his eyes, frustrated that the case had him stumped. He felt like someone had dropped a puzzle on the floor and the pieces had scattered in a hundred directions. He couldn’t quite make them fit back together.
Mentally he reviewed the facts he knew to date, then pulled out a notepad from his pocket and jotted down his thoughts.
His first question—had someone in the hospital made a mistake that cost Gloria Inman her life? Or had she been murdered?
The fact that Dr. Butler, the attending physician, had encouraged Peyton to keep silent regarding the possibility of negligence suggested a mistake had been made. The threat she received also added credence to a hospital cover-up or foul play.
But who was responsible? Peyton? Dr. Butler? Another staff member?
According to Peyton, Dr. Butler had evidence proving her code had been used to remove morphine from the medicine cart. What if Dr. Butler had made the mistake in the ER, then faked the incriminating paperwork against Peyton to save his own reputation?
Mrs. Inman’s tox report was missing. And the files for the night she’d died had been destroyed in the fire. All suspicious.
The only two people with motive for killing Gloria were her husband and Sondra Evans, and both claimed they were innocent. However, both had access to drugs via their jobs as pharmaceutical reps.
Liam ran his fingers through his hair.
Peyton still hadn’t given him a complete list of everyone who’d been in the ER that night. When she woke up, he’d press her to write down the names.
Logic led them to believe that the fire had been set to cover up whatever had happened that night. That Dr. Butler wanted to save his own reputation by passing the blame on to Peyton.
Frustration tightened his chest. Although that was the most logical conclusion, he had to remain open to other possibilities.
Herbert Brantley’s financials had improved drastically after Mrs. Inman’s death. As a med tech, his salary was modest. If he’d witnessed foul play the night Gloria died, he could have been paid to keep silent—or to set the fire and destroy evidence.
Then there was Miller Conrad, the PA who had a soft spot for seniors. He’d been questioned regarding deaths at other medical facilities. He could be an angel of mercy.
Although Gloria Inman hadn’t been elderly or on her deathbed.
He rubbed a hand over his bleary eyes and leaned his head back with a sigh. Hopefully tomorrow the exhumation would take place, and the ME could analyze Mrs. Inman’s remains. Forensics might give them a solid lead.
Next, he’d question Dr. Butler and Herbert Brantley. One way or the other, he intended to make them talk.
* * *
PEYTON WOKE TO the soft sound of someone breathing. Confused, she blinked to clear her vision and realized she was in the hospital. The past twenty-four hours returned in a rush, and she jerked to a sitting position.
The man next to her bed startled and opened his eyes. Then she realized his hand had been lying over hers. She’d felt it during the night when she was in the throes of her nightmares.
Had sensed his comforting presence and had been able to drift back to sleep because she knew he was by her side.
It’s only temporary. Don’t get used to it.
As soon as they solved this case, he’d disappear from her life.
“Peyton?” Liam asked. “Another nightmare?”
“Just reality,” she said softly.
He shifted and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked rumpled and sexy and so masculine that a tingle went through her. He represented everything that was good about a man. Strength and honor. After living in fear for five years, he was just what she needed.
She pushed at the covers to get up. “I need to check on Mama.”
He held up a finger. “Wait. I’ll text Deputy Rowan.”
“I want to see her myself.” She shoved the covers away, then realized she was wearing a hospital gown and nothing else. “Where are my clothes?”
“I’ll ask the nurse.” He stood and looked down at her, the dark flecks in his eyes flaring with concern. “How do you feel?”
She shifted and pressed a hand to her chest as she breathed. “A little sore, but I’m okay.” She glanced around the room. “Check that closet. Maybe the nurse put my clothes in there.”
He gave a little nod, crossed the room and found a plastic hospital bag in the closet. He retrieved it and brought the bag to her.
“While I change, please ask the nurse to get my release papers.”