After eating, he followed her through the lobby, then up the stairs to her room."I'll knock in about forty-five minutes."
"I'll be ready," Cadie said.
*****
Olivia Stewart's apartment was in an older building on the edge of the historic district.The neighborhood was modest but well maintained.Barrett parked on the street, and he and Cadie walked to the entrance together.
The building had six apartments, three on each floor.Olivia's was on the second.Barrett pressed the buzzer, and after a moment, a woman's voice came through the intercom."Hello…?"
"It's Barrett Anson and Cadie Ladd.We have an appointment."
"Of course, come up."
The door buzzed, and they entered a small foyer with stairs leading up.The interior was clean but dated, with worn carpet on the steps and paint that had seen better days.They climbed to the second floor and found her apartment.
Olivia opened the door.She was a woman in her mid-forties, with light brown hair to her shoulders.She looked tired and her eyes were red, as if from crying.Maybe she hadn't been sleeping well.She wore dark slacks and a simple blouse, well groomed despite the signs of stress.
Her skin was pale, and there was little warmth in her smile."Please, come in."
Cadie stepped inside and Barrett followed.The apartment was small and tidy, furnished simply but with care.A sofa and armchair were in the living area, with a small dining table near the kitchen.Photographs hung on the walls, mostly of elderly people in what looked like care facilities.
There were no personal photos of family or friends, just the professional ones and a few generic landscape prints.
"Can I get you coffee or tea?"Olivia said, gesturing toward the small kitchen.
"Coffee would be great, thank you," Cadie said.
Barrett nodded his agreement, using the moment to observe.The apartment matched what he would expect from a woman with Olivia's income.There were no signs of extravagance.It was a modest home of a woman who worked in healthcare.
Olivia prepared coffee with shaking hands.Barrett noticed the tremor but said nothing.It might simply be nerves about meeting them.She carried three mugs to the living area and set them on the coffee table, then settled into the armchair across from Barrett and Cadie on the sofa.
"I'm so sorry for your loss," Olivia said to Cadie, her eyes filling with tears."Your aunt was a wonderful woman."
Cadie's voice was gentle."I understand you cared for her for several years."
Olivia reached for a tissue from the box on the side table."I was with her for nearly four years.I started working with her when she could no longer manage on her own.She needed help with daily tasks, medications, and getting to appointments."She dabbed at her eyes."She was more than a patient to me.She became like family."
Barrett watched Olivia's face as she spoke.The grief appeared genuine, the emotion raw.
"Tell us about her final months," Barrett said, keeping his tone conversational."How was her health?"
Olivia looked down at her coffee cup."She declined gradually.It started about six months ago.She was tired more often, sleeping more during the day.Her energy just wasn't there anymore."She looked up, meeting Barrett's eyes."It happens with age, especially with her heart condition.The doctor said it was expected."
"Did her medications change during that time?"Barrett asked.
"A few times, the doctor adjusted her dosages to try to help with the fatigue and other symptoms."Olivia's hands tightened around her mug."I was meticulous in administering her medications."
Barrett made a mental note to verify the dates of doctor visits and medication changes.
Cadie leaned forward slightly."How did she pass?"
Olivia's expression crumpled."Peacefully, in her sleep.I found her when I came in with her morning medications.I called 911 immediately, but there was nothing they could do."
Barrett noted the timeline.Olivia had found her in the morning, so she hadn't stayed overnight.And if she found Celia Ann at medication time, how did Olivia know the death had been peaceful?But he kept his expression neutral, just absorbing information.
"That must have been very difficult for you," Cadie said softly.
"It was rough."Olivia looked directly at her."I know you didn't see your aunt often in recent years, but she spoke of you sometimes.She was proud of your music career and your success in New Orleans."
