Free Death of a Wolfman (A Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery Book 1) by Susan Boles

it.”
    “Well, be quick about it. I want to know who did this and why.”
    “I didn’t find any footprints out back, and this time of year all the dead leaves on the ground pretty well cover any tracks in the woods. I’ll come back out tomorrow in daylight to look some more when I can see better. I bagged the squirrel to take a better look later, but I don’t think I’ll find anything there. It was killed with a through-and-through shot so there’s no bullet for any kind of comparison if I find somebody suspicious.”
    Dixie stood up, hands on her hips as she squared off with the sheriff. “Well, that’s just dandy. Are you saying this can’t be solved? Poor Lily Gayle has to be afraid in her own home because you can’t figure out who did this?”
    Ben frowned. “Don’t get all riled up. Of course I’ll find out who did this and why. I’m just saying it won’t be tomorrow when I solve it.” He looked at me. “Maybe you should stay the rest of the night at my place.”
    “I’ll do no such thing!”
    That’s right,” interjected Dixie. “You go on upstairs and get your nightgown and whatever you need for tonight and come on home with me and Jack.”
    I looked from one to the other. “Y’all don’t understand. I’m not being chased out of my own house by that nasty trick. I’m spending what’s left of the night right here.”
    Looking from one dumbfounded face to the other, I laughed. “If y’all could see the looks on y’all’s faces!”
    “Now look here—” began Ben.
    Dixie cut in. “You can’t stay here alone tonight. Be reasonable and come home with me. You won’t sleep a wink in this house tonight.”
    I folded my arms across my chest. “I’m staying here tonight and that’s my final word on it. Y’all just go on home yourselves.” When neither moved, I frowned. “Scat! Get on back to your own houses. I’m a big girl and I’m staying here.”
    Ben looked at Dixie. “When she gets that look on her face and crosses her arms like that, you know we’re not going to be able to get her out of here short of tying her up and carrying her.”
    Dixie sighed. “You’re right. But I don’t like it one damn bit.” Looking around, she asked, “What’d you do with Jack? I sent him out to help you look around.”
    “He’s out on the porch waiting for you. Out of the line of argument.”
    Dixie came over to me and hugged me hard. “Ben’s right. There’s no way to get you out of here short of hog-tying you. You be sure every window is locked and every door has the dead bolt on as soon as we leave. You hear me?”
    “Yes, I hear you. I’ll be sure to lock up everything. I’m not an idiot.”
    “I’ll have Todd drive by every half hour or so. He’s on patrol tonight. He can keep an eye on the house.”
    I’d had enough. “Fine! Now y’all get on back to your own beds. I’ll see both of you tomorrow.”
    I watched them leave, giving me concerned looks, but I refused to let them see just how nervous I felt at the prospect of being alone there tonight. But darn it, if I didn’t stay there tonight, I’d just be putting off the inevitable. I’d be nervous here alone for a while to come after this incident.
    Going through the entire house, I checked window locks and door dead bolts. Then I did something I hadn’t done since right after my husband died. Removing his pistol from its hiding place, I lay it on the arm of my cozy chair in the bay window. There would be no sleep for me tonight. Dixie had been right about that much. I’d just sit here with all the lights out and the gun by my side until the sun came up.
    Watching the night wind move the trees and bushes in my yard, I caught glimpses of Todd driving past the house every half hour, just like Ben had promised. Elliot lay fast asleep on the floor, his leash still in his mouth. Poor thing must have worn himself out trying to chew through that piece of leather.
    Shortly after the old grandfather clock in the foyer had