Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(65)

“Yes. He’d even lost fifty pounds recently. He was doing so well.” Her voice deteriorated into sobs.

I met Royce’s stern gaze, and I shook my head. “Such a shame.”

Glancing back toward the body, the glint of something caught my eye. In the center of his chest, there appeared to be a red-and-blue ball that looked like a Cloisonné pin of some sort. I hadn’t noticed it at first because his shirt was such a busy pattern. I leaned closer and my eyes widened. I glanced toward Royce, and he immediately frowned and moved to me.

“What is it?” His voice was hushed.

“I just assumed it was a heart attack because… well… for obvious reasons.” I slowly reached out and touched the Cloisonné ball. It didn’t move. I’d hoped it was a necklace or a pin, but when it didn’t budge, I had a sinking feeling. Turning to Royce, I whispered, “I think… I think he’s been stabbed.”

“What?” Royce’s voice was sharp.

I pointed. “If I’m not mistaken, that’s a vintage hat pin in his chest.”

“What?” shrieked Penelope, her eyes wide and her mouth gaping. “What are you saying?”

I hadn’t intended for her to overhear me, but once she had, there wasn’t any point in keeping the pin a secret. “It looks like he’s been stabbed through the heart with a hat pin.”

Penelope gasped and crumpled to the ground at my feet, and I crouched down to make sure she was all right. I looked up and met Royce’s stricken gaze.

“If I were you, Royce, I wouldn’t let anyone leave the party just yet.” My voice was gruff, and the hairs on the back of my neck stiffened.

Glancing around at everyone, they all looked so innocent and shocked. I’d been in Rainy Dale long enough now that I recognized almost every face in the room. A chill went through me as I came to a horrible realization: one of these people was a cold-blooded murderer.



THE END