I bit back a retort as Shane made his way into the building. After all, Tory had just found a woman lying dead in a pool of her own blood. That kind of shock did things to people. I looked at George who simply shrugged at me.
“Poor Barbara,” Blake said, bringing my attention back to the poor woman who clung to me. “Poor Barbara. She didn't deserve to die.”
I patted Blake's arm. “No, she didn't.”
“Who could have done such a thing?” Blake asked. “Barbara wouldn't hurt a flea.”
“I didn't know Barbara,” I said, “but no one deserves to die like that.”
“I've got to put up a sign.” She pulled away as if to go back into the crime scene. “I've got to let everyone know that the Butterfly House is closed. I've got to let Barbara's family know.”
“The police will take care of her family.” I gently guided Blake back toward the ambulance. “You need to take care of yourself. Trust me, you've had a shock. You should go to the clinic and get checked out.”
George helped Tory into the ambulanceâone of the few motorized vehicles allowed on the island for safety purposes.
“Let George help you,” I said.
Mal nudged Blake as if to let her know that she was not alone in her sorrow.
“Thank you. It's so upsetting,” Blake said as I helped her up in the ambulance.
Mal jumped up with them.
“It is okay if Mal goes with you?” I asked George.
“She should be quarantined until any evidence she's carrying is collected,” he said. “Are you staying?”
“I should give my statement and see if there is anything that Rex or Shane needs,” I said.
George nodded and closed the doors on the ambulance. “We'll take good care of these girls. You can pick Mal up after Shane gets his evidence.”
“Thanks.” I waved them off as he slowly drove away. I turned and looked at the trail to the Butterfly House entrance. What a terrible thing to happen in such a fun and beautiful place. First thing was to put a note on the door. The next was to go back inside and see what I could do to help figure out who would do such a terrible thing. Last was to figure out why my cousin Tory didn't feel that she could stay with me.
Was she hiding something? Was it something that had to do with the dead woman on the floor of the Butterfly House?