Archie Brinks breathed deeply and snapped his red and blue suspenders. He took Norma Dinnick’s will from his office vault. Settling into his desk chair, he swung his feet up onto the desk. On the stiff blue backing sheet was typed Original Last Will and Testament of Norma Dinnick, prepared by Harold Jenkins, Crane, Crawford, and Jenkins, solicitors. He examined the first page.

Archie irritably scanned several pages of boilerplate clauses and stopped at Clause Four which read,

After polishing his glasses, Archie gazed out his window onto the city twenty-five stories below. He had a clear view of the lake and the condominiums posted like sentries around it.

Norma was at least twenty years his senior. Fine looking woman in her day, but now she was a dried out husk. Completely batty, too. He knew she had the shares, all the money raised by the consortium, which Arthur had hidden. Crafty bitch.

That smart-ass Jenkins could cause no end of trouble with a new will. As executor of her estate, he could control the inventory. If he ever found the shares, he needn’t tell anyone. Half of what? Not the shares. His watch read four o’clock. Time to visit Norma again.

 

Lying still on her bed, Norma Dinnick could see the crisp red and yellow leaves on the trees outside her window. In annoyed tones, Arthur called out to her. “What are you waiting for? Hurry! Get the shares.”

The black figures surrounding her bed had come from upstairs to steal her silverware. When she finally dared to move, the figures disappeared.

Nearly crippled with arthritis, she gasped at the poker-hot pain grinding in her knuckles and up her arms. She hunted for the pills Archie brought. Although they did ease the pain, they cradled her in such darkness that she did not know who or where she was. When she tried to open the bottle, the capsules shot out and onto the floor. In the humps and hollows of the bedspread, she found one pill and popped it under her tongue.

An hour later, she awoke to banging at the front door. “I’m coming!” she cried out. At the door, she struggled with the latches and wires and peered out.

“Who is it?”

“Let me in. It’s me, Archie.” Pushing past her, he threw his coat on the sofa. “Did you take them?” he demanded.

“Take what, dear? Would you like a cup of tea?”

Archie hesitated. If he pushed too hard, she’d go off into her crazy world. “All right, Norma, I’ll have a cup.”

In the kitchen, she said, smiling brightly, “I took two pills last night, dear, just as you said.”

“That’s a good girl, Norma.” He lounged comfortably against the counter as she got down the teapot. “If you want to get better, the doctor says you have to take the pills regularly.”

“Which doctor is that?” She looked trustingly at him.

“You remember, dear. Dr. Greenberg. You saw him last week downtown. The medicine is for your arthritis.”

“I don’t like the downtown, Archie. It frightens me. So many strange people in such a hurry.”

He smiled indulgently and helped her with the tray.

“I was so hungry that I ate all the doughnuts you brought last time. Will you shop for me today?”

“Of course. I’ll get more for you. You like the chocolate ones?”

“I’d like a little bit of chicken, Archie.” She fumbled in her pocket. “I think I have enough money.”

“For heaven’s sake! Of course you have enough money. I showed you the bank statement, didn’t I?”

“Oh! I guess I forgot.” She set down her teacup and sighed. “Archie, I don’t like those pills. They make holes in my mind. And those tenants upstairs are driving me mad.”

“Listen!” He held up his hand. “If you keep talking about holes in your mind and tenants who aren’t there, people will think you’re crazy!” Archie waggled his finger at her. “And if you don’t take the pills, you won’t be able to live here. Dr. Greenberg will commit you to an asylum.”

Norma was aghast. “He could do that?”

“Yes,” said Archie with grave authority. “I’m only trying to look after you like Arthur wanted.” Alarmed at the distant expression on her face, he said, “Are you listening to me, Norma?” Awkwardly, he grasped her wrist. “Where are the pills? You’re due for one now.”

Norma could make no sense of his words. Shaking her head in frustration, she set down her cup. Archie thought she was refusing him.

Rising abruptly, he cursed. “Jesus Christ, woman! Just take the damn stuff.” Alarmed at his anger, he clenched one hand in the other. So easy to do it. The top of her head was covered with wispy strands of white hair. Stunned by his murderous instincts, he turned away.

“Norma?” he began more gently. “Where are the pills?” He saw her eyes glaze over. It was only to get her attention that he grabbed her shoulder.

She shrieked, “Don’t hurt me, please!” She heard the banging upstairs. Clutching both his hands, she begged, “Oh, Archie, please get them out! They’re upstairs right now.”

“What? Who?” Archie shook his head. “If you’re hearing ghosts, you’re nuts. I can’t hear a thing.” He studied her carefully. The crafty bitch was probably trying to keep him from finding the pills.

Norma struggled to stand up and drifted down the hallway, humming a tune.

“Where are you going?” he shouted.

“The bathroom. I’m going to be sick,” she said faintly.

He listened intently to hear the toilet flushing. Then he heard a thud, like a heavy bag of laundry landing on the floor. Archie banged on the door. “Are you all right?” Hearing only silence, he shoved open the door.

She had fallen awkwardly and was now heaped on the floor like a bird with a broken wing. Her head lolled backward, and her arm curled over the side of the tub. She did not move.

How convenient; a fall in the bathroom! Kneeling beside her, he felt for her pulse. No sign, not even a flutter. No chance to change her will. He stood up.

One eye flew open. “Help me Archie. I want to get up.” Breathing hard, she raised herself up on one elbow.

Archie was quick. “Of course. You’ve had a nasty fall.” His tone was solicitous. “Let me help you.”

Archie grunted and heaved. Goddamned heavy for a little old lady! He hadn’t budged her. With his arms hanging helplessly at his sides, he asked, “Nothing broken, I hope, dear?”

She shook her head uncertainly.

“Because I am going to have to pull you out of here.” Tossing off his jacket, he grabbed her under the arms and dragged her, shrieking, from the bathroom down the hall to her bedroom. By the time he had hoisted her onto her bed, his shirt was soaked, and he was red faced and panting.

“Archie, you’ve hurt me horribly. My arthritis …” she groaned.

“You have to take the medication, Norma.” He shoved her to the center of the bed. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”

When he returned, she was breathing heavily with little snorts and sniffles. The empty pill bottle sat on the night table. “What happened to them all?” he asked.

Her eyes opened, and she seemed to brighten. “They spilled on the floor.”

Archie dropped to his knees and searched through the carpet. At last, he had collected most of them. Puffing, he sat on the bed.

Norma sighed. “I’ll take the pills if you insist. But you must tell that doctor they make me sick.”

He patted her hand. “I’ll call him tomorrow.” He held out the glass of water and one red pill.

She took the capsule and popped it under her tongue. After sipping some water, she fell back, her eyes riveted on him. “I suppose you think I have the Elixicorp share certificates. Well, I don’t. Arthur never even showed them to me. Now let me sleep.” She closed her eyes and began to snore.

Stubborn old hag, he cursed under his breath. Don’t go to sleep. The pills don’t work that fast.

 With her eyes shut, she smiled wearily, “You’ve been talking to my lawyer, Harry Jenkins.”

“What?” Archie froze.

She spoke dreamily. “You don’t want me to change my will.”

“Why would you?” he demanded. “I’ve spent years looking after you. Just as Arthur wanted.”

Now she really was drifting off. Collecting the pills, he put a dozen in his pocket and the rest in the bottle. Just in case she decided to throw them out, he would still have some left over. Silently, he rose from the bed and left the apartment. When Norma heard the door close, she waited only a moment. She found a Kleenex and spat the pill out.