Picture Perfect Murder (Ryli Sinclair 1) (19 page)

I’m not sure how much time had passed, but eventually I
heard the examination door open. I looked up and saw Doc Powell and Garrett
standing in front of me. Miss Molly was nowhere in sight.

I felt another wave of crippling pain hit me. I realized
what this probably meant. If Miss Molly was okay, she’d be out here with them.

I staggered to my feet. Garrett rushed over and caught me,
wrapping his arms around me. The comfort was almost too much. I took out the
wad of Kleenex I’d stuffed in my pocket and blew my nose.

“Let me first start off by saying Miss Molly is doing okay.”

I looked sharply at Doc Powell. Had I heard right? Miss
Molly was fine?

“How?” I croaked, my throat dry and painful from all the
crying.

“Once Garrett showed me the leaf, and I registered Miss
Molly’s vitals and symptoms, I realized she’d been poisoned with hemlock. A
very nasty plant.”

Questions bounced through my head. “How? How could this have
happened?”

Doc Powell shrugged. “Hemlock is actually quite common
believe it or not. Usually cats won’t eat it. That’s probably why she tried to
spit it out as soon as she ingested it.”

“So her spitting it out meant she only ingested a little. My
gosh,” I cried, “how bad would it have been had she eaten the whole leaf?”

Doc Powell looked gravely at me. “It probably would have
killed her, Ryli.”

My knees buckled, and I would’ve gone down if not for
Garrett holding me up. “As it is, I’ve given her medications to control the
mini seizures, ease her breathing, and reduce the gastrointestinal irritation
she was having. I’ve also given her an IV, so be prepared when you see her. It
looks worse than it really is.”

I nodded my head, happy to be seeing her. “Can I go back
then?”

Doc patted my arm. “Yes, but just know I need to keep her
here overnight for more observation.”

I nodded again and hurried toward the back door that led to
the examination room. I heard Garrett call my name, but I didn’t think to stop.
I just wanted to get to Miss Molly.

I wished I’d have listened to him. I wasn’t prepared for the
sight I saw. Sprawled out on a table, heavily sedated, a cast-like bandage
around her back leg with an IV tube going to a fluid bag, Miss Molly looked
downright pitiful.

Sobbing, I rushed to her side, careful not to touch the
bandage. I laid my head on her head. “Oh, little one…I love you so much. You
scared me to death! You silly, brave kitty.”

Miss Molly tried to lift her head, but the effort was too
much. She put her head back on the cool table and watched me through
half-opened eyes. “You’re such a brave girl,” I cooed, stroking her long hair.
Her pink tongue darted out as if trying to lick me.

I laughed at her silliness and kissed her forehead.

“Like I said, I need to keep her until tomorrow, maybe
Saturday,” Doc said.

I nodded my head and felt the relief rush through my body.
She was going to be okay.

“You did good calling me and getting her here. Had it been
any later, I’m not sure if I could have saved her,” Doc said as he walked
toward the table where Miss Molly laid sprawled out. I saw Garrett watching him
closely, and I suddenly remembered what I’d said in the car about watching Doc
at the funeral.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Nonsense,” Doc said, misunderstanding me. “You did good
tonight, Ryli.”

Shaking my head, praying I wouldn’t cry, I looked over at
Garrett. Understanding my dilemma, he walked over to me and put his arm around
me. “Look, Doc, there’re some questions I’m hoping you can answer for me,”
Garrett said.

“I can try.”

“I know I called the other day to ask about ketamine, but in
light of this new development I need to ask you specifics.”

Doc’s forehead wrinkled. “What do you mean?”

“I’d like to ask you where you were the night Dr. Garver was
murdered.”

Doc’s face drained of color and his hands started to shake.
“Just what are you implying here, Chief?”

“Nothing, nothing,” I assured him…but I could tell he didn’t
believe me.

“It’s just standard questioning. I’ve had to ask nearly
everyone in town,” Garrett said. “Believe me, I’ve come to learn that only tiny
children are not suspects when it comes to who might want those two women
killed.”

