Page 10 of Little Empty Promises

“I think we should talk to her,” Whitlock said.“What say you, Foley?”

“She’s not coming in here and messing with my crime scene,” Foley said.

“I’m not saying we should let her in,” Whitlock said.“I’m saying we should talk to her.”

“Go on, then,” Foley said.“But I don’t want her stepping a single foot inside this place.”

Whitlock saluted and said, “Roger that.”

He started for the front door, and I followed, half expecting Foley to stop me, but he didn’t.

Whitlock grinned at the woman and said, “Hello there.Mind if we talk outside?”

“Of course, I mind,” she said.“It’s cold out here.Let me in.”

“It is a wee bit nippy, isn’t it?How about we hop in my SUV?It has the works—heated seats, a blanket in the back, everything to get you warm in no time.”

The woman raised a brow, confused.“I want to know what’s going on here.Why won’t you let me in?”

“We’re investigating an incident that happened earlier this evening.”

“What are you talking about?Whatincident?Who are you two?”

“My name is Georgiana Germaine,” I said.“And this is Detective Whitlock.What’s your name?”

“Samantha Swan.I manage the library, and you still haven’t answered my question.”

“Come with me, and let’s get warmed up,” Whitlock said.“I’ll answer whatever questions I can.”

She hesitated a moment, taking a few bites of the sundae, which had all but melted.Then she nodded, and we followed Whitlock to his SUV.My buns were cold, and as soon as I hopped into the back seat, and he started the vehicle, I cranked the seat warmer all the way up.

“Forgive my appearance,” Samantha said.“I was at home, planning on making it an early night, and I had a craving for something sweet.So I threw on my coat and left, thinking I wouldn’t run into anyone while I was out.Well, no one except for an employee at the drive-thru.”

“We’ve all been there,” Whitlock said.“How long have you known Cordelia Bennett?”

“She’s been a patron of the library for decades.For years, she’d come in once or twice a month and read to the kids on the weekend.We just brought her on as a volunteer.I’d hoped it might cheer her up after the loss of her husband.Why do you ask?”

I waited to see how Whitlock would respond, knowing the truth of what happened tonight would be public knowledge soon enough.

“I don’t know how else to say it, so I’m just going to be straight with you,” Whitlock said.

“Please do.”

“Mrs.Bennett is dead.”

“What?How?Where?”

“She died in the library sometime this evening.”

Samantha gasped, slapping a hand against her mouth, her head shaking.“No, no, no, no, no.I don’t believe it.Ican’tbelieve it.I saw her earlier today, and we talked.What happened?”

“We’re not sure yet.That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

“Is she … still in there?”

“For now.”

“How did she die?Was it a heart attack or something?”

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