Free Two Birds with One Stone (A Marsden-Lacey Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Sigrid Vansandt

tonight,”the
young doctor said after evaluating Martha who was now lying on the sofa in the
library.
    It was now past twelve-o’clock midnight. The house was
quieting down and most of the guests had departed after their statements or had
gone upstairs to bed.
    “I ’ m fine. I want to go home and rest,”Martha said rubbing
her temples.
    “Martha, you need to be completely checked out to make sure
nothing is wrong,”Helen
said putting special emphasis on the word “wrong ” and
pointing repeatedly at her own head.
    “Helen, I get the point, but nothing is broken. My head can
be checked out tomorrow. All I want is some sleep.”
    “I think it would be best if she didn ’ t
move much. Would it be possible for her to rest here tonight, Mrs. Thyme?”the doctor asked.
    “Oh, of course she ’ s perfectly welcome
to stay here tonight,”Mrs. Thyme said. “There are a few other guests staying on even after
everything that ’ s happened. Mrs. Ryes, would you be
staying tonight as well?”
    “If it wouldn ’ t be any trouble. Then in
the morning I ’ ll drive Martha into Wayford to the
hospital.”
    “Mrs. Ryes, if you need anything tonight, please come and
get me,”the
doctor offered. “My wife and I are in the last room on the second floor near
the tall grandfather clock. Goodnight.”
    “Let ’ s get you into bed,”Helen said to
Martha. “Chief Inspector, will you please help me get Martha up the stairs and
then I can do the rest?”
    “Yes, of course. Come on Mrs. Littleword, let ’ s
get you into bed.”
    Martha flushed red. Helen ’ s eyebrows
knitted together, perplexed by Martha ’ s reaction.
    DCI Johns walked across the room and bent down, putting one
arm under Martha’s legs and one arm to support her back. He lifted Martha off the
sofa and prepared to carry her up the stairs.
    He moved so fast, she didn’t realize it was happening until
he was holding her up against his chest. Taken completely off her guard, Martha
waved her hands in an effort to stop him from going anywhere.
    “Oh, please. That isn ’ t necessary. I
can walk just fine,”Martha
said trying to get her feet on the floor.
    “Well, if you ’ re sure. I ’ ll put my arm here for you to hold on to,”he said.
    She took hold of his arm feeling the strength and solidness
of his being.
    As the three of them made their way upstairs, Martha found
she kind of liked the way Johns smelled of pine and sandalwood. He was nice to
lean on, too.
    Johns insisted on helping them to their door. Once in, they
said goodnight and thanked him.

    THE GIRLS WENT ABOUT THEIR nighttime routines and Martha
managed hers without any help. They turned out all the lights except the little
lamp between their beds. Helen shoved a wingback chair under the door knob to
the bedroom. She wasn’t taking any chances.
    Once they were finally tucked in under soft duvets and their
eyes were shut, Martha said softly, “Someone pushed me, Helen. Down the stairs.”
    Helen sat bolt upright and looked at Martha who was still
lying down, eyes shut and her hands loosely gripping the top edge of the duvet.
    “Really?”
    “Yep, really.”
    “Why didn ’ t you say anything to the
Chief Inspector?”
    “I didn ’ t want any more fuss made.”
    “Yeah, that ’ s fine, but we ’ re in a big house, in the dark, and a murderer is lurking
about. Helen’s voice rose with anxiety.
    “I think it ’ s the same person who shot
Piers and whoever it is thinks I ’ ve seen something,”Martha said with
her eyes still shut.
    Helen flopped back down on her pillows. She pulled the duvet
up under her chin like a protective shield and closed her eyes. “Martha, we ’ re in it deep.”
    “You said it, sister. Piers could be dying, I ’ ve
got a psychotic killer hunting me, and don ’ t you think
Johns is attractive?”
    Helen’s eyelids flipped open. She turned her head to make
sure it was Martha who was actually talking. “Are you kidding me? You put those
three