Murder at the Arlington: Chapter 22

Once Officer O’Riley arrived to stand guard outside Ruth’s door, I went back to the Arlington to gather a few things so I could spend the night at the hospital. Ruth was physically fine, but I knew she’d be frightened.

I came through the employees’ entrance so I wouldn’t run into anyone. The story of our adventure had to be all over the hotel, if not the entire city. I grabbed a change of clothes and left. I made one stop before the hospital and was back just as Ruth was waking up. Her color was much improved, and the best sign was that she was hungry. I waved a paper bag under her nose, and a slow smile spread across her face.

“McClard’s?”

“McClard’s. Barbecue, beans, potato salad and — ”

“Banana pudding?”

“You got it.”

I started removing all the hospital things from her tray and sat out the food. “We eat first, and then we talk. Two smart Texas women should be able to figure out what’s going on, don’t you think?”

“Two smart Texas women wouldn’t be stupid enough to get shot in the woods.”

“Pessimism is not your thing. You must really be hungry.”

Ruth ate, but not with her usual aplomb. Neither did I for that matter. “I should probably call Francie,” I said.