Secrets of Bella Terra by Dodd Christina

Author:Dodd, Christina [Dodd, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2011-08-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Madelyn sped out of the enclosure.

Rafe walked over to Brooke, knelt in front of her. He moved the bucket aside, dried her hand on his T-shirt. “Sweetheart.”

Slowly she lifted her head, opened her eyes, stared at him as if she’d never seen him before.

He pulled her off the chair and into his arms, then sat against the wall, holding her tight. Rocking her in his arms, he murmured words of comfort, and when Madelyn came back with the robe, he helped Brooke stand and huddle into it.

He knew what she was doing: acting on instinct, hiding herself as if she were dirty.

He opened the water bottles for them—the plastic twist tops were tight and Madelyn was now trembling so hard he was afraid she’d fall down. As the sirens started in the distance, he coaxed them both to drink.

In a slow, calm voice he said, “You two are going to have to talk to Sheriff DuPey about what happened. Can you do that?”

Both women stared at him as if he were speaking a foreign language, and nodded as if they were numb.

He hoped the numbness would last through their questioning.

Two police cars pulled up in front of the gate and blocked the road, sirens blaring, lights flashing. Two officers got out of one car and cordoned off the area with yellow crime scene tape. DuPey came through the gate looking grim and competent. Another guy dressed in jeans, a button-down shirt, spotless running shoes, and carrying two heavy leather bags, followed.

As Rafe went to meet them, Noah pulled up in one of the resort’s golf carts and arrived at a run.

DuPey introduced the guy in the button-down shirt as the coroner, then asked, “What happened?”

Rafe told them what he knew.

Noah informed them that the trash collectors were due soon.

The coroner, grim and efficient, shed his leather bags and pulled on his latex gloves. He placed the step stool and climbed into the Dumpster.

DuPey went to the two women, speaking softly, asking his questions.

Rafe watched, but he knew the women’s breakdowns were inevitable. The question was how soon.

“Rafe!” Noah snapped.

Rafe glanced at his brother. “What?”

Noah’s green eyes were hot with irritation. “I’m trying to get this straight in my mind. The gardener who disappeared right after the attack on Nonna is in the Dumpster. He’s dead and has been dead for a while.”

“I’d guess someone killed him after he spoke to Brooke,” Rafe said, “when his behavior made her realize something was wrong at Nonna’s.”

Brooke was, as expected, replying to DuPey’s questions straightforwardly, putting her distress aside for the necessary investigation.

Madelyn took her cue from Brooke, talking, gesturing, responding in a manner meant to move the investigation along.

“Is he the one who attacked Nonna?” Noah asked.

“It’s possible, but in all probability this is a murder. So someone else is involved. He didn’t jump in that Dumpster by himself.”

“Right.” Noah nodded. “Someone hid the body, then brought it here when the trash collectors were due, figuring it would get dumped and he’d be off the hook.

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