Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(50)

I started walking again, lengthening my stride so that I could reach the outskirts of the town quicker. Other than almost giving me a stroke, the one thing that the phone call had done was solidify that my house was at the center of something strange.

The honk of a horn made me jump, and I pressed my shaking hand to my chest. When I turned, I found Royce following along behind me slowly.

“Get in,” he called cheerfully through his open window.

I wasn’t about to argue, and I did as he said, jerking open the passenger-side door and practically jumping in.

He looked surprised that I’d been so obedient. “Well, that was easy.”

I gave a jagged laugh and wiped my sweaty forehead with a crumpled tissue I had in my pocket. “I’m actually glad to see you.”

“Who are you, and what have you done with Maxwell?”

“Very funny.” I dabbed at my damp cheeks. “I just had a bizarre phone call.”

He frowned. “Bizarre how?”

“They tried disguising their voice.”

“Huh.”

“I think it was a woman, or perhaps a man with a very high voice.” I swallowed. “They warned me about staying at my house after dark.”

“Seriously?”

“I wish I was kidding.”

“They flat-out warned you?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t suppose you captured the number?”

“Blocked.”

He sighed. “I figured.”

I shifted toward him. “We already know the house is a place of interest, but it seems really dumb for that person to call and pinpoint nighttime as the time to avoid the house. They basically told me when they’ll be there.”

“More and more this feels like the amateur hour.”

“That’s good, right? They should be easier to catch.” I tucked my tissue back into my pocket. “Maybe we should have a stakeout at the house tonight.”

He snorted. “We?”

“It’s my house.” I grimaced. “Sort of.”

“You’re a civilian. It’s too dangerous.”

I scowled. “I’d be perfectly safe in your car.”

He twisted his lips and gave me a quick glance. “I don’t know.”

“I’d stay put. I’m no hero. But I feel pretty personally invested in this. Whoever this is has tried to frame me for Ned’s murder and smash my head in with a sledgehammer. It’s hard not to want to be involved in some capacity.”

“It’s too dangerous for you to be truly involved.”

“I mean from afar. If we see someone inside the house, you can investigate and I can call it in.”

“You’re too nosy. I don’t see you staying in the car willingly.”

“Oh, I definitely would. These people are crazy. I have zero interest in engaging with them. For goodness’ sake, they’re on a level of loony I want nothing to do with up close and personal. But I’d love to be there if you caught them in the act of rummaging through my house. I’d love to see them in cuffs from a distance.”

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as if mulling my comments over.

“Come on. Let’s watch the house tonight. You can be the big bad sheriff, and I’ll be the scaredy-cat who sits in the car and calls the station.”

“You know, I can do this without you.”

I sighed. “Of course you can. But you shouldn’t do it alone.”

“I can have one of my deputies with me.”

“You’re shorthanded as it is. Why waste man hours like that? Especially since I’m willing to keep you company?” I held up my right hand. “I promise not to go inside the house.”

He pulled into his driveway and shut off the engine. He rubbed his jaw, giving me a side glance. “Promise your ass wouldn’t leave that seat?”

“Scout’s honor.”

He gnawed his lower lip, and then he said, “Okay. But if anything goes down and you try and go in that house with me, I’ll be pissed. You’ve never seen me mad. It’s not pretty.”

“I’m no hero. You don’t have to worry about me trying to do anything other than hide in your car.”

“Then let’s eat dinner and head over there after sundown.”

I beamed. “I’ll make us a thermos of hot cocoa.”

He squinted at me as he opened his door. “This isn’t a campout. This is serious business, Maxwell.”

I nodded. “I know that. Why do you think I didn’t suggest s’mores?”





Chapter Fourteen


Royce

I knew bringing Maxwell along was probably a stupid idea, but he had a point about the man hours. We’d had huge budget cuts at our station the last year, and wasting my deputies’ hours sitting outside Maxwell’s house when nothing was for sure going to happen did seem silly. He’d promised he would stay in the car, and I had no reason not to believe him.

Maxwell seemed cheerful as he made us a light dinner of baked chicken and red potatoes. I had to admit I ate healthier with Maxwell around. I’d had more takeout food and greasy meats before he came to stay with me. He wasn’t the best cook in the world, but it was food, and when I was hungry enough I’d eat just about anything.