Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(25)

Moonlight filtered through the gauzy curtains that covered the windows of the waiting room. I was tempted to call the police, but I didn’t want to look like an idiot. At least the first time I’d called I’d actually seen an intruder with my own eyes. This time I had no idea if anyone was really creeping around my house or if my imagination was playing tricks on me.

Sucking in a steadying breath, I forced myself to walk through the room. Every shadow and nook in the room seemed sinister when my sense of fear was so heightened. I gripped my flashlight, ready to use it as a weapon if needed. I didn’t have the nerve to flick it on because I felt like it would draw attention to me, and I preferred to hide in the shadows myself.

I opened the door to my office slowly, and I took a step into the room. That room was darker than the waiting area, so I was forced to turn on my flashlight. I couldn’t see anything out of order, so I closed the door and went toward the kitchen. When I entered the kitchen, the first thing I saw was the back door wide open. The chill that went down my spine was almost a physical pain it was so intense. I immediately backed out of the room, and with my hands shaking like crazy, I dialed 911.

As I spoke I hurried toward the front porch. I wanted out of the house. I felt trapped and terrified that if someone had broken in, they were still in there. I ran down the front steps, breathlessly babbling to the operator as the hairs on the back of my neck stiffened. She assured me help was on the way, and I stared at my silent house with my eyes wide.

After about ten minutes, off in the distance I saw headlights coming from town. As it neared, I also saw that it had red and blue flashing lights on top. Relief flooded my body as I watched it near. I stayed where I was as the driver parked. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be Royce or one of his deputies, but when Royce’s lanky shape unfolded from the car, I felt such a surge of relief it was embarrassing.

“Stay here,” he said brusquely, pushing past me and heading for the house with his hand on his holster.

Another police car approached too and parked behind Royce’s. The deputy climbed from the car talking into a little shoulder radio. I heard Royce’s voice come over the radio speaking in numbers that meant nothing to me.

The deputy approached, giving me a curt nod. I didn’t recognize him, but that wasn’t surprising. “Stay here,” he repeated the order his boss had given me, and he followed his superior into the house.

I hugged myself as I watched a flashlight move through my home. Every crack of a branch made me jump and look around nervously. It felt like an hour passed before I heard what sounded like raised voices. Eventually, the deputy came walking out of the house toward me, quickly talking into his radio. The only words I caught were ASAP, which I knew wasn’t police jargon, and the word homicide.

Panic rolled through me, and all I could surmise was something had happened to Royce. Without really thinking I headed toward the house, compelled to see where he was.

“Sir, can you please stay where you are?” The deputy’s voice reached me.

I stopped. “What?”

“Can you please stay outside the residence?”

I squinted at him. “I live here.”

He moved toward me, his expression blank. “I need you to stay outside right now.”

“Why?” I felt breathless. “Is Royce okay?”

“Sir, I just need you to stay outside the structure until we have the scene contained.”

I scowled. “I’m a doctor. Is Royce okay? Do you need my help?”

He shook his head. “No, sir.”

“Royce isn’t okay, or you don’t need my help?” My voice was hard as I struggled to understand what the hell he meant.

I heard the scrape of a shoe behind me, and when I turned, Royce was striding toward me. I felt so relieved I had to control myself from trying to touch him and make sure he was real. “What’s going on?” My voice shook.

Royce’s expression was impossible to read. Nowhere was the affectionate man who’d left my home only hours ago. In fact, he looked so emotionless as he held my gaze, I almost felt like I’d hallucinated our little pizza party.

He stopped in front of me and flicked his gaze to his deputy, who’d moved back toward his vehicle. He lowered his voice. “Did you see Ned Tinkerson today?”

“Ned Tinkerson?” I wrinkled my brow. “No. I told you he blew off his appointment.”

He pressed his lips tight, shifting uneasily. “You didn’t meet with him at all?”

I laughed gruffly. “Didn’t I just tell you that?”

“Can you think of any reason why he would be in your backyard?”

“What?” I scrunched my face in complete confusion. “What’s going on?”

He watched me intently. “What did you do after I left?”

“What did I do?” I gave a confused laugh. “Why?”

“Just answer, please.”

I lifted one shoulder. “I took a shower, and I went to bed. Then I called you guys because I heard something suspicious and my kitchen door was open.”

A muscle clenched in his jaw, and he grabbed my elbow. “Do you swear on your life you didn’t see Ned today?”

“Why do you keep asking me about Ned?” His rattled expression made my heart beat quicker. “Fine. Yes, I swear. I didn’t see him at all today.” I pulled my arm free. “Why?”