Leon wasn’t looking at her. Instead, his eyes were fixed on the rough dirt drive that led to the house. “You might not need to wait that long.” He nodded, drawing her attention to the vehicle that was approaching. “That’s Cameron Delaney’s car.”
Leon resisted the temptation to place his arm around Flora’s shoulders as they walked down the porch steps. At the same time, Cameron’s car pulled up in front of the house and he and Laurie exited the vehicle. In what looked like a pre-arranged movement, Cameron went over to the twins while Laurie walked toward the house.
“How did you know I was here?” Leon suspected he was the only person who would be able to hear the wobble in Flora’s voice. It was because he was listening for it.
“I didn’t,” Laurie said. “But when you weren’t at home, I decided to come out here and see if Leon had any idea where you might be.”
Flora’s eyes were on the twins. Cameron had squatted beside them and was patting Tiny. The two boys appeared to be competing to tell him all about their game. “Is this about Lilith?”
“I’m sorry, Flora. There’s no easy way to say this.” Laurie’s expression was solemn. “Lilith Bronson is dead.”
Leon moved quickly. As Flora swayed toward him, he caught hold of her upper arms, steadying her and holding her against his chest. Guiding her back up the steps, he eased her down into the chair she had just vacated.
Although her face was pale, she seemed to have regained some of her composure. Keeping a tight grip on his hand, she looked up at Laurie. “Was she...?”
“Stabbed,” Laurie stated bluntly. “Obviously there will need to be a full autopsy, but the circumstances of her murder appear to be almost identical to those of Joy Valeski’s.”
“Both women confided in me right before they were killed.” Flora’s face paled.
Leon dropped on one knee beside her chair. Turning his head, he looked up at Laurie. “Can you get her a glass of water, please?” Laurie went into the house and he placed his hands on Flora’s knees. “You don’t need me to tell you what to do.”
She gave him a glimmer of a smile. “I’m not going to faint.”
He ducked his head, getting a better look at her face. “Sure about that?”
“I think so.” She straightened. “It was just a shock to hear it that way.”
“That was my fault.” Laurie returned. She grimaced as she handed Flora a glass of water. “I’m sorry. Police officers and diplomacy, it’s not our strong point.”
“I don’t think there was any way you could deliver news like that and it wouldn’t be disturbing.” Flora took a sip of water. “Who found the body?”
“I did.” Laurie pulled another chair over and took a seat. “Joe Nolan and I called out to see Lilith about two hours ago, just as I told you we would. I knew she was expecting us, so I was surprised when we couldn’t get an answer. Joe went around to the back of the house to check things out. The kitchen door was wide open, and we went inside.”
“That means she must have been killed soon after she left my office.” Flora seemed calmer now and Leon returned to his own seat, drawing the chair closer to hers. She smiled in acknowledgment of the gesture.
“Her conversation with you will be an important part of our investigation.” Laurie turned her head as her husband joined them.
“The dog is a better babysitter than I could ever be,” Cameron said to Flora. “I think we’re safe to talk without your boys overhearing.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry your introduction to Stillwater has been so gruesome.”
“Obviously the main concern is these poor women. But I’m also worried about the impact on the Ryerson Center. It’s possible I was the last person to see both Joy and Lilith alive.” Flora managed a grim smile. “It’s not the sort of publicity you and the other trustees were hoping for.”
“You weren’t the last person to see them alive,” Leon said. “The murderer was.”
Flora gave him a grateful look before turning to Laurie. “Can we talk freely in front of Leon? Although Lilith spoke to me as a patient to a doctor, what she told me impacts on the Main Street Clinic and if her murder is similar to Joy’s...”
“Of course,” Laurie said. “I’ve already made Cameron aware of the details of what’s been happening to you, Flora. By which I mean, the vandalism to your house, garden, and car. Even though he isn’t directly involved. If the Ryerson Center, or you as one of its employees, is being targeted, then sharing information becomes more important than protecting confidentiality.”
“I know Lilith was one of Alan Grayson’s patients.” Leon had an uncomfortable feeling about where this was heading. “And that she’d recently made the move to the Ryerson Center. I think I can guess the rest.”
There was a brief interruption as the twins bounded up the steps. “Drink, Mommy.” Leon was fascinated by the way they could speak in unison. “Please.”
“Let me do it,” Cameron said. “I’m the person who is least involved and I already know most of the story.”
“There’s juice in the fridge,” Leon said. “And some leftover chocolate cake.”
“Cake!” The suggestion acted like a magic charm on the twins, who followed Cameron into the house. Tiny, who usually responded with similar enthusiasm to one of his favorite words, flopped onto the grass with the appearance of a creature who had been drained of all energy.
Flora waited until the boys had gone. When she spoke, it was directly to Leon. “I’ve already given Laurie this information, so I’m summarizing to bring you up to speed. Lilith came to see me this afternoon. It was the first time we’d met. The information she gave me was almost the same as what Joy had told me. Lilith believed Alan had misdiagnosed her for financial gain because patients would have to receive continuous medical
