Samuelson jotted in his notebook.
“How long had he been lying there before I came?” The E.R. doctor might have some idea of the time it would take for that kind of wound to lead to death. “Long enough for someone to drive away?” It chilled me to the bone to think a killer had been in the area while Mom and I were there.
Samuelson shook his head. “It appears the stabbing occurred shortly before the ambulance came.”
In that instant their taciturn expressions made sense. My fingers curled around the rocking chair’s arm. For a moment the words wouldn’t form on my tongue. “Are you saying you think I did this?”
“Did you?” Samuelson’s tone signaled his suspicion.
“No! Are you—” I leaned forward, hands spread. “You have got to be kidding me. I work in a doctor’s office. I help save people.”
“Then what were you doing there?”
“I saw an accident! I stopped to help.”
“Did you know Morton Leringer?”
“No. I still don’t know anything about him.” My voice rose. “Besides, I had my mother with me. In her state I have to be careful not to upset her. There is no way I’m responsible for this.”
My vehemence ran out. I flopped back in the rocking chair.
The men’s expressions did not change. Then Rutger gave a slow nod. “We may be inclined to believe you. If you tell us everything that transpired between you and Leringer.”
“What have we here, company?” My mother’s voice, laced with childlike excitement, came from behind me. “How nice.” She came into the living room, hand extended. One side of her hair stuck out, a crease in her cheek from her pillow.
I jumped to my feet. “Mom, maybe you should—”
“I’m Carol Ballard.” She smiled at Samuelson.
He shook her hand but didn’t rise from the couch. “Samuelson.”
Mom shook Rutger’s hand next. He didn’t bother to rise either. Such rudeness.
“Goodness, you have nothing to drink.” Mom turned to me. “Have you offered them something?”
“It’s okay.” Samuelson raised a hand. “We’re fine.”
“Mom, you want to go back to your room?” I reached for her arm. “We’ll be done here soon.”
“No, I want to stay.” She looked around for a place to sit, then lowered herself onto an ottoman near the small fireplace. Mom looked at the three of us expectantly. “What are we talking about?”
I hesitated, wishing I could persuade her to leave, knowing she wouldn’t budge. “You want to sit in your chair, Mom?”
“No, no, this is perfect.” She patted the ottoman.
With reluctance, I sat back down in the rocking chair.
Samuelson eyed Mom as if sizing her up. Or should I say—down? His lip curled. I shot him a disdainful look. How dare they treat my mother like this! FBI or not, I wanted them out of my house—now.
Rutger caught my glare. He raised his chin, eyes narrowing. “As we were saying, Mrs. Shire—”
“I remember very well what you were saying.” I pushed to my feet again. “I want you to leave.”
Mom gasped. “Carol, how impolite you’re being.” She turned to the men. “I apologize for my daughter. She’s had a hard afternoon. We were driving and saw a—”
“They know, Mom. That’s why they’re here.”
“Oh, really?” Anticipation flitted across Mom’s face. “How is Morton, Mr. Samuelson? Can we go see him?”
I shook my head at Samuelson—don’t tell her. He ignored me, focusing on my mother. “Mr. Leringer died in the hospital.”
Mom’s expression froze. “He . . . died?” She turned to me, her eyes filling with pain. “He’s dead?”
I wanted to strangle the FBI agent. What was wrong with him? “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Her hands laced together tightly. “Oh. Then we can’t . . .” She caught herself, and her face shuttered.
Rutger honed in on her. “Can’t what?”
“Nothing.” Mom placed both hands on the ottoman, struggling to rise. Her sudden blank look and open mouth signaled how upset she felt.
I helped her up. “You want to go to your room now, and we’ll talk about this later?”
“We need to question her first,” Samuelson said.
I swiveled toward him. “You’re not questioning her at all.”
Mom waved a weak hand in the air. “Yes, Hannah, I’ll go . . . lie down.”
Rutger shook his head. “She needs to stay.”
“No, she doesn’t.” I didn’t even try to keep the anger from my voice. “I’m going to take her to her room, then I’ll bring you what you clearly came for.” Anything to get rid of these two ogres.