Murder of a Wedding Belle by Denise Swanson Read Free Book Online

her outside.”
    Charlie and Skye carried Belle out to the warm pavement. Skye checked again for a pulse or breathing but found none. As she started CPR she ordered, “Call the paramedics, then Wally.”
    “Wally!” Charlie thundered. “Wasn’t this an accident?”
    Skye shook her head but didn’t stop what she was doing.
    Charlie groaned, then lumbered off toward the motel office.
    Skye continued CPR until the EMTs arrived and pushed her aside. Stationing herself in front of the refrigerator, determined not to let anyone taint the crime scene, she waited for the police. Unfortunately, the commotion drew the bridal party from their cabins.
    Liam Murphy was the first to arrive. “What’s happened?” He was dressed in a jogging suit and continued to run in place as he spoke.
    Skye crossed her arms and maintained her position. “Please return to your cabin. Once the police arrive, they’ll speak to you.”
    “The police! What’s happened?”
    Skye kept her expression neutral. “The police will explain everything.”
    “Who put you in charge?” Liam challenged.
    “I did.” Skye met his stare. “I’m the psychological consultant to the Scumble River Police Department.”
    Before Liam could respond, Zach and Paige Hathaway, Tabitha Urick, and Gus Zeitler joined them, each wearing some form of nightclothes. The only guests missing were Hale and Hallie Jordan. As Skye tried to decide what, if anything, their absence meant, a police car skidded into the parking lot.
    Wally exited from the cruiser, followed closely by a uniformed young woman. A few weeks ago, Wally had hired two additional officers, bringing his staff to six full-timers and two part-timers, but Skye had been so busy with the wedding, she hadn’t met the new hires yet and couldn’t remember their names.
    Wally introduced them. “Skye, this is Officer Martinez. Martinez, this is our psych consultant, Ms. Denison.”
    “Call me Skye.” She noted that the female officer’s dark brown hair was drawn tightly back and fastened in a bun at the nape of her neck and her face was bare of makeup. Was the young woman trying to be one of the guys? Being the first female officer on the Scumble River PD couldn’t be easy.
    “I’m Zelda.” Officer Martinez held out a hand with professionally manicured bright red fingernails.
    “Nice to meet you.” Skye shook the young woman’s hand, glad to see Zelda wasn’t afraid to let her feminine side show after all.
    After ordering everyone back to their rooms, Wally instructed Officer Martinez to see that the guests stayed inside their cabins, then conferred with the paramedics, who shook their heads and packed up their gear.
    As the EMTs returned to their ambulance and drove away, Wally took out his cell and called for additional officers to seal off the parking lot. Next he requested the county crime-scene techs and the coroner. When Skye heard the latter, a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her and she sank to the curb. She’d been running on adrenaline, but now, realizing that Belle was really, truly dead, she thought she might throw up.
    Wally sat next to her, putting his arm around her. “Sweetheart.” He cupped her face, cradling her cheek in his calloused hand. “Are you all right?”
    Skye shook her head. “I know it’s not as if I’ve never discovered a dead body before. In fact, I’m beginning to think I might be a magnet for them. But I feel worse each time.”
    “I wouldn’t expect anything else.” Wally radiated a strength that drew Skye like a hummingbird to sugar water. “If you didn’t feel that way, you wouldn’t be the woman I love.”
    Skye gave him a quick kiss, then resolutely pulled herself together. “Should I tell you what happened?”
    Wally gave her hand a squeeze. “Start with why you think this wasn’t an accident.”
    Skye explained about the refrigeration unit being locked from the outside, then told him about her search for Belle, concluding with, “And the door to