Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(36)

Liam chuffed. “What are you suggesting, Sheriff?”

“I mean as friends.”

Hanna shook her head. “Nope. Just ordered him his shades. That’s all.”

It was obvious she was sticking to her story. I sighed and decided I wasn’t going to get far with her, especially with her husband hovering protectively. “Thanks for your time.” I tipped my hat.

“Of course.” She smiled sweetly. “Anytime.”

Liam nodded toward me but didn’t speak.

I turned and headed for the door. I hesitated as I opened it, and I called out to her, “Did he like them?”

She frowned. “I’m sorry?”

“The shades. Did he end up liking them?”

Her face twitched. “Oh, um… yes. I believe he loved them.”

“Uh-huh.” I left the shop, closing the door behind me. I’d been at Ned’s house half the day, and I hadn’t seen hide nor hair of any new shades. Every lamp in Ned’s house, including the ancient chandelier in the dining room, had old, dusty shades. If Ned had purchased new lampshades from Hanna, I’d eat my hat.

I spent the rest of the early afternoon going around town interviewing people who’d been known associates of Ned’s. Most of them said the same thing: Ned had been distracted lately, and they had no idea why. I had a quick lunch and then continued talking to people like his barber and his boss at the insurance company. Eventually I decided I wasn’t going to get anywhere just randomly interviewing people. I needed to pinpoint acquaintances who had had deeper dealings with him.

It was hotter than hell out, so I ducked under an awning in front of Anton’s Hair Salon to get in out of the sun. I leaned against the brick wall in the shade, pulling my hat off and wiping my forehead with my handkerchief. When the door opened, Mrs. Numi walked out patting her hair. When she saw me, she smiled and started to walk past, but then she stopped and turned, approaching me with a funny look on her face.

“Howdy, Sheriff.” Her smile was tense.

“Mrs. Numi.” I nodded politely.

She looked around and lowered her voice. “I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?”

“Of course.”

“It’s… it’s about Ned Tinkerson.”

My heartbeat picked up speed. “Is that right?”

She sighed. “He’s gone now, so I see no need in keeping his secret.”

“What secret is that?”

She pressed her hand to her throat, her cheeks flushed. “It’s just so dreadful what happened to him. I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“I’ll catch whoever it is, Mrs. Numi. Don’t you worry.”

“Yes. I know you will.” She fanned herself. “I didn’t love the man, but he didn’t deserve to die like that, and if I can tell you anything that will help apprehend the murderer, then I feel it’s my duty.”

“What did you want to tell me?” I was filled with anticipation.

She leaned closer. “Do you remember we had a conversation not that long ago about someone trying to buy a property that wasn’t on the market?” She looked around as if afraid people were eavesdropping. “Maybe you don’t recall.”

“No. I do.”

“Well…” Her voice was hushed. “It was Ned. He was my buyer.”

“He was?”

“Yes. And the property he wanted to buy was that new doctor’s house.”

I widened my eyes. “No kidding?”

She nodded. “No kidding. The very house where he was killed.” She grimaced. “I just feel so confused and terrified. What if whoever killed Ned comes after me because I approached the owners about selling?”

“I don’t think you’re in any danger.” Although I couldn’t be sure she was safe because I had no idea why Ned had been killed.

“The owners live in Florida. They seemed perfectly nice on the phone. They didn’t want to sell, but they just sounded like regular folks.” She hiked her purse higher on her shoulder. “But of course we can’t always tell on the surface, can we? Sometimes people seem harmless and then—” She made a slicing motion with her finger near her throat.

I winced. “I’m sure they’re fine people.”

“Well, someone killed Ned, and I just feel in my gut it has to do with that house.”

Her theory made me alarmed for Maxwell. But it wasn’t like I could go charging into his house and tell him it was too dangerous to live there. I had literally no idea why Ned had been murdered, and it was entirely possible Mrs. Numi was off her rocker about why Ned was killed.

“Do you have any history on the house?” I asked, searching her tense face. “Maybe past notorious owners or things like that?”

“I’ve never handled the leasing of the place. The owners have some sort of agreement with an out-of-state broker who books the clinic for the doctors that come to Rainy Dale.” She sighed. “I suppose I could dig a little.”

“I don’t want you getting too involved. But if you could reach out as one Realtor to another to see if there is anything special about the house, maybe we could figure out why Ned was so interested in that property.”

“Okay.”