Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(13)

“Everything okay?” I asked casually.

Hanna nodded and gave a nervous laugh. “Sure thing, Sheriff.”

“You two looked like you were having a passionate discussion about something.”

“Oh, well… we were just talking… politics. You know how that is.” Hanna straightened a few knickknacks on a shelf as she spoke.

I turned to Ned. “Don’t want to get too worked up over things you can’t change.”

“Agreed.” Ned ran a hand over his shiny head. “My main reason for coming in was to order some antique lampshades for my house.” He avoided my gaze.

“Yeah. Um… do you want them delivered, or did you want to pick them up?” Hanna asked politely, flicking her gaze to mine. “They should be in next Tuesday.”

“Uh… I’ll come pick them up.” Ned shifted uneasily.

A tiny silence fell.

Hanna cleared her throat. “I should be finished here in just a sec, Sheriff. Anything I can help you find?”

It was obvious she wanted to get rid of me, and I was fairly certain no one had been ordering lampshades. But whatever was going on, Hanna didn’t seem upset or threatened, which was really my main concern. “I’ll just browse. I need to get Maria a little something for her birthday.”

“Oh, of course. There are some lovely antique necklaces up toward the front window.”

She couldn’t have directed me to a farther place in the room if she’d tried. I hid my smile and went over to investigate the jewelry. They whispered furiously for about five minutes, and then Ned stomped toward the door. He glanced over at me, and his face was flushed, but he forced a smile when he met my gaze.

“See you around, Sheriff.” He left the shop.

Hanna went into her office and closed the door with a bang, and I shook my head. Ordering lampshades my ass. About ten minutes later she came out and joined me.

I held up a necklace. “This is pretty.”

“Aren’t they lovely?” She smiled cheerfully. “We got those from Mrs. Pinitas’s estate. They’re simply gorgeous. The detail and craftsmanship in those days was unparalleled.”

I held up a fancy drop-pendant necklace.

She sighed. “One of my favorites. That’s a fourteen-karat Victorian nouveau period lavaliere necklace. Those are seed pearls. Very, very beautiful.”

“Hmmm.” I peered closer at the necklace. “It is nice.” I noticed it didn’t have a price tag. That was never a good sign if you asked me. “How much?”

She laughed awkwardly. “It’s a steal for only two hundred and fifty dollars.”

I winced. “Um… that might be a little steep as a gift for my housekeeper. She might start thinking I have scandalous intentions toward her.” I smirked. “I was thinking more in the forty-dollar range.”

“Of course.” She smiled and led me to a case of necklaces and earrings that were all clearly marked.

I nodded. “This is probably more my style.” I grinned and picked up a pair of pretty blue topaz earrings. “These look perfect. I know she likes blue, and forty-five dollars is just right.”

“Excellent choice.” She took them from me and headed to the cash wrap area.

Following, I pulled my wallet from my back pocket. “So, what had Ned’s panties in a bunch earlier?” I drawled.

She grimaced and kept her eyes down. “What do you mean?”

“If he was picking lampshades, he takes that a little too seriously, if you ask me.” I studied her tense face. “He seemed upset.”

She continued to avoid my gaze. “Oh, you know Ned. He’s just very particular.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I do know Ned and he’s not the least bit interested in decorating.”

She finally looked up, and her expression was guarded. “Well, we were just discussing lamp sockets—”

“You mean shades?” I squinted.

She flushed and pushed the earrings into a little white bag. “Yes. Shades. Sorry, I’m a little distracted.”

“Uh-huh.” I shook my head. “So long as he didn’t upset you. You two want to have secrets, that isn’t any of my business.”

Her cheeks were still pink, but she pressed her lips tight and shrugged.

“You have a nice day, Hanna.”

“You too, Sheriff.”

I took my purchase and left the shop, wondering what in the world they were up to. But since neither Ned nor Hanna struck me as criminal masterminds, I decided to drop it. It was obvious she hadn’t wanted to talk, and I had no real reason to keep pushing.

I went into the Pancake Palace to grab some lunch. I sat at the bar, and Polly the waitress approached looking harassed. “Hey, Sheriff. What can I get you?”

“Chicken salad sandwich with fries and an iced tea, please.” I folded the little package that had the earrings and stuffed it in my pocket.

“You’ve got it.” She hurried away, slipping her pencil behind her ear.

The cafe was always crowded for lunch, and today was no exception. I noticed a man over by the window talking animatedly on the phone. The only reason he stood out to me was because he wore a suit, and for a split second I thought he was Maxwell. My pulse calmed once I realized he wasn’t. He was a stranger. I knew everyone in Rainy Dale, at least by sight, and this man wasn’t from around here.