Fever Rich: A Mercy Mares Cozy Mystery by Ava Mallory Read Free Book Online Page B

Mr. Rich does for a living or, in his case, what he did.” I thought this was the perfect opportunity to gather some information and get some insight into who this man – the myth, the legend – really was and why Ruby was in such a tizzy when she'd spoken about him.
     
    Scooter pulled the car over and turned to speak to me. “Really? You've never heard of him? Well, I think, you're the first person I'd ever heard say that.”
     
    I didn't know how to respond to that without seeming rude. The truth was prior to this assignment, I didn't really care to know about a man that didn't have a direct influence on my life. I was no prude or anything. I was just busy.
     
    “He's an investor. That's what he calls himself these days. You know the part of town he lives in – Richland Estates? Well, his development company built that and probably half of the developments in Northern California and beyond. He comes from old money. His family had their hands in everything from steel to oil to iron ore. Some years back, his father ran for office. Granted, it was a state office, but he held it for many, many years. All that he had, went to his beloved son, Nathaniel. He didn't leave a dime to either of Mr. Rich's sisters and they haven't stopped bellyaching about that for decades. You'll meet them and see for yourselves how bitter, they are about the whole ordeal.” Scooter explained.
     
    “So, there's bad blood? That's such a shame. Is there a Mrs. Rich?” I asked because I hadn't seen any photos of someone who could be his wife.
     
    Scooter laughed a hearty laugh. “Oh, that's a road you don't want to go down. Mr. Rich lives alone these days, well, except for Cash, of course. Now, we don't speak about his ex or make mention of anything related to marriage where Mr. Rich is concerned.”
     
    “How did Cash come to live with him? Where are Cash's parents?” I asked, hoping I wasn't pushing my luck with all of my questions.
     
    The question brought our conversation to a halt. Scooter's smile faded and was replaced by frown lines.
     
    “Let's call this one of those things that we don't discuss, privately or publicly. Well, here's the credit card. I've been instructed to tell you that Mr. Rich would prefer that you wear a traditional nurse's uniform. I'll wait right here for you while you shop.” He said, eager to change the subject.
     
    I wonder what that's all about. I took the card, but no way was I planning on using it.
     
    *
    “You're late,” Lucilla said as she handed me a tray with assorted breakfast items on it. “Take this upstairs to him and make sure he eats all of it. I don't know what's going on, but he hasn't been interested in eating lately.
     
    You think it might have anything to do with all that food he has stashed in his closet?
     
    I walked up the stairs, carrying the tray and my bag, ready to report for duty. My crisp, white uniform that was in desperate need of fabric softener must have met her approval because she didn't protest.
     
    I knocked on Cash's bedroom door.
     
    “Who is it,” he yelled in a singsong voice.
     
    If anything could ease tension, it was the sound of a child's voice. When I opened the door, I was surprised by the way he looked. His eyelids drooped. His skin was pale.
     
    “How are you feeling today,” I asked, reaching for his wrist to feel his pulse. It beat rapidly.
     
    “My head hurts,” he answered, closing his eyes.
     
    “How long has it hurt?” I asked, counting his respirations.
     
    “Forty years,” he answered, grinning at me.
     
    I adjusted the pile of blankets that were wrapped around his tiny body. “Are you cold?” I asked.
     
    He shook his head and helped me remove the blankets. “No, but Lucilla thinks I am. She's always babying me.”
     
    His blue pajamas were drenched in sweat. I immediately pulled all of the blankets off of him. “Let's take your temperature, then, we'll get you out of those clothes.”
     
    Cash cooperated. He was