Page 11 of Wild Frost

Ford frowned and nodded. “That guy is doling out pills to half the women in Stingray Bay.”

"Where is Diesel?"

"I don't know. Whitney said the kids were spending the night out last night. I guess Diesel’s with them at Ainsley’s house.”

"Where does Ainsley live?”

"She lives a block over on Pearl Point.”

I made a mental note. "How long had your wife been using cocaine?”

Ford looked at me with concerned eyes. "I didn't know she was using cocaine.”

"You’ve never seen any indication of drug use, apart from the prescriptions?"

Ford shook his head. "I don't even know where she would get hard drugs like that."

I shared a look with Jack.

"Is that what killed her?"

I hesitated. "We can't be sure yet. The medical examiner will get to the bottom of it. But it looks like she may have overdosed. The combination of substances could have proved lethal."

Ford's mouth tensed, and he gritted his teeth. "I blame that son-of-a-bitch for this. He's responsible. She never would have had that medication otherwise."

"Dr. Carlson?"

Ford nodded. "That's illegal, right? He can't just prescribe medications like that to pets, knowing these women are going to take them.”

"No. It's not legal.”

Ford shook his head in frustration. "I should never have allowed that kind of thing.” He shook his head in frustration. “I didn't think she had a problem. As far as I knew, it was only occasional use."

"Sometimes all it takes is one time and the wrong combination of substances."

Ford's cheeks reddened.

"Tell me about your relationship with your wife."

He shrugged. "It was great," he said, his eyes filling again. "Why?"

"Did you ever get into any arguments or disagreements?"

His face wrinkled like it was a ridiculous question, and it was. "Sure. What married couple doesn't?”

I didn't think he had anything to do with his wife's death, but at this point, I didn’t want to rule him out as a suspect. Perhaps he facilitated her overdose.

"Are you seeing anyone else on the side?"

His face tensed even more. "No! What does that have to do with anything?"

I hesitated another moment and shared a look with Jack, then continued. "There are indications that your wife had a visitor last night."

That hung there for a moment.

Ford looked like he'd been hit with a brick. "A visitor?”

I took a deep breath. "I don't know how to tell you this, but there's evidence your wife was having an affair.”