They were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Maggie, the sheriff wants to talk to you,” Dyna called.
Rob stood up. “I’ll come back later.”
“Promise?” Maggie asked, reluctantly watching him go. Dyna, who seemed to be playing gate-keeper, let him out and ushered in the sheriff.
“Hi there, young lady,” Sheriff Burger said, striding to the foot of the bed, hat in hand. Maggie noticed his quiet air of authority and intelligence, features she’d missed in their first two encounters. Was it simply the terrible pain of dealing with Lori’s death and her impatience to alleviate it, for herself and for Lori’s family, that blinded her to his true qualities? The sheriff had been working steadily on solving the Highview murders all the time, but she’d thought him inactive and uncaring. Now she knew otherwise, and she felt guilty for her misjudgment.
“I just thought I’d let you know those two are safely locked up,” he said, “and thanks to you, most likely they’ll be put away for quite a long time.”
“You deserve most of the credit, sheriff.”
“Well, we won’t start arguin’ about that,” he said, winking. “Also, your car is at Cooper’s garage. They’ll probably have it back to you by tomorrow in pretty good shape.”
“Thanks so much for all your help.”
“Not at all. Thank you for yours, but next time, how about you just leave it to us. I hate to see young ladies ruin a good pair of shoes like you did.”
Maggie grinned, and he lifted his hat to her in farewell.
“We’ll be in touch.”
Maggie watched him go out the door. His words hung in the air. Next time?
Fatigue rolled over her, then, as the last molecule of adrenaline in her weary body was used up. She slid down in the bed and pulled the covers up close to her face, letting all thoughts fade away and sleep take over.
It seemed like only five minutes later that her phone rang loudly in her ear. Maggie sat up in confusion, blinking at the bright light now streaming through her window.
“Hello,” she rasped as she pulled the receiver to her ear, nearly knocking the base of the phone off the table.
“Maggie! When are you coming home?” her brother Joe demanded, his voice piercing through her fog.
Maggie laughed, shaking the sleep from her head, and pushing the phone base safely back into place. Poor Joe. So far away, and feeling helpless and frustrated because of that. She had so much to tell him. Things that would probably earn her an earful from him, but possibly also a little respect. As his older sister, she felt she deserved that. And as her much-loved brother, he deserved something too. She sat up a little straighter to deliver it.
“Joe,” she said, “you’re such a nag.”
###
Mary Ellen Hughes is the author of several mysteries. Please visit her website: http://www.maryellenhughes.com to learn more or to contact her.
Table of Contents
RESORT TO MURDER
Mary Ellen Hughes - Maggie Olenski 01 - Resort to Murder Page 17