Sighing, Doc Powell pulled over a medical stool and sat
down. “I guess I figured eventually it’d get around to this. I can’t say I’m
surprised.” He looked down at his wedding ring, twisting it slowly back and
forth.

When he finally looked up, his eyes were filled with tears.
“It’s no secret there’s been no love lost between Dr. Garver and myself,” he
said, “but please don’t make me tell you where I was that night.”

I felt as if I’d been slapped. Was he admitting to killing
Dr. Garver? Is that why he didn’t want us to ask? I suddenly didn’t want to
know. I didn’t want to find out the answers to this murder. I just wanted to go
back to being blissfully ignorant, taking pictures and writing silly articles
for the paper, petting and feeding Miss Molly every night…not worrying about
dead bodies and body parts showing up at my house. I just wanted it all to end.

Garrett spread his legs apart and put his hands on his gun
belt. “Sir, I’m going to ask you one more time where you were that night.”

Oh,
shit…things were getting serious
.

“Oh, now simmer down there, Chief,” Doc said sternly. “I’m
not saying I killed her. I just don’t want to tell you where I was is all.”

Garrett stared him down.

Sighing, Doc finally said, “Fine. But can we do it in
private?”

My head whipped in his direction. Now what was he saying,
that he couldn’t say it in front of me? Why? Was he with a woman? And if he
was, why didn’t he want me to know?

“It’s okay if you were with someone,” I assured the doctor.
“I mean, I won’t say anything. It’s been years since your wife’s death. Heck,
I’ve even been trying to set you up with my mom for as long as I can remember.”

Doc’s face turned red and he looked guilty as hell. It hit
me like a punch to the gut. “Oh, my gosh! You’re seeing my mom?” I almost
jumped up and down with excitement.

Doc shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “Now, I
wouldn’t say we’re seeing each other…it’s more like…well, what I mean to say
is…” he trailed off.

“This is
awesome!
” I said.

“It is?” Doc said.

“It is?” Garrett echoed.

I grinned and clapped my hands, “It is!”

Overcome with joy, I reached up and gave Doc a hug. This man
had saved Miss Molly’s life, and now he was dating my mother. This man was the
bomb as far as I was concerned.

“Well, let’s just keep it between us. Not tell your mom
until I have a chance to speak with her, okay?” he asked.

“Sure. I mean, how can I say no to the man who saved Miss
Molly’s life tonight, right Garrett?”

Garrett looked at me, then at Doc, then back at me. Throwing
up his hands he muttered, “Whatever.”

I spent a few more minutes saying goodnight to Miss Molly,
promising I’d be back the next day.

The ride home was silent. I was so physically and mentally
exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open much less make conversation. My
heart and arms felt empty without Miss Molly.

“Where do you want to stay tonight, Ryli?” Garrett asked.

I stared at him. Where did I want to sleep tonight? With
him…only I didn’t have the heart or the strength to make that happen right now.

As if reading my mind he said, “If you stay with me, we
sleep. That’s it.”

“Okay,” I whispered. “I’d like to stay with you.”

Without saying anything more, he steered the suburban toward
his house. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask to stop at my house for a
toothbrush, but I didn’t want to press my luck.

It didn’t take long to reach Garrett’s house. Unlocking the
door he ushered me inside, closing and locking it behind him. I was suddenly
very nervous.

“Do you want something to drink? I don’t have any of those
frou frou teas you like, but I think I can manage something,” he said.

I smiled at his description. Only he would think chamomile or
lavender was frou frou.

“A shot of whiskey would put you right out,” he continued.

I laughed at that. A shot of whiskey would loosen me up a
little too much, and we’d already established we weren’t going there. “I’m
good, just really tired. The minute my head hits the pillow, I’ll be out.”

Taking my hand he led me through the living room and up the
stairs to his loft. With each step my nerves jumped. By the time we reached his
bedroom door, I was ready to jump out of my skin. For a girl who usually prides
herself on being in control, I was sucking it up tonight.

