Double Cross Read Online Free PDF Page A

p.m. seven days a week. Their grandson, Officer Hilton, provides the transportation.”
    Laurel googled Silver Hospitality and learned it was a private facility off Memorial Drive that specialized in memory care, likely the reason the younger Hilton accompanied the older couple. How sad for him.
    “I don’t have dementia,” Mrs. Hilton said, her brown eyes bright with intelligence. At one time, her hair must have been a vivid red, and the years had merely softened the color. “I accompany Earl to the facility six days a week as a companion. We’ve been together for seventy years, and I don’t intend to stop because of a little mind blip. I spend most of the day with my husband, but sometimes I leave him alone with his friends to play games and talk.” She straightened and revealed the sophistication of years gone by. “We’re here because Earl was scammed and possibly a few others.” She rested her hand atop her husband’s.
    Officer Hilton smiled at his grandmother, and she relaxed. Sweet sight.
    “And you believe a crime has been committed?” Su-Min said to Mrs. Hilton.
    “Yes, but I was not privy to any financial arrangements. Earl told me he had purchased a life insurance policy, and I ignored him. Then the savings account statement came in, and fifty thousand dollars was missing.” She sighed. “We are financially secure, but the theft needs to be addressed.”
    “Abby, I’m so sorry,” Earl said. “The FBI and Daniel will help us get our money back and find the answers.”
    The older man appeared lucid, but if this man had Alzheimer’s or dementia, little of what he said in court would be valid.
    “You’re thinking I haven’t a clue what I’m talking about.” Earl folded his hands on the table. “Yes, I’ve been diagnosed with the big A. That means my mind jumps around from time to time, and it could happen during this conversation. So I need to say a few things now just in case.”
    The grandson stiffened. Yet his eyes emitted warmth and caring.
    “My grandson here is a blessing. Daniel has his own home andresponsibilities, but he’s ready at a moment’s notice to take care of Abby and me. Spends more time at our house than his. He was totally against the meeting today. In fact, he’s helping Silver Hospitality conduct staff interviews to see if any of them bypassed the security system to let the salesman inside. But I threatened to come alone. One of our friends just passed, and I know he purchased something from the swindler. A woman at the facility bought sour goods too.”
    “What was your friend’s name?” Su-Min said.
    “Tom Hanson.”
    “What was the name of the company and the salesman?”
    Mr. Hilton pulled a slip of paper from his shirt pocket. “I found this inside my Bible, the name of Russell Jergon. I think he represented a company called Lifestyle Insurance. As I said, my mind isn’t what it used to be. I remember a gravelly voice.”
    Su-Min handed the piece of paper to Thatcher and on to Laurel, who did a quick search and found nothing listed for the business or the salesman. Neither did the slip of paper have the business’s name. “Do you have an address or phone number?” Laurel said.
    “No, ma’am. Jergon visited the center during the afternoon. Talked to Tom, Emma, and me.” The lines in his face deepened. “Are you real agents or are you playing a game?”
    Compassion poured through her. “No reason to feel deceived. We’re here to help. Were you given a receipt?”
    “All I remember is the man said he preferred to send an e-receipt. I didn’t want to sound like a product of the Dark Ages, so I gave him the address Daniel had suggested I use for setting up an e-mail account.” He shook his head. “Why I didn’t give him Daniel’s e-mail is ludicrous. Anyway, I intended to go home and have him get me online, but I forgot.”
    “It’s all right, Gramps,” Officer Hilton said.
    A tear slipped from a clouded eye. “I’m aware of how ridiculous