Medicine and Manners #2 Read Online Free PDF Page B

only knows where he got the money. I suppose you could say he bribed me into loving him. I agreed to marry Thomas when my father asked me to. I wanted to help him. I wanted him to love me as much as I love him. Surely you can understand that.”
    “Of course I can.” Alexandra was remembering how desperately she’d wanted to please her own father. “But that still doesn’t explain why you think he is a murderer.”
    “Both Jeremy Fitzsimmons and Saul Mayhew were courting me, you see, and I have to confess that I was pleased by their attention. But Papa couldn’t afford for this attraction to go any further. He said as much. He said he’d kill anyone who ruined his chance of financial redemption. It was an opportunity for both of us, he said.” Judith’s voice quaked as she spoke. “You can’t imagine how difficult this is for me,” she added, breaking into sobs.
    Alexandra went to her and took her hand. “You must try not to let it overcome you. After all, there’s no proof, not even any suspects at this point. Calm yourself and let the investigation take its course.”
    “I…I can’t in good conscience stay silent about this,” Judith said. “I had to speak to someone, and I thought you’d understand. I admire you so much—the way you’ve stood up against criticism about your right to practice medicine, the fact that you refuse to admit that women are unfit for any career they might choose.”
    “Judith,” Alexandra said with some reluctance, “I appreciate your confidence in me, but if you are convinced that what you told me about your father is true, you should tell Constable Snow.”
    “You’re right, of course, but I can’t risk anyone knowing about it if I do.”
    “And why is this?”
    “Word could get back to my father. It could be dangerous for me.”
    “Surely your father wouldn’t harm you. And how would it benefit him if something happened to you?”
    “I used to think he wouldn’t harm me, but he did strike my mother, as I told you, and now that he has resorted to murder…Please,” Judith said. “This is why I asked you here today. You must help me find a way to speak with the constable without anyone knowing it.”
    Alexandra was about to attempt to explain to her that her reasoning was flawed, but she was once again swayed by Judith’s agitation. “Very well,” she said. “I’ll go for the constable now and send him to your house.”
    Judith accompanied her to the door, where Zack and Lucy were waiting near the front. It was obvious Zack hadn’t rested there the entire time, however. Alexandra saw chewed blossoms along the walkway.
    “I’m afraid Zack has been destroying your garden,” she said, embarrassed.
    “Please don’t concern yourself,” Judith said. “Just help me.”
    “I’ll do my best,” Alexandra said. She left, riding Lucy and with Zack following along. She scolded Zack as they continued toward the constable’s office in the center of the village. Zack ducked his head briefly, but he apparently thought that was sufficient apology and galumphed ahead of Alexandra and Lucy, enjoying the spring air.
    She could see, as she approached the building in the oldest section of the village, that the door was closed. A sign on the door outside explained the reason.
    I will be away from the office for an indefinite period, attending to a matter of personal interest. A deputy has been appointed and will assume duties when possible.
    The note was signed by Constable Snow.
    Alexandra could hardly believe what she had read. It made no sense at all that the constable would leave town when there were two suspicious deaths to investigate.

Chapter 4
    “Always was an odd bird, that Snow,” said Nancy, when Alexandra told her the extraordinary news. “I should think now you’d have to agree.” She was busy replacing items on shelves and in drawers in the surgery, preparing for the next walk-in patient.
    Alexandra looped a stethoscope around her neck. “It