Freedom Village was buzzing! There were four women who, since hearing about this dead man in the Colonial Elevator, seemed to be huddled together in deep conversation.

Madge Bishop was one of them. Donna Adams, Ruth Viner, and Mary DeFeo were the other three.

The main thing that brought these four women to Florida and Freedom Village was the death of their husbands and the cold weather as a lot of elderly residents can attest to. The cold weather and the expense of maintaining a home, well, that had to end! Even if it meant not seeing their children and grandchildren that often. They could always visit them in the summer and likewise the families could visit Florida in the winter. That way the families could stay connected.

They knew about the Village because of their winter vacations there. They liked the fact that Bradenton was a clean, quiet, bedroom community which was strategically located close enough to Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. If you wanted culture, and entertainment you didn’t have that far to go.

The Village was beautiful with many highly educated and talented people and, thank God, a library. All of the ladies felt that they made a good move because of all the activities, and it just so happens, mahjong was their favorite.

All four of these women had another thing in common … their fascination with murder mysteries. Mary watches true life crime and forensics. Donna likes espionage and Ruth, and Mary were Alfred Hitchcock fans. So naturally, these four women were caught up in the Village mystery.

They decided to meet in one of their apartments. They did not want people to be stopping by to chat; it would be too distracting. Mary offered her apartment. Since she liked to cook, she could offer them treats and drinks. All agreed, so Mary’s it was. They would meet that afternoon at 3PM. That way they could go over any new murder gossip. “Just think” Mary said, “a real life murder where we live and breathe!”
As long as it isn’t one of us, Ruth added.

That afternoon Mary brought up a few facts:
1. The victim was staying at the Colonial temporarily because he was working for the FV owners as an accountant in our community.

2) There has also been some unsavory men here at strange hours.

“Oh,” said Donna, “Why didn’t someone report it!” She was quite shocked. “You know,” she went on, “I think Freedom Village should put up cameras at all the entrances to the buildings and in the hallways…both sides!”

“Who knows?” Mary said, “It may come to that.

“Again,” Donna put forth, “this may do away with Ruth’s idea of maybe one or two women having an affair with him…. what did they call those kind of women?”….Not to miss a beat, Ruth chimed in “Cougars” “Older women and younger men. Truth is stranger than fiction” she went on, “take a good look at the women here. There are many here that are very attractive, dress beautifully, in good shape and have a young attitude!”

“Are you talking about yourself?” said Donna jokingly.
“Not at all.” Said Ruth. “But to be honest, you only live once.”

Donna felt that she had to warn Ruth about something that happened to a friend of hers not too long ago. A nice man in his fifties showered her friend with compliments and she fell for it hook, line and sinker. “To spare you of the gory details,” she said, “my friend almost lost her savings. “Come to find out that is all he was after! A purse! I’m told depending on the age of the men, it’s either “a nurse or a purse”.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, let’s get back to what we know! Which isn’t much.” Says Madge.

“To rehash,” Madge stated, “Mr. Fairhaven is an accountant for the Freedom Village owners. Could he have been messing around with the books to pay back the mob boss and he ended up, as they say, over his head. No pun intended. I heard that his throat was slashed from ear to ear which almost removed his head. Maybe the unsavory men have been blackmailing him over his dealings with the mob. Fairhaven certainly would not want the Freedom Village owners to know about it, if, in fact, it was true. Maybe the unsavory men were tired of the cat and mouse game that he was dishing out and they gave him an ultimatum.” Madge went on, “You know, you can’t go to the mob to help you get out of a jam. You owe them a favor in return… when they come to collect, you better not say no. Putting it mildly…they own you!

Ruth could not wait to tell them what she had found out. After having another drink she began…ladies, I was at the colonial visiting with our friend Minjie. As we were in the lobby talking, a big guy walks by and says hi to Minjie. Minjie says hi Lou, they talk a little bit and then he goes on his way but not before Minjie introduces him to me. Ruth goes on, I couldn’t believe my eyes! After he left I said, I know him. I use to dance with him and a lot of other Italian men. I can’t remember his last name but his first name was Lou. They called him “The Hammer! Could it be Ferrigno, Minjie asked? Yes! That’s it! Replied Ruth.

I’m not surprised that he didn’t recognize me. I was in my early 30’s but I looked a lot younger back then. Nobody thought that I was 30! Anyhow,
I remember him! Wow!

Say what you will about the Mafia, they were complete gentlemen with me. Whenever I left the club or bar, they would see to it that I got in my car safely.

“I always knew that you had “past” said Donna. Don’t we all have skeletons in our closet answered Ruth.

O.K, Mary said’ I think that we have gone as far as we can with this mystery. We are not going to be any help to the detectives. Even if Ruth did have a past and even if she did dance with Italian, Mafia men, this is not our territory! Let’s do what is our territory! Play mahjong, they all said together!