Sharon Love Cook - Granite Cove 01 - A Nose for Hanky Panky Read Free

cleaning supplies. Cal Devine gave me a ride home in his cruiser.”
    Good old Cal. “Would you like me to come over?”
    “Thanks, Rose, but I’m better now.” She yawned. “I’m going to pull the curtains and lie down awhile. Tell your dad I’ll get to his place probably on Thursday. I got some makeup work to do first.”
    “Don’t worry about that. If it’s okay, I’d like to stop by tomorrow morning.”
    “That’s fine. By the way, there’s one thing I forgot.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Chief Alfano told me not to say anything ‘til they had a chance to notify the family. Keep this under your hat.”
    “You know me, Doris.”
    After hanging up I dialed the cell phone of Cal Devine, my favorite cop who also happens to be a former boyfriend. He answered, his voice hushed. “Rosie, why am I not surprised to hear from you?”
    “I’ve been talking to Doris Zack. What’s going on?”
    “Wait a minute. I’m sitting in the parking lot with twenty cops from Rockport to Boston. Let me get out and talk.” The sound of a car door slamming was followed by the crunch of gravel. Cal resumed talking, louder now. “Okay, McNichols, what do you want to know? By the way, I figured Doris Zack’s silence wouldn’t last five minutes.”
    “Just tell me what’s happening there. Doris mentioned Dr. Klinger.”
    “You didn’t hear it from me, okay? In a nutshell, the victim is Vivian Klinger, a local shrink with an office at the Harbour Building. Apparently she was working late last night when someone paid a visit and clubbed her.”
    “My God, I can’t believe she’s dead.”
    “She’s dead all right. We’ll know more after the coroner’s report. They’re not using Doc Moss for this. They got someone from Boston.”
    “Was it robbery?”
    “Doesn’t seem to be. Nothing’s out of place and the surrounding offices weren’t touched. They’re thinking it’s a patient with a grudge.”
    “What was the murder weapon?”
    “Blunt instrument, a club, judging from the wound.”
    “One more thing.”
    “Make it quick, honey. The chief’s gonna make a statement.”
    “Was Dr. Klinger sexually assaulted? I understand she was wearing a slip.”
    “Somebody ought to duct tape Doris Zack’s mouth. Yes, she was wearing a slip, but we won’t know until the coroner’s report.”
    “Thanks, Cal. I’ll call you soon.”
    “How come you only call when you want information?”
    “I’ll try to do better. No suspects then?”
    Cal sighed. “Right now everyone’s a suspect, including Doris Zack. After all, she had a key to the office.”
    “Do me a favor,” I said. “Don’t tell her.”
    After hanging up I leaned against the refrigerator and stared off into space. How could Dr. Klinger, of all people, be dead? I had seen her on local TV two nights ago. The hospital’s mental health unit was promoting the fact that April is Depression Month and the clinic offered free screenings.
    Dr. Klinger looked professional and glamorous at the same time. Her dark hair gleamed under the studio lights. She exuded such competence I almost picked up the phone to make a screening appointment. Nonetheless, I have a pretty good idea what my depression score would reveal, that I’m somewhere between pessimism and despair. Blame it on April, the cruelest month.
    Dad interrupted my reverie. “What did Doris say? Is she coming over?”
    “Not today, Dad. Maybe Thursday.” I decided there was no point in telling him about the murder. He’d hear soon enough.
    “They better not charge me for today,” he muttered.
    I had to get back to the office pronto. Before leaving, I unwrapped Dad’s lunch and set it out. On my way out the door, I made sure his dead bolt lock was securely in place.
    Yvonne’s bug-eyed stare indicated she’d heard the news. “Rose! I’ve been trying to get you for an hour. Don’t you answer your phone?”
    “I left as soon as I heard,” I said, making a beeline for my desk. “What do you want