Innkeeping With Murder

by Tim Myers

  Once they were back on the ground, Alex realized that Armstrong had driven away in the patrol car, leaving the doctor stranded at the inn.

  Doc Drake said, “I’ll bet he left without giving me a second thought, heading off to collect Irene, no doubt. Well, it’s no bother. I’ll catch a ride with the ambulance boys later. I’d better call Madge and let her know I’m going to be a while.”

  “You can use the telephone in my room, if you need some privacy.”

  They walked through the lobby of the inn and back to Alex’s Spartan private living space. It was a mirror image of Marisa’s room, the two having been long ago carved out of a single room.

  As Drake went to the telephone, Alex said, “Why don’t I get us some coffee?”

  The doctor nodded as he picked up the receiver. Alex shut the door softly, giving the doctor a little privacy to talk with his nurse. Madge King had started working for Drake a few months ago as his nurse and secretary when Mrs. Wembly, a stern older woman Drake had inherited with the practice, had retired.

  His new assistant had been the only nurse Drake had interviewed who’d been willing to work in the foothills of the North Carolina Mountains. She and the doctor had hit it off immediately, and there were rumors that wedding bells would soon be heard in the hills. Alex would probably use the nuptials as an excuse to fire up the Fresnel lens. Drake would love the gesture; he was a huge fan of the lighthouse himself.

  Alex filled the coffee cups from the lobby urn and headed to one set of deck chairs on the front porch of the annex. For a change, none of his guests were hanging around the inn; even Barb Matthews had made herself scarce.

  Alex’s thoughts kept going back to Reg. Who in the world would have any reason to kill that lovable old man? Alex was ashamed his thoughts went immediately to Junior. He wondered where Reg’s son was, and who would tell him about his father. Alex decided he would try to find Junior after Drake left so he could see the man’s reaction to the news of his father’s death.

  Could someone else have lanced Reg? An unrequited love perhaps? The only female on the premises even close to Reg’s age was Barb Matthews. The thought of his friend in the arms of someone like that dragon lady made Alex shudder. Surely Reg had better taste than that, but love did strange things to people. Drake came out onto the porch, interrupting Alex’s musings. “Madge is fussing at me for goofing off. She even threatened to drive out and pick me up herself if I don’t show up pretty soon.” Drake chuckled softly to himself. It was clear to Alex that the doctor enjoyed the attentions of his nurse.

  Drake changed the subject. “Now what’s on your mind, Alex? If you’d like to talk about it, I’ve been told I’m a pretty good listener.”

  Alex hesitated, then realized that it would feel good to get his troubles off his chest.

  “I’m fed up, Steven. In the three seasons since I’ve been operating this place on my own, I’ve had nothing but trouble. Dad never had my run of bad luck in all the years he ran Hatteras West. I’m starting to wonder if I’m cut out for the innkeeper’s life after all. Maybe my brother was the smart one to take the money and run.”

  Drake gestured to the cars in the parking lot. “You seem to be doing pretty well.”

  Alex shook his head. “To tell the truth, I’m barely scraping by. Marisa left the second she found out about Reg’s death, and the boiler is out of whack again. I’m tempted to take Sam Finster’s advice, sell the place and be done with it.”

  Sam Finster was the area’s local real estate whiz. He’d been after Alex to sell the lighthouse and the accompanying keeper’s houses for the past four months.

  Finster didn’t fight fair, either. When Alex had refused the agent’s third offer during the first weeks of his attempted negotiation, Finster started a campaign of lies around town so that Alex’s neighbors would join in pressuring him to sell. The latest rumor making the rounds was that an amusement conglomeration wanted to add Lighthouse Land to its inventory of attractions. The lie changed weekly, but Alex still had no idea who the real prospective buyer was.

  The worst part of all was that the agent himself had

  spread this latest rumor around town, telling everyone what a great thing the proposed amusement park would be for the community. The idea of jobs and tourists appealed to many of the people who lived in Elkton Falls and the rest of Canawba County. Everybody wanted to cash in on those tourists dollars. Several of the townsfolk had even started snubbing Alex on his trips into town.

  The doctor snorted in disgust. “Don’t let that vulture get his claws into you. Tell me the truth. You aren’t going to sell, are you? Hatteras West is a part of you; it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that you love this place.”

  Alex nodded, staring up at the faded black and white stripes of the lighthouse. “God help me, I do. I don’t know what I’d do if—”

  Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a truck coming up the gravel road. Alex recognized Mor’s fix-it shop on wheels. Mordecai Pendleton slid on the loose gravel, barely managing to stop the truck three inches from the concrete bumpers Alex had put in specifically to keep the man from driving straight into the main keeper’s house.

