Page 46 of Home Team Advantage
“She passed?”
“No, dear, she left Otto for someone richer and better-looking. Last I heard, she was sunning her wrinkled backside on a yacht in Greece somewhere.” Elsa shook her head and patted Anna’s arm. “Don’t fret. I’m sure it’ll turn up.”
Anna sure hoped so.
* * *
The next day, she called the jeweler and spoke to the owner. He confirmed that he had completed work on the watch, but that it had already been picked up. He couldn’t say by whom because he’d been out sick the last few days and had someone else manning the store.
He was very upset when Anna explained the situation, as he was quite fond of Elsa and said she’d been a good customer for a long time. He promised to talk to the part-time help he’d hired to work the counter in his absence to see if they recalled who had picked up the watch. Anna almost told him not to bother with the pink-haired girl with the lip rings but refrained.
Things went from bad to worse when Eddie showed up at Mrs. Campbell’s door shortly afterward, looking grim and demanding to speak to his grandmother—alone. Anna didn’t like that idea at all. She didn’t trust him, but Elsa assured her that she’d been handling Eddie for years and would be fine.
Despite the niggling feeling in her gut, Anna gave them their privacy. While they were in the living room, discussing whatever it was they were discussing, Anna took the opportunity to change the sheets on her bed and give the carpet a good vacuuming.
Anna put the sweeper away. Hearing no murmur of voices, she peeked into the living room and saw Mrs. Campbell sitting alone in the living room, staring at something in her hand.
“Is Eddie gone?”
“Yes, he’s gone.”
The tone of her voice was off.
“Mrs. Campbell, is everything okay?”
Elsa’s face turned toward hers, her eyes lacking their usual sparkle. “I don’t know.”
Anna approached, anger heating her blood. What fresh hell had Eddie dumped on Elsa this time? The guy was such an asshole, coming in here and upsetting his grandmother like that. Not that he hadn’t done so before, but Elsa had stood her ground then. This time, she looked as if she’d been sucker-punched.
“What is it? Can I help?”
Elsa opened her palm. In it was the watch Anna had taken to the jeweler.
Relief flooded her. “Your watch! Oh, thank goodness! How did you get it?”
“Eddie brought it with him.”
“Oh?” Anna wondered how he’d gotten it. Was he the one who’d picked it up? How had he known it was there?
Elsa’s eyes dropped back to the watch. “He said he found it in a pawnshop.”
What? “A pawnshop! How did that happen?”
Elsa didn’t answer at first. She closed her hand around the watch. “The important thing is, it is back in my possession.”
“I’m so relieved. I felt horrible about the mix-up. Would you like me to put it back in your jewelry box?”
“No, thank you, dear. I’ll take care of it. I think I’m going to lie down for a while. My arthritis is making me feel every one of my years today, I’m afraid.”
“Might be the front that’s moving in,” Anna said. “Changes in barometric pressure can exacerbate flare-ups.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s it.”
“Would you like one of your pain pills?”
“You know I don’t like to take them, but, yes, I think I could use one today.”
Anna helped Mrs. Campbell into bed, then brought her a pill with a glass of water, a small cup of yogurt, and half a banana. Once the older woman was settled, Anna asked, “Can I get you anything else?”
