The Stranger's Secrets by Beth Williamson

Author:Beth Williamson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2010-05-12T05:00:00+00:00

Whit watched Sarah’s eyes roll back in her head and wondered if she was pretending to swoon or if she really was fainting. It didn’t matter, of course, because her intent was to stall for time, and it worked.

“She’s fainted, Sam.” Ben’s face drained of color. “She’s still breathing, though.”

“I’m sure her husband is pleased to hear that.” Miller stepped into the room. “Now any other person I’d think she was putting on a show, but seeing as how she’s a good, upstanding Southerner, I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt.”

Whit stepped up next to Sarah and took her hand. “You’re too kind.”

Miller pointed at Whit. “That kind of shit is going to land your ass in jail.”

“Sam! You shouldn’t cuss in front of a lady.” Ben was a bevy of surprises. Whit wouldn’t have suspected the man of being a gentleman.

“She’s unconscious or faking being unconscious, so it don’t matter either way.” Strangely enough, the sheriff’s logic made sense. “Now as for you, Mr. Kendrick, I don’t take murder lightly. If you or your wife was involved in the death of that poor lady, I will find out. That I can promise you.”

The sheriff stomped toward the door. “Don’t let them leave the building, Ben. I’ll be back.”

Ben sputtered at Miller’s retreating back, then eyeballed Whit. “I don’t know what he thinks I could do to stop you if you did want to leave.”

Although the young doctor could definitely be described as odd, Whit decided he liked him. “I don’t plan on leaving Sarah here alone. And we didn’t murder Miss Ledbetter.”

Ben pushed up his glasses. “I’m glad to hear that. I had to examine the body and it wasn’t something I care to repeat anytime soon.” He visibly shuddered.

Ah, that was good news. The first opportunity for solid information from someone other than the judgmental sheriff.

“Can you tell me what you found when you examined her?” Whit pulled up a stool next to Sarah and sat down, hoping she was listening in her not really unconscious state.

The young doctor hung the stethoscope around his neck and looked up as if he was searching for information in his brain. “She’d been dead a while. My estimate was about nine hours.”

“Where was the body found?” Whit wished he had pen and paper to write all of this down. Perhaps he was lucky enough that Sarah had a good memory to fill in the places he might forget.

“Behind the hotel, near the kitchen entrance. Alexander—that’s the hotel manager—keeps the slop buckets back there, empty crates and the like. Miss Ledbetter was lying between two crates on her stomach.” Ben shook his head. “Darn shame what folks will do to one another.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” Whit knew firsthand just how low a human being would sink to take advantage of another. It was just one of the many reasons he left New York.

“Yes, it surely is.” He glanced at Sarah. “Do you want a cold compress for her forehead?”

Whit put his hand on her damp skin.

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