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mouth.
    “Andi, stop.” The heat of Jerry’s glare crackled between us. “What are you talking about, Franklin?”
    “He was talking about canceling her contract and finding another partner for her side of the business.” Now Franklin directed his own glare at me.
    “I’m . . . I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I’m sorry for your loss, but I don’t see what Dr. Mukherjee getting axed from the practice would have to do with this. Because she told me—” I stopped myself short. Barkha could defend herself, and it wasn’t my job to tell either of them that Barkha had contemplated breaking her contract and leaving the practice.
    “Told you what?” both men asked in unison.
    “I’m sure she’ll tell you everything, Jerry. Because it’s not my place.” I shrugged and felt a trickle of sweat snake down my back. “Never mind.”
    “Chief,” came a voice beyond us, in the waiting room. “We’re ready to release the crime scene. We’ve got everything else we came back for.” One of the detectives approached, peeling disposable gloves from his hands.
    Jerry nodded. “I’ll let Dr. Mukherjee know so she can notify the office manager. Franklin, meet me at the station and we’ll talk. I’m sure they have a lot to do here in the office.”
    Surely Jerry couldn’t be entertaining thoughts of Barkha’s possible involvement in Dr. Bradley’s death. “Jerry . . .” Another look from him silenced me. Yes, of course he must be considering anyone who worked closely with Dr. Bradley. A good officer would, and should. I, of all people, knew that appearing innocent didn’t mean someone wasn’t guilty.
    I thought of Charla Rae Thacker, murdered by her own sister a few years ago, right here in Greenburg.
    Which made me wonder if Franklin pointing the finger at Barkha wasn’t convenient for him. With the sun beating down on all of us, I clutched the digital recorder, then tucked it into my purse.
    “Franklin, where were you on Friday night between six and eleven?” I couldn’t resist asking him. “Don’t you look at the family members first, Jerry?”
    “I don’t need to explain myself to you,” Franklin’s cheeks bloomed red. “I met some friends at the Hickory Pit for dinner, then we went out to the river. If you must know.”
    Jerry nodded. “You’ll have to give an official statement, of course, and so will they.” Then he shot me a withering look. “Andi, I don’t need your help. Go work on your soap, spoil that baby, and let us work.”
    Now my own cheeks blazed with heat. No fair, Franklin pointing a finger at Barkha. But he’d called her that foreign doctor. I gritted my teeth.
    “Fine, Jerry. I understand.” Of course my brother-in-law was right, and the fact galled me. Besides my home, there was one other place of refuge that would settle my rattled nerves, so I stomped to the Jeep and left the men standing at the office doorway.
     
     
    There’s a lot to be said for aromatherapy. I smiled as I entered Tennessee River Soaps and tried to shake off the gloom that followed me from Bradley Medical.
    The scent of soap made a delightful symphony, Peachy Keen taking turns with Cherries Jubilee. Three years in business now, but that didn’t make it easier for me. If only Tennessee River Soaps could expand.
    My arms ached to hold Hannah, but it was good to have a couple of hours to work without distraction before I headed home. Jerry was right. I needed to cool my jets for a while. On Mondays, I kept the shop closed to work on inventory and Internet orders.
    I entered the workroom after I turned on my computer and downloaded the latest orders online. I’d leave the printout for Sadie, my assistant, to box up the orders and ship them when she arrived later in the afternoon.
    A new scent was in order. Something pretty, exotic. Not fruit-scented. Barkha needed cheering up, and I would concoct a scent she’d appreciate. Spicy, with a hint of floral tones. But not too heavy. Besides, customers had