Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(31)

He didn’t speak or move for a few moments; then he said, “You don’t ask for much, do you, Sheriff?” He left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.





Chapter Nine


Maxwell

I went to a hotel because I knew my house was still crawling with cops, and I needed sleep more than anything in this world. Mrs. Wyatt, who ran the hotel, looked at me a little funny. I doubted she knew about Ned’s murder yet, but she must have found it weird I was renting a room when I had a house in town.

“Would you like a view?” Her voice was dubious.

I shook my head. “No. Just need a room. Small. Big. I don’t care. Just give me a room.”

“Of course.”

I rubbed my tired eyes and pushed my credit card toward her. “Make it for two nights, please.” I shivered as I thought of Ned’s lifeless body floating in the pool and the fact that someone had been in my bedroom.

“House being fumigated?” she asked politely.

“Something like that.” I sighed. “Do you have complimentary deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste?”

“Yes, sir.” She grabbed them from under the register and handed them to me.

“Thanks.”

She peeked over the counter at the floor. “Any luggage?”

“No.” I met her puzzled gaze.

“Well, that’s unusual.” She gave a funny laugh.

I took my credit card from her and put it in my wallet. “I need sleep.”

“Can’t get any at your own place?” She frowned.

I shifted uneasily. “Do you grill all your guests like this?”

She grimaced. “Well, no, but…”

I took the card key from her hand to stop her from talking. “What’s the room number?”

“230.”

“Thanks.” I left her there staring after me as if I was trying to pull something over on her. I made my way to the elevator and then to my room. Thankfully the card worked, and I went into the little room. It was dark because the drapes were closed, and the air was on full blast. I pulled off my clothes as I headed into the bathroom. I showered and then brushed my teeth. Then I headed to the bed and crawled into the soft sheets with a groan.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on the whoosh of the air conditioner until I fell asleep. When I finally woke up, I had no idea what time it was or how long I’d slept. I stared into space trying not to think about everything that had happened last night, but not having much success.

My feelings toward Royce were a confusing mess. It was hard to reconcile the man who’d fucked me with the stern, aloof cop who’d dragged me to the station. When he’d left my house after our dinner, I’d felt excited about him. It had been a while since a man made me feel anticipation, but he’d affected me that way. And then Ned’s body had been found, and everything had gone to shit.

He’d asked me to trust him. It seemed like an insurmountable request at the moment. How could I put my faith in a man who might think I was capable of cold-blooded murder?

He didn’t arrest me.

A part of me clung to that, hoping it meant he really did believe I couldn’t do anything so heinous as murdering Ned. But maybe I was counting on his feelings for me too much. Maybe I was overthinking our burgeoning connection like I overthought everything. Maybe he’d just wanted sex and now he was doing his job, and if that meant slapping a murder charge on me, then so be it.

I forced myself to crawl out of bed to check the time. 5:00 p.m. I’d slept twelve hours. I almost dropped my phone when I realized that. I hadn’t slept more than six hours straight in years. I’d just been accused of murder and I’d snoozed like a baby. What was wrong with me?

When I’d checked the time, I’d also noticed two missed calls from the Rainy Dale Police Department. My stomach tensed as I stared at the little red number two over the green phone icon. Whoever had called, they hadn’t left a message. Since I hadn’t picked up, did they now think I was on the run? Was there a statewide APB out for the murderous ex-surgeon who’d killed poor Ned Tinkerson?

I hadn’t eaten since I’d had pizza with Royce, and I felt a little sick. But I decided I needed to call the police back to see what they wanted before I tried eating anything. With my fingers trembling, I dialed the number and waited. When a perky female voice answered, I said who I was and that someone had called me. She transferred me a few times, and then I got Royce’s voicemail. Even just the sound of his voice on a recording made my pulse spike.

I cleared my throat and left him a message. “Hey, Sheriff Callum, this is Maxwell Thornton. Apparently you called me, and this is me returning your call.” I hung up and stared at my phone, feeling anxious.

Not even a minute later my phone lit up with the same number from earlier displayed. I let it ring a few times, and then I answered. “Hello?”

“Mr. Thornton?” Royce sounded stiff.

“Yes.”

“This is Sheriff Callum.”

I almost laughed because we were being so formal with each other.

Yes, I remember you. Didn’t you have your dick in my ass last night?

What a difference a day made.

“I know.” I kept my voice even.

“Where are you?” His tone was sharp.