Free Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 02 - Apple Pots and Funeral Plots by Peggy Dulle Page B

okay?”
    “Yes. She’s a little sore, too. But I went to see a local doctor and got some medicine for the both of us.”
    “I guess it’s a good thing you keep her in that harness.”
    “Yes, she probably would have been seriously injured without it.” I cleared my throat. “All dogs should wear a harness in the car.”
    “Not police dogs. They have to be able to jump out and catch the bad guys.”
    “It seems the police are all about safety, but they let their dogs roam around in the backseat of the patrol cars, totally unprotected.”
    “Let’s change the subject. How about I come up and massage your aching muscles for you?”
    “Actually, that’s a tempting offer, but no thank you.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because then I’ll be concentrating on you and not on why I came up here. I’ve only been here a day and I said I’d probably be gone a couple of weeks. Maybe when it’s time for me to come home, I’ll let you give me a ride home.”
    “I can do that. How’s the investigation going?”
    “Bits and pieces, here and there. Justin found out that Danielle’s aunt had a second autopsy done when the body was taken back to Minnesota .”
    “Really, why?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe Danielle’s aunt wanted her own doctor to verify the cause of death.”
    “Did he find anything out of the ordinary?”
    “Justin said the report indicated she had Sodium Pentothal in her system.”
    “Truth serum?”
    “Yeah, I guess so.”
    “Didn’t the mortician in Centerville embalm the body before her memorial service? Maybe it was something in the embalming fluid.”
    “That’s possible. I don’t know much about the embalming process.”
    “Me neither, but I wouldn’t think an autopsy done after the embalming process would be very accurate as to the cause of death.”
    “I don’t know. They dig up bodies all the time on “CSI” and “Law and Order.” And they always seem to find the cause of death.”
    “That’s TV, honey.”
    “That doesn’t mean that it isn’t based on facts.”
    “How about I call my coroner and find out for you?”
    “That would be nice.”
    “Just trying to help.”
    “Just trying to get me home sooner.”
    “Absolutely!” His voice elevated and I was sure he was smiling. “Whatever works. By the way, how are you getting around town?”
    “Well, it’s not a very big town. But the tow truck guy loaned me his daughter’s car for a couple of weeks. She’s grounded and can’t use it.”
    “That’s nice of him.”
    “Bill’s a great guy. He got me out of the ditch, towed my car to town, and even took me to dinner, provided breakfast, and then we had lunch together.”
    “I don’t think I like Bill.”
    “Jealous?”
    “Not of him, but the fact that he’s with you and I’m not, yes.”
    “Well, don’t be. We’ll be together soon enough and for the rest of the summer.”
    “I can’t wait.”
    “Me either.”
    “Hurry up and solve your case, will you?”
    “I’m trying.”
    “Remember, if you need any help or especially, if you get into trouble, please call me.” His tone was low and warm.
    “But if I’m in trouble,” I teased, ignoring the concern in his voice, “I might not be able to call.”
    “Then send up a smoke signal. I’ll find you.”
    “You better.” I laid my head back on to the pillow and wrapped my arms tightly around my body, pretending that Tom held me. Silence. Even though our conversation had started out badly, I really didn’t want to end it.
    I heard Tom sigh. “I miss you, Liza.”
    “I miss you, too.”
    “Sleep tight, honey.”
    “You, too, love.” I turned off the light, changed into my pajamas, and was asleep in minutes.
    In the morning I was a little less sore, which was nice. Shelby seemed to move around easier, too. I hooked her up to her leash for an early walk down Main Street. As soon as I stepped out of the door, I went back in and grabbed my sweatshirt. The sun was shi ning but it was very cool. It was only