Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(61)

“I understand,” she said quietly.

I left the room with a heavy heart. Maxwell came out of the little room off to the side, and we met in the hallway. His face was pale, and he looked shaken. “I know Hanna’s in a lot of trouble, but honestly, I’d be dead if not for her.”

I nodded. “That might help her case some. But Ned’s still dead.”

“Yes.” He hugged himself. “It was strange hearing all the reasons behind everything that happened. But knowing why they did certain things makes it a little easier.”

“I’m glad.” I resisted the urge to take him in my arms. He looked lost, and it made my stomach hurt.

He yawned and then looked embarrassed. “Sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize for being tired.”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this wiped.” Looking up at the flickering fluorescent lights, he sighed. “I assume the police will be at my house for a while longer today?”

“Yes. You should go back to my place. I’ll be tied up here for a while longer, and you look like you could use some rest.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely. I’ll have Sam run you to my house.”

He didn’t argue like he usually did anytime I offered him a ride. “Thank you.” He had lines under his eyes, and he looked exhausted.

“There’s no rush to go back to that house. I enjoy your company.”

Some tension seemed to leave his features. “Thanks. I’ll admit to feeling conflicted about my place at the moment.”

“I would be too.”

Once he’d left the station, I spent the remainder of the night interviewing Rocky and Liam. Liam was belligerent and impossible to get through to, but Rocky seemed more cooperative. He admitted he’d panicked and tried to hit Maxwell with the sledgehammer. He also seemed relieved, like Hanna, that it was finally over. By the time they were both booked and in their cells, I was beat. I headed home just as the sun rose in the east, painting the sky mauve and violet.

When I walked into my quiet house, I noticed the gate wasn’t across the kitchen doorway and that Grumpy wasn’t in his crate. Heading down the hallway, I peeked in to Maxwell’s room. The space was dark, but there was just enough morning light poking through the blinds that I could see Maxwell tangled in the sheets, lying on his back. Grumpy was curled up against his side, and my heart clenched at the sight of the two of them. They both looked vulnerable as they slept, obviously seeking comfort from one another’s company.

I stripped and crawled into my bed, collapsing into the soft sheets. I closed my eyes, my mind racing over the events of last night. All the pieces of the puzzle fell into place now that I knew what the point of everything was. Ned lying about inheriting money and people creeping around Maxwell’s house in the dead of night suddenly made sense. It was amazing what greed could do to otherwise good, law-abiding people.

A floorboard creaked, and I opened one eye. In the doorway stood Maxwell, holding Grumpy. The puppy’s tail wiggled wildly, and Maxwell moved closer and set the dog on the bed. Grumpy lunged for me and licked my face like a maniac as I twisted and tried to escape his flicking tongue. Once I had the dog controlled, I sat up on one elbow.

“I thought you were asleep,” I said.

“I was.” Maxwell’s usually perfect hair was tousled, and he still looked sleepy. “The dog woke me to go potty.” His voice was husky.

“Really?” I perked up.

He nodded. “Yes. I think he’s catching on.”

“Sorry he disturbed you.”

He chuffed. “I prefer that to him peeing on me.”

I grinned. “Well, yeah.”

Maxwell surprised me when he moved closer to perch on the edge of my bed. His gaze roamed my face, and he seemed tense. “I feel muddled and like I’m in shock.”

“I can understand that.” I watched as Grumpy waddled to the end of the bed and circled a few times before plopping down with a groan.

Maxwell swallowed loudly. “I keep going over everything that happened, and it feels unreal. As if it happened to someone else.”

“It’s hard to wrap your head around, I’m sure.”

“My life back in LA was very ordered, and I knew what each day would bring. Usually. I guess that’s partly why the events of last night seem inconceivable.”

“Even by cop standards, last night was off-the-charts nuts. Trust me.” I gave a gruff laugh. “Of all the people in town to be mixed up in something like this, Hanna Montgomery would be the last one I’d have expected.”

“And then when that man got in your car and drove away like a crazy person with me along for the ride?” He shivered. “I literally couldn’t believe it was happening.”

I winced. “God. I felt horrible. I had you go to my car so that you’d be safer. Next thing I knew my car was gone and you were nowhere in sight.”

He sniffed. “I knew something was up with that man. He was wearing sweatpants for God’s sake. As relaxed as things might be around here, I’ve yet to see a cop in sweatpants when on duty.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“Me too. If tonight has taught me anything, it’s that you truly can’t control things.”