Read Online 1 A Small Case of Murder by Lauren Carr - Free Book Online

morning news.
    Marjorie Greene, the no-nonsense prosecuting attorney sent by the attorney general, told the media that she intended to go for the maximum sentence. A known drug dealer who goes around shooting up churches during Sunday morning service, Victoria Rawlings was a public menace.
    For their statement, the Rawlings family apologized to those their lost lamb had hurt. Jail wasn’t the answer for poor Victoria, they insisted. She didn’t intend to hurt anyone. She was trying to commit suicide to end the inner battle between God and Satan for her soul. They requested prayers and understanding.
    The morning after the arrest, dressed in his soiled work clothes, Joshua reported his progress on his cousin’s behalf during a coffee break in his halfway cleaned up reception area. Feeling like his toes were being smothered, he had removed his shoes and socks.
    Besides updated plumbing, Dr. Wilson’s office also lacked air conditioning. It was only eight o’clock in the morning and the humidity was already stifling.
    Tad wasn’t listening to him.
    Joshua had boxed the late doctor’s papers and stacked them in a corner in the reception area. Piled three boxes high, the folders took over a quarter of the floor space. Over seventy years of medical records for the population of a whole town makes for a lot of paper.
    Crouched on his knees, Tad would search through one folder before returning it to the box and checking the next one’s contents.
    “What are you looking for?” Joshua used his socks for a fan to air his feet.
    “My patients’ records.”
    “No, you’re looking for something in particular. Tell me what it is, and I might be able to help.”
    “No, you can’t.”
    “Then maybe you can help me. Want some turn-of-the-century medical journals?”
    Tad yanked the next folder from the box and scanned its contents. “Which century?” He shoved the folder back.
    Joshua led him up the back staircase to the room that was to be his legal office, Dr. Wilson’s former private office. All four walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling built in bookcases filled with books, plus more in crates on the floor.
    “Looks like Mrs. Wilson wasn’t the only pack rat,” Joshua said. “He never threw away any medical journals. We also have old books, and some of them are first editions of novels that are now classics.”
    Tad removed two books from a shelf to examine. They were in mint condition. “Don’t you collect books?”
    “I’d have to add on another room to the house for all of these. Some of them are valuable. Others are junk.”
    The bell over the front door jingled to signal the arrival of a potential client.
    “Are you open for business?” Tad dropped the books he was examining back into a crate.
    “I might as well be. Someone has to pay for two bath-rooms, new plumbing, and central air conditioning for this place.” Joshua held open the door for Tad to lead the way down the stairs.
    Beth Davis was in the same clothes she had been wearing at Tad’s apartment two days before. Her make-up had worn off to reveal a pale, splotchy complexion and dark bags under her eyes.
    Afraid that she might collapse in her disoriented condition, Joshua guided her to the sturdiest chair available.
    Beth clutched his hands with clammy, trembling, fingers. “Are you open for business yet?” She seemed unaware of his less-than-professional attire.
    Tad picked up one of the boxes. “Thanks a lot for saving these papers for me, Josh. I’ll be by with a truck later to get the rest.” He shot a smile, which wasn’t returned, to Beth on his way out the door.
    “I’ll pick you up at ten o’clock to go to New Cumberland,” Joshua called out to him.
    After acknowledging the reminder of Vicki Rawlings’ arraignment with a nod of his head, Tad closed the door behind him on his way out.
    “I’ve been worried about you.” Joshua poured a cup of coffee for her.
    “Have you really?”
    “Why wouldn’t I be?” He handed her