Barbara Graham - Quilted 03 - Murder by Music by Barbara Graham Page B

The Lodge, shifting his weight from side to side, making his bathrobe sway. His eyes were moving constantly, never appearing to focus on anything. To Tony it looked like Art wanted to come outside and see what was going on and also wasn't sure he was up to the scene.
    Doc's conversation was short and to the point. “I'd guess your killer strangled her upstairs and dropped her into the bush. It was murder.”
    “Why are you so sure?”
    “There's a thin wire wrapped twice around her neck.” The doctor shook his head, a silent commentary on the cruelties people inflict. “It's tight enough to dig into her skin.”

C HAPTER T EN
    Tony saw Theo from the corner of his eye. She had changed from her pajamas and robe into warmer clothes. Tony knew she had kept her horrible vigil until he waved to her. Now dressed in sweatpants and one of his old sweatshirts, she stood motionless near the outside door, staring at Art Trimble's pajama covered legs and his bare feet. Her expression might have been confusion or surprise. With a shiver, she lifted her face and met Tony's gaze. Her head moved slightly from side to side.
    Tony watched both of them. He was concerned about Theo and intensely curious about Art. Whatever the hotel owner was involved in, he had changed clothes since Theo had last seen him. “Well, Art,” said Tony. “I think the best thing for you to do now would be to return to your apartment and stay there with your wife. I'll have some questions for you a bit later.” As he watched the man vanish down the hallway, he knew Art was guilty. The question was: guilty of what? He might have been simply cheating on his wife, but he had definitely done something wrong tonight. Why hadn't he been more persistent about trying to determine what had brought Tony into his hotel at this hour? And with Doc Nash at his heels? Was the man completely devoid of curiosity, which Tony doubted, or did he already know why Tony and Doc were here so early in the morning?
    He turned his attention to Theo, who stood so still and looked so forlorn. The lobby lights were dim, and she was almost part of a shadow. Tony stepped toward her, leaving the umbrella in the doctor's care. Only when he opened his arms for her did she finally leave her post and dash into their shelter. Pressing her chilled face into the warmth of his jacket covered chest, she clung to him. After a minute, she finally managed to ask, “Did she fall?” Her voice was a mere whisper and she was shaking all over.
    “No. It doesn't look like it to me.” He wondered how much to tell her. “Doc thinks she was dead for some time before she was dropped over the side. That's just his first impression and nothing I want spread around.” Theo nodded her understanding. Her shivers increased, and he pulled her even closer. “While we wait, I need for you to answer a couple of questions.” He led her over to where he could still see the body but kept her face turned away from it. “Wade will be here in a few minutes, and then we can go inside.”
    “Okay.” Her shivering lessened a bit.
    “Did anything unusual happen last night? What time did everyone go to bed?”
    Theo thought for a minute and pulled back so she could look up at Tony's face. “Melissa went to bed first. I'm not sure of the time, but I think it was about ten-thirty. Then Eleanor went to bed about eleven-thirty and Scarlet was right behind her.” Theo's eyes searched his. Hers were glistening with unshed tears as she answered his unspoken question. “As expected, I guess, Eleanor was pretty obnoxious at the start and then, after Martha blew up at her, Eleanor shut up and just sat there quietly working on her quilt. When she went up to bed, she said she was going to read for a while. Do you know she drinks? The big travel mug she always carries was filled with some rum concoction.”
    Tony watched as Theo repeatedly ran a hand through her tangled curls until her hair formed a ball around her head like a wad