorry, I don’t like him either.  He is a very
dangerous man.  He and Dean have been friends for years, since they