Read An Improper Death (Dr. Alexandra Gladstone Mysteries Book 2) for Free Online

burgundy-colored sofas in the room. She had already donned widow’s weeds. They made her pale skin appear even whiter and accentuated the dark hollows around her remarkably beautiful eyes. The dark shawl she’d worn the day before was once again draped over her shoulders and only accentuated the heavy somberness of her attire. Her voice was flat, and there was a sluggishness to her movements.
    “I don’t wish to trouble you, Mrs. Orkwright, but there is something I feel compelled to discuss with…” Alexandra’s voice trailed off when she saw young William standing in the doorway. She gave him a smile, but he dropped his eyes and wouldn’t look at her. She wasn’t surprised. She had only recently set a dislocated shoulder for him after he’d sustained a particularly nasty fall. No doubt he remembered the pain of that procedure. Very young children such as William often associated her with just such unpleasant memories.
    “William,” Mrs. Orkwright said when she saw her son. “Please come in and tell Dr. Gladstone hello, then you may go with Annie to your room.”
    Young William’s face clouded, and he seemed near tears. “But, Mama, I want you to—”
    “Please, William, do as I ask. I’ll be along in a moment.” Mrs. Orkwright spoke softly, and some of the flat, lifeless quality was gone from her voice. Her son was obviously a source of happiness for her.
    William walked to her side and, with his mother’s coaching, gave Alexandra a timid, formal greeting, then left the room reluctantly, glancing over his shoulder as if to make sure his mother was still there.
    Mrs. Orkwright smiled at her son, and her face softened as she watched him leave. “Please forgive Will’s lack of manners, Dr. Gladstone. I’m afraid he’s not quite himself.”
    “Of course,” Alexandra said. “I’m sure he feels keenly the loss of his father.”
    For a moment Mrs. Orkwright’s eyes glazed over again. “It…is difficult,” she finally managed to say.
    “Of course,” Alexandra said again. She felt awkward, and now she wasn’t at all certain she could broach the subject of the autopsy or the admiral’s unusual attire.
    Finally, it was Mrs. Orkwright who spoke. “You have something you wish to say to me, no doubt, regarding the admiral’s death.”
    “Yes. I’m sorry, but you see…” Alexandra looked down at her hands. Her agony was compounded by Mrs. Orkwright’s silence. “I know Constable Snow has discussed this with you, and you have voiced your opinion, but I felt I should try to persuade you to change your mind.”
    There was another uncomfortable silence before Mrs. Orkwright spoke again. She wore a bewildered expression. “I’m afraid I don’t understand. I’ve had no discussions with Constable Snow.”
    “Regarding an autopsy,” Alexandra managed to say, feeling more and more uncomfortable.
    “Autopsy?” Mrs. Orkwright shook her head. Her face appeared even paler and her eyes even darker and sunken. “I…I’m afraid not. Why would he want to discuss that with me? Is it really necessary?”
    Alexandra tried to choose her words carefully. “I thought perhaps, given the circumstances, you would—”
    “Circumstances?”
    The woman’s troubled expression gave Alexandra pause. It was clear Constable Snow had not discussed the autopsy with her. Why had he lied? Once again she couldn’t help wondering what he had to hide.

Chapter Three
    Alexandra didn’t know, at first, what she should say or how far she should push the issue with Jane Orkwright. However, the gossip about the admiral had spread all over town, and there was no way, ultimately, to protect either Mrs. Orkwright or her young son from it. It was better, she decided, to give her the truth, no matter how unpleasant the details, than to let her hear the distorted rumors.
    “Mrs. Orkwright, I’m afraid—”
    “Please, Alexandra, call me Jane. We were friends once, weren’t we? At least I always meant to be your friend. Perhaps