“Never,” McKay said. “’Course, I’m deaf….”

“Oh, shut up! What the hell! Just wheel me over to the lady. I’ll finish my ice cream with her. Can you get me another one, Leek? They were real miserly with the grub today.”

“Lita…”

“C’mon, Leek. Do an old lady a favor.”

“I guess I’ll do it this time.”

“At’s my boy. Give me sugar, gorgeous.”

The nurse kissed the top of her pink hair, then wheeled her into a corner and motioned Marge over.

“I’ll let you two ladies talk.”

Lita took off her glasses and stared at Marge. Her eyes were clouded by cataracts, but the color that was visible was deep green flecked with chocolate shavings. Lita said, “You want some ice cream, honey?”

“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass,” Marge said.

“It’s real good. Spumoni.”

“No, thank you. I’m really fine.”

Lita moved in closer and whispered, “Ask him for some anyway. I’ll eat it.”

Marge looked up at Leek. “Can I have some ice cream?”

McKay nodded his head. “Sure, Detective. I’ll be back.”

“Don’t you just love him?” Lita laughed, then dropped her voice to a whisper. “We’re in cahoots together.”

“What do you mean?”

Lita moved toward Marge until they were almost nose-to-nose, the old woman smelling as stale as mothballs. “Home thinks they own me lock, stock, and barrel, the dumb clucks. I have a secret account that even Marie doesn’t know about. Turned out to be a pretty good investment. Leek set it all up.”

Marge’s ears perked. “Leek set what up?”

“The partnership or somethin’ or other. He’s made me a good little nest egg. Soon I’m gonna retire to Hawaii. Whadaya think about that?”

Retire from what? Marge thought. “Lita, how much of a nest egg are we talking about?”

“Why? You wanna go in?”

“No, I just want to make sure you’re protected. That Leek isn’t doing something funny.”

Lita exploded into laughter, spittle flying out of her mouth. “Leek? Leek don’t need money. He’s a zillionaire. He just works here for fun.”

Marge paused. Either Leek had her completely snowed, or the woman was in fantasyland. “You say he works here for fun?”

“Yep. He works here ’cause he loves us. He loves me. Everyone who works here loves me.”

Marge gave her a weak smile. “How much did you give him, Lita?”

“I don’t know. ’Bout a hundred bucks. ’Course, it’s worth a lot more than that now. It’s worth a fortune from what Leek’s told me. He says soon it’s Hawaii time. This place is okay, but c’mon. How long can I look at these walls without falling off my rocker? Or wheelchair. Leek said he’d even come and take care of me, that gorgeous hunk of manhood. Whadaya think about that?”