Free No Mortal Reason by Kathy Lynn Emerson Page A

fresh coffee. “Thank you for your help with the coroner,” she said to Ben.
    “I only told him what I observed,” he said modestly.
    “Was she there?” Diana asked when Mrs. Ellington left them alone once more.
    “Only for a moment.” He took a sip of the coffee. “I wonder how she knew that I spoke up in your Uncle Howd’s defense.”
    “I can guess. It isn’t difficult to eavesdrop if one knows the proper places to conceal one’s self, and a housekeeper is in the perfect position to learn where those are. What else might she have overheard?”
    Diana listened intently to Ben’s account of the interview with the coroner and the inquest that had followed immediately after. “It didn’t take long for the jurors, biased or not, to reach a verdict. Once they decided that the manner of death was unknown, there was nothing more for them to do.”
    “But her death was caused by a blow to the head. You do know that?”
    “Yes, but not whether that blow was the result of accident, murder, manslaughter, excusable homicide, or justifiable homicide. Since it seems unlikely, after all this time, that anyone will be able to determine which it was, the matter will likely be dropped.”
    “That seems rather cavalier.”
    “Would you prefer your uncle to be arrested? Howard Grant is the only obvious suspect, because of the locket.”
    They ate in silence for a few minutes while she pondered what he’d said. When she looked at Ben again, she was surprised to find a frown on his handsome face. “Did something else happen?” she asked.
    “You know me too well,” he complained. “While we were still in the family parlor, Mr. Buckley asked me why I came to the Hotel Grant. I decided to try the truth. I said that you were acquainted with a Mrs. Torrence and that she told you about the hotel. Your Uncle Myron knew at once who I meant. He hasn’t forgiven her, Diana. He was all but foaming at the mouth when he said her name.”
    A deep sense of disappointment settled over her. “I hoped he’d be willing to let bygones be bygones.”
    “It was clear to me, from Myron Grant’s reaction, that he isn’t about to be reasonable. I don’t think he’ll look kindly on anyone who is related to her.” Ben reached across the table to enfold her hand in his. “I’d like you to consider leaving tomorrow, without telling them who you really are.”
    She freed her fingers and used both hands to rub her temples. “I admit that the thought of revealing my true identity does not seem very appealing right now. No one’s likely to kill any fatted calves on my behalf.” She’d always thought the story of the prodigal son should be taken with a grain of salt. “On the other hand, how can I live with myself if I skulk away at the first sign of trouble? We’ve only just arrived, Ben.”
    “But surely there’s no need to stay longer?”
    “Perhaps not.” If he was right about Uncle Myron’s attitude, there’d be no point in ever telling him who she was. Elmira Torrence’s daughter would not be welcome here under any circumstances. She sighed. “I’m too tired to think any more about this tonight.”
    At once he was solicitous. “You’ve had a long day, all that travel topped off by an excess of drama. What you need is a good night’s rest.”
    What she needed, Diana thought, was to be wrapped in Ben’s arms and cuddled. At the mere thought, she felt warmth climb into her cheeks. If they spent the night together, she would not be worrying over what to do. She knew from experience that he could banish all such irrelevant thoughts from her mind.
    Ben appeared to be brooding as they walked along the upstairs hallway toward their suite. Was he thinking the same thing she was? That they should have found a preacher before they left Denver.
    Once inside the parlor, he seemed about to say something, then tilted his head, listening. “Do you hear that?” he whispered.
    From directly below them came the sound of raised voices.