Mountain Ice (David Dean Mysteries)

Finally, his patience wore thin. "Is Shipton accusing me? Because if he is, he's either grossly mistaken, a damned liar or setting me up! Someone cut that rope, but it wasn't me." Corday gave Dean an I-don't-believe-you look.

"Have you been in Shipton's room?" Corday asked.

Dean remembered Shipton's luggage and the container that held the rope. His prints would be on them and they were now in the possession of the police. "Sure," he answered. "This is an inn and someone has to keep it cleaned." More raised eyebrows.

Corday rose, and asked, not quite casually enough. "When is your wife returning?"

Of all the questions Corday had asked, for some reason, this one made Dean's heart do an extra skip.