Garrett turned on his bedside lamp and began turning down
the bed.

Great
,
the man even makes his bed.

I don’t think I’ve made my bed once since I moved out of my
mom’s house. I’m just a throw-the-covers-up-and-call-it-good kind of a gal.

“Bathroom’s through there,” he said gesturing to a
connecting doorway.

I nearly screamed when I saw my reflection. Some women look
cute when they cry, others don’t. I fall squarely into the don’t category. I
had splotched skin, my eyes were red and swollen, and I must have raked my hair
with my hands a thousand times because it was getting downright greasy.

No wonder he didn’t want to fool around.

Rinsing my mouth out with water, I turned off the light and
returned to the bedroom. Garrett had already finished getting undressed and was
in bed. The sheet was pulled up to his waist, leaving his upper body available
for me to devour.

My own personal eye candy.

I scrambled under the sheet as he turned and shut off his
lamp. I wasn’t sure if I should lie on my back or my side. On my back I might
snore…side it is.

I had just turned on my side away from Garrett when I felt
his hands on my waist pulling me toward him. When my butt hit his stomach, he
curled his body around me.

“Sleep tight,” he whispered as he drifted off.

Yeah, right. Every nerve ending was tingling, and I was oh
so aware of where my butt was resting. I was afraid to breath for fear of
touching him even more.

I tried counting backward…I tried reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance…I tried thinking about the ocean…anything to make my body relax and
calm down.

I guess something must have worked, because the last thing I
remember thinking was that I hoped he couldn’t feel the prickly stubble of my
legs through the yoga pants.

"Ryli, time to get up."

I turned on my side and pulled up the covers. "Just one
more minute, Mom."

The bed shook with laughter. "I ain't your mom,
Sin."

My eyes popped open as I felt a hand caressing my ass. With
a yelp I flipped over onto my back.

Garrett was sitting on the edge of the bed, sipping coffee.
He looked sexy as hell. He'd obviously already showered and was dressed in his
uniform.

"I have an interview set up in about an hour. I let you
sleep as long as I could."

I glanced at his clock and was surprised to see it was
already after nine o'clock.

Bolting up in bed, I tried scrambling out of the covers.
Garrett put out his hand, stopping me. "I'm not in any hurry. Like I said,
I still have an hour before my person comes in."

You can't imagine the torture it was not to be able to ask
him who it was. I was dying to know how close he was to solving this case.

"I just got off the phone with Doc Powell, and Miss
Molly is doing great."

Guilt slammed through my body. Here I was, thinking about
solving the case first and completely forgot about Miss Molly. I closed my eyes
and tried not to cry.

"Hey," he said, "that was meant as good
news."

"I know," I whispered, feeling my throat closing.
"I just forgot for a minute."

He leaned in and kissed my cheek, then patted me on my leg.
"Get up, get around, and I'll take you home. You can call Doc yourself
from there."

I watched as he stood up and walked out the door...leaving
me with the yummy imagine of his butt.

I pushed the covers aside and walked over to his dresser
mirror. Trying not to cringe at the massive bed head I was sporting, I bent
upside down and fluffed my hair.

Flinging my body and hair back upright, I almost passed out
at the sudden rush to my head. On the plus side, my hair was now a little
poofier.

I walked down the curved, wooden staircase and into the
spacious living room. The glint of the wood from the natural lighting was
breathtaking this early in the morning.

Garrett handed me a travel mug full of coffee, and we headed
out the door to my house.

"I'll try and call or text once I finish up my
interviews today."

Wait, now it's interviews, as in more than one?

Realizing I'd get nowhere quizzing him, I waited impatiently
for Garrett to drop me off at my house so I could change my clothes and call
Paige, Mindy, and Aunt Shirley. Garrett could spend all day interviewing
suspects...I already had my suspect in mind, and it was about time for a
showdown in Miss Molly’s honor!