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Chapter Fifty-one

Ben shuffled some papers on his desk. At least he was making progress on these orders. Strange how their company was not doing well financially, yet he was swamped with work.

         A green button lit up the company phone. A call from the outside, which Ben ignored. Janelle would answer it. The green light keep blinking, then finally stopped.

         Oh yeah… Janelle was in the passageway, trying to solve a murder.

         Ben shook his head, and a smile tipped his lips. She was so cute when she was serious, telling him this was her case.  

         But he didn’t like her in that passageway by herself. What if she got hurt?

         He had come so close to kissing her in his dad’s office. But that was not the right time or place. He should take her out to dinner tonight. Then afterwards…

         Hopefully it would make her forget about the murder.

         Ben’s cell phone rang. He dug it from his pocket. “Hello?”

         “Ben!” Uncle Elliot sounded agitated. “I tried calling you on the company phone. Is Janelle sick today?”

         “No…uh.” He didn’t want to mention the secret passageway. What if Elliot was the murderer?

         “Well, no matter.” Elliot paused. “I took Ida to that brain specialist this morning. We just got back from St. Louis.”

         “Really? She didn’t tell me she was going out today.”

         “She didn’t know!” His uncle brayed out a laugh. “I tricked her into taking a leisurely drive with me. You know how she always loved to travel. While we were in St. Louis we just happened to stop by Dr. Prescott’s office. I told him about Ida’s symptoms, and he offered to test her right then.” Elliot chuckled again. “She could hardly refuse.”

         Ben rolled his eyes. That “offer” had been a set up. He almost felt sorry for Aunt Ida, although he was glad she was tested. “So when will we find out the results?”

         “I gave Dr. Prescott your cell number, Ben. He’ll probably call you this evening some time.”

         “Why is he calling me instead of you?”

         “Oh, well, uh…” Elliot almost sounded embarrassed. “I have a heavy date tonight, and I’ll be tied up.”

         Ben might have a date himself, if Janelle agreed to go out with him. But Ben wanted to know what was wrong with Aunt Ida. “Okay, I’ll talk to him. Uh, thanks, Uncle Elliot. I appreciate what you’re doing for Aunt Ida.”

         “Someone has to help the old girl.” Elliot laughed. “See you later.”

         Ben ended the call. What if Aunt Ida had Alzheimer’s? What if he needed to put her in a nursing home? Hopefully the nursing home where she worked for twelve years would give them a discount. What was the name of that home? North Park? North Peak?

         Whatever. Ida would remember.

         Maybe.

* * *

         Until tomorrow, God bless!