motive herself for setting the fire. Unless she’d set it on principle to prove the hospital was at fault for Inman’s wife’s death. But doing so would have put others at risk, and she would have known that.
She didn’t fit the profile of that type of perpetrator.
She fidgeted, then knotted her hands in her lap and pressed her lips into a thin line.
Liam claimed the chair opposite her, the tension in the room palpable.
“Now, why did you drag me from my apartment and my patients?” Peyton asked, her tone slightly irritated.
Liam raised a brow, surprised by her direct approach. “I told you that we arrested Barry Inman last night.”
She gave a little nod. “I saw it on the news. You think he set that deadly fire because his wife’s lawsuit was thrown out?”
At least she wasn’t playing dumb. Then again, maybe she wasn’t surprised to see him at her door.
Because she was hiding something and had expected at some point for the buck to land back at her feet?
Jacob took the seat beside Liam. “Do you remember talking to my father, Sheriff Maverick, five years ago regarding the death of Inman’s wife?”
Her throat muscles worked as she swallowed. “Of course.” She leaned forward, her expression intense. “I told him everything I knew about the woman’s unfortunate death. Which was nothing.”
“Tell us again,” Liam said. “Just to refresh our memories.”
She inhaled a deep breath. “I was in the ER when Gloria Inman was brought in. She was unconscious, struggling to breathe and in cardiac distress. The doctor ordered medication, performed CPR, then brought in the crash cart.” She squeezed her eyes closed for a moment as if reliving a troubling memory. “I’m sorry to say she...didn’t make it. We tried everything, but sometimes it’s just impossible.”
“I have the statement you gave Inman’s attorney,” Liam said. “According to Inman, he overheard you tell another nurse that something went wrong. Is that true?”
She crossed her legs beneath the table. “Mr. Inman was understandably upset, distraught and in shock,” she said, then pressed a hand over her heart. “Often times families of patients lash out when a loved one is ill or in pain, especially if they don’t survive. They think the doctors and nurses are gods and can save everyone.” Her voice warbled. “But we’re not. We’re only human, and sometimes no matter what you do, you lose a patient.”
Liam’s throat felt thick. He sure as hell understood that. He and his brothers had tried to save their father and failed.
Jacob cleared his throat. “Ms. Weiss, Barry Inman threatened revenge against the hospital for the alleged negligence. Did he ever personally threaten you?”
His question seemed to suck the air from Peyton’s lungs. She rubbed her fingers together in a nervous gesture, then dropped them in her lap. “No. He didn’t personally threaten me.”
Liam arched a brow. The question upset her because she was hiding something. “But you heard him threaten others at the hospital?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Liam stared her directly in the eye. “Then what did you mean?”
“Just what I said. That he didn’t threaten me.” She sat back and tapped her foot. “Look, I’ve cooperated and told you everything I know. I’m truly sorry for Mrs. Inman’s death, but I don’t have any more information regarding it than I did five years ago.”
Her answer sounded practiced. Defensive. Which raised more questions in Liam’s mind. “Ms. Weiss, do you think Barry Inman started the fire at the Whistler Hospital?”
“I really don’t know.” She pushed away from the table. “Now if that’s all, I need to get back to my patients and my mother.”
Liam gritted his teeth. “Sit down, Ms. Weiss,” he said firmly. “You aren’t going anywhere until you tell us everything you remember about the night of the fire.”
* * *
ALARM BELLS RANG in Peyton’s mind. Did the agent believe she’d seen the person who’d set the fire?
Both men glared at her and she sank onto the cold metal chair. She directed her comment to the sheriff. “I don’t have anything to add from my previous statement.”
Sheriff Maverick shifted. “Indulge us. We need to hear your personal account again.”
She lifted her chin. “Are you questioning everyone else who was there that night?”
The men exchanged furtive looks. “We will if we need to,” the sheriff replied.
“In light of the fact that we found Mr. Inman, we’re reviewing all the statements from witnesses, patients, staff and bystanders,” the agent said. “Sometimes after the passage of time, people recall details they didn’t notice or