Her First Love

FOURTEEN

Caleb and Sheriff Reed cornered the middle-aged widow in the dining room. Thankfully, no one else was around to hear what he and the sheriff would ask her. But in Caleb's opinion, they didn't have to ask her anything. As soon as she saw the sheriff, her face lost color, and she hardened her expression.

"Mrs. Crane," Denton began, "forgive us for coming so late, but I have a few questions for you about the murders of Brenda Garby and Patsy Zucca, and the attempted murder of Nicole Blake."

Mrs. Crane lifted her chin haughtily. "I fear I don't know those ladies." She pushed past the sheriff and walked toward the parlor.

"Actually, you do," Caleb snapped, following right behind her. "Considering Brenda rented a room from you, and now her cousin is renting a room." He shook his head. "You don't lie very well, Mrs. Crane."

She forced a laugh as she tucked in a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Brenda and Nikki. I don't know them by their last names."

Caleb stepped in front of her, glaring down at the woman. His fingers itched to wrap around her throat and squeeze. And to think, he wasn't a violent man. "Don't try to cover up your lies."

Denton coughed loudly as he pulled Caleb away from the woman. He tried to control his anger, flexing his hands as he breathed slowly.

"Mrs. Crane. The food you served to Miss Blake tonight was tainted with poison. I know you tried to poison her, especially since you are the only one who cooks for your renters."

The woman gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her bosom. "Oh, dear. How could you possibly think I would want to harm that sweet lady?"

"That's what we'd like to know," Caleb snapped. "Neither Brenda nor Nicole has done anything to you. For that matter, Patsy hadn't done anything, either, so why did you kill them?"

"West," Denton warned, shaking his head.

Grumbling, Caleb turned and took a few steps away before he followed through with his idea of strangling the woman. As the sheriff asked questions that she denied, Caleb moved his gaze around the room. A few pictures hung on the walls, and near the rolltop desk, a miniature of a boy sat on the shelf. Familiarity pricked at Caleb's mind, and he stepped closer. Immediately, he recognized the eyes and the bushy hair. Weston?

Alan had mentioned Mrs. Crane having a nephew that lived with her. Could Weston be that man? Something didn't sit right in Caleb's mind. He knew Weston's grandfather was Doctor Stiles. And the old doctor had a few children who still lived around this area of Montana.

Caleb swung around and studied Mrs. Crane closer. She had the doctor's chin and nose. Caleb would bet money that this was the doctor's daughter. Yet, what was the connection? Why was she poisoning the saloon girls, unless...

Before Brenda was killed, Caleb recalled Weston trying to flirt with the woman. Brenda was nice to almost everyone, but she liked her men older. Not scrawny like Weston. And, a few days ago, Weston tried to get chummy with Patsy, even though she was almost as old as his mother. Both times, the women had nicely let the kid down. But Caleb had seen how much it upset Weston that the saloon girls wouldn't pay him any attention. Nicole also mentioned that Weston had tried to flirt with her and had even touched her...

Cussing under his breath, Caleb marched toward Mrs. Crane and gripped her arm, yanking her around to face him. "You were poisoning the girls because they didn't find Weston attractive."

"What?" Sheriff Reed gasped.

Caleb pointed to the miniature on the shelf. "My bartender is Mrs. Crane's nephew... and Doctor Stiles' grandson."