Read Online Bruja Brouhaha by Rochelle Staab - Free Book Online

the Bellevue Country Club bookended stacks of paper on a credenza. Tony and more Tony. No distinguishable family or children. If he was married, he kept his personal life very personal.
    He hung up the phone. “We won’t get the blood test results until tomorrow, but you appear to be in excellent health, Liz. Congratulations. Keep up the good work. I’ll let Carmen and Victor know you completed the physical. I didn’t realize how close you were to them or that you knew the Rojases until I saw you at the wake.”
    “We’re very close. Nick and I became friends with Paco and Lucia because of Carmen and Victor,” I said. “Carmen and my mother are both members of the group sponsoring next week’s fund-raiser.”
    “I hope Carmen recovers from her surgery by then. I’d hate . . .” He stopped himself and held up a hand.
    “Don’t worry. Carmen is one of the most determined women I know,” I said. “She’ll have Victor carry her in if she has to.”
    “Please tell your mother how grateful we are for the time and effort her group put into helping the clinic. The showers will add some dignity to the homeless in the neighborhood. Assure her I will donate my own time to work with the Cherries on details if needed.” He closed my file to signal the end of our meeting.
    “One more question, if you don’t mind?” I said.
    “I don’t mind if it’s a short one, Liz. I have patients waiting.”
    “Lucia Rojas?”
    Tony nodded, his face grave. “Yes. What about her?”
    “Her behavior yesterday at the wake. I thought about what you said. I still believe she’s safer at home, but agitation and failure to recognize familiar faces are symptoms of dementia. What do you think?”
    “You should discuss this with Victor. Lucia is his patient,” Tony said.
    “I don’t want to approach Victor without a second opinion to validate my suspicions. And you had a definite opinion yesterday.” I sat forward. “I’m curious what led you to the conclusion that Lucia belongs in a nursing home.”
    Tony leaned back. “Victor and I discussed Lucia briefly when he asked for my help to hire a caretaker. Paco’s death was a severe shock to her nervous system. Yesterday I noticed Lucia veered between fantasy and reality. The hex on the neighborhood was, in my opinion, the act of a troubled and hurt woman. I see your concern about dementia. Her age makes her a strong candidate.”
    “I wish I knew more about her medical background. Lucia’s personality changed dramatically after the shooting. I care about her. I want to help her,” I said.
    “In your professional opinion, does Lucia’s mental state make her a danger to herself or others? If so, there are legal measures you can initiate.”
    “I can’t take legal measures. I’m not her psychologist. I’m asking as a friend,” I said.
    “Oh.” Tony straightened in his chair. “I assumed by your questions that you were acting as her psychologist.”
    I shook my head. “I’m sorry if I was misleading.”
    “My fault for misinterpreting. We’ll keep this discussion between us, and leave it at that.” Tony stood. “Call Helen tomorrow for your blood test results. My best to Carmen if you see her.”
    I left his office and walked into a commotion in the reception area. Two little boys I remembered from Paco’s wake pulled at each other and at the skirt of the wild-eyed young mother trying to soothe the screaming baby in her arms. A blood-soaked towel covered the baby’s arm; a red bump swelled on his forehead.
    Helen brushed past me to the mother. “Mrs. Lopez, what happened?”
    “His arm. He fell down the steps. His arm.” She kissed the baby’s head. “Senora Rojas hexed him. The
bruja
broke my baby’s arm.”

Chapter Eight
    H elen spotted the bloody towel on the baby’s arm and said, “Jackson, get someone to take the other children to the playroom. I have to get the baby into an exam room right now.”
    The boys, bursting with the raucous energy of