Free The Iced Princess by Christine Husom Page B

atMolly’s body. He stood, and tears finally formed in his eyes. My first impression of the man was that I was not impressed. There was something about him I didn’t like. Maybe it was the way he put everything else ahead of Molly, according to what she’d said, anyway. Maybe it was that he reminded me of the power-crazed people I’d met in Washington.
    And something about the young woman with him, his assistant, struck me as off. She looked like a Hollywood star with her flowing red hair and professional model body. Why on earth had she come into the shop with her boss? If I was in her place, I would definitely have waited outside out of respect for poor dead Molly. She had enough people studying her, including Pinky and Erin and me. But we had a stake in the tragedy and a good reason to be there. The officials wanted to question Pinky and me. Erin was there for moral support.
    Okay, I’d give the assistant the benefit of the doubt. Will Dalton may have made her come into the shop with him. She looked like the proverbial deer in the headlights, unsure of what to do or which way to go. She hung back and then seemed to notice she was surrounded by snow globes. She picked one up, gave it a shake, then set it down and watched it snow. A distraction for her, and for me also as I watched her. My imagination was probably playing tricks on me, but it seemed I’d seen her somewhere before.
    Dr. Long’s voice plucked me out of my daydreaming. “—and we’ll notify you as soon as we’re ready to release your wife’s body.”
    â€œRelease her?” Will said.
    â€œFor burial or cremation, whatever you choose. It’ll most likely be later tomorrow, after the medical examiner has completed the autopsy.”
    Will looked a little dazed. “Autopsy?”
    Dr. Long handed Will a card. “And after the exam and the tests, we should be able to positively pinpoint the cause of death.”
    Clint cleared his throat and took out his notepad and pen. “In the meantime, Mr. Dalton, can you tell me, did your wife mention having any kind of trouble with anyone, or had she received any threats?”
    He looked down then shook his head. “No.”
    â€œIf you find out anything different, let us know right away.”
    Will nodded.
    Mark stepped in closer to Will. “Molly’s mother. Do you want us to tell her?”
    â€œI’ll do it,” he said, then he left without saying another word. His assistant followed him out the door. Out of curiosity, I scooted over to Pinky’s door and opened it a crack to watch where they went, but they were already out of sight. And what business of mine was it, anyway? Both sides of the street were lined with idling parked cars. With the number of official vehicles there, the town was anxiously waiting for the story of what had happened in Curio Finds. And the medical examiner’s van made it clear to all passersby that someone had died.

5
    T he team finished processing the scene, and Dr. Long left with Molly’s body. Clint and Mark each took down an end of the crime scene tape that spanned the archway between Curio Finds and Brew Ha-Ha and rolled it up. They joined Pinky, Erin, and me, who were sitting silently at the coffee shop serving counter. Each of us was lost in our own thoughts.
    Mark sat down next to me on the third seat from the end. I had been thinking about Molly’s coat and cell phone and keys and wallet. “You forgot to send Molly’s things with her husband. And what about her car?”
    Clint moved in behind Mark. “We didn’t forget.”
    All part of the investigation, I supposed.
    â€œPinky, let’s go back to one of your tables where we can talk,” Clint said.
    â€œJust Pinky?” I said.
    â€œYup, just Pinky. But you’re next, so don’t you run away, Camryn.”
    I couldn’t run if I tried. “I will be right here.”
    Pinky and Clint