  As he climbed out of the truck, Mor gave the two men a big wave. “Hey Doc. Alex, if I had kids, that boiler of yours would be putting them through college.”

  Alex grinned in spite of himself. Mor Pendleton always had a way of cheering him up. The fix-it man looked like a linebacker, which he had indeed been in college. An illegal late hit had resulted in two bad knees during his junior year, sending Mor back to his old hometown minus his scholarship and without enough money to finish his degree. A lesser man might have spent his time dreaming of the glory and the paychecks that could have been, but Mor was the happiest man Alex knew.

  Alex said, “I don’t have to show you the way, do I? I’d like to talk to Doc a bit longer.”

  Mor retrieved his tool kit and slapped Alex on the back. “You mean you’re not going to watch? Jeez, buddy, in that case I can give you a price break if I don’t have to work with an audience.” Without another word, the big man walked through the doors toward the complex’s utility room.

  Less than a minute later, Alex saw the police cruiser return up the driveway. He could clearly see Irene sitting in front, her red beehive hairdo at least forty years behind the times. From where Alex stood, there appeared to be a strange woman in back of the car.

  Armstrong popped out of the cruiser and smiled. “I’ve got somebody who says she’s got a job out here. Claims Marisa Danton sent her.” Heading up the lighthouse stairs, Armstrong, Irene, and Drake left the two of them alone.

  Alex had forgotten all about Marisa’s cousin. The last thing he wanted was to saddle himself with another Danton, but he really didn’t have any choice. It was barely possible for two people to run the inn. He knew he couldn’t manage without help. Alex just hoped this particular cousin didn’t have the same tearful tendencies Marisa had.

  As she got out of the car, Alex was surprised to see that the girl was extraordinarily attractive. Long, lustrous chestnut hair hung past her shoulders, highlighting her gentle green eyes. Unlike Marisa, this woman possessed a fullness to her figure that Alex had always preferred over the gaunt, underfed type. Her ample curves were well defined in her blue jeans and burgundy short-sleeved T-shirt. As pretty as she was, Alex figured this little beauty probably wouldn’t lower herself to scrub the toilets or make beds. Still, it wasn’t like he had many options. Gamely, he went over to greet her as she pulled a single, well-worn suitcase from the cruiser’s backseat.

  Alex introduced himself. “I’m Alex Winston, owner and proprietor of Hatteras West.”

  She smiled softly as she took his hand. “I’m Elise Danton, it’s nice to meet you. Marisa told me you were looking for someone, and I’d like to apply for the job.”

  Still shaking the girl’s hand, Alex said, “You’re hired.”

  Elise pulled her hand back abruptly. “You’re not some kin
d of wolf, are you?”

  Alex spread his open hands out in a show of innocence. “We won’t know that until the next full moon, will we? You should be perfectly safe until then.”

  Elise wasn’t buying it for a second. “Then why are you hiring me so quickly?”

  It was obvious she was immune to his attempt at charm as he explained, “Well, it’s not that tough a job, so I don’t doubt you can do it. Plus, you’re Marisa’s cousin, so I don’t have to check your references, and finally, you’re the only one applying for the job.” He shrugged. “What can I say. I’m desperate.”

  “That I understand. Let’s get started.” She was all business.

  He asked, “Would you like a tour of the place first?”

  Elise shook her head. “I can find everything I need on my own. Just show me the cleaning supplies, and I’ll take it from there. I understand you’ve got quite a lot on your plate as it is today.”

  Alex breathed a sigh of relief. Elise already impressed him more than Marisa ever had. There was an air of competence about her, a familiarity, that made Alex feel hopeful for the first time in quite a while that things at Hatteras West had a chance of improving.

  Chapter 4

  It took Alex less than ten minutes to get Elise settled into her new job. That was remarkable in itself, based on how long it had taken Marisa to get acclimated. His new maid, armed with a set of keys and a cart full of supplies, headed off to clean the first room on her list.

  Alex walked back to the utility room to see if Mor was having any luck with the boiler.

  The big man was putting the last of his tools back into his steel tool chest.

  Alex groaned. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me it’s hopeless. You’ve at least got to try.”

  Mor offered him a huge grin. “Come on, Alex, lighten up. I’ve already taken care of the problem. You got lucky today, but I wouldn’t bet on it next time.”

  Alex thought of Reg’s body at the top of the lighthouse and of the impact it would have on his guests, wondering just how lucky he could be. “Does this mean we have hot water?”

  Mor said, “Give the boiler a few minutes to get

  warmed up, and you’ll be back in business. I bet that water is freezing straight out of the well.”

  Alex watched with trepidation as Mor began to fill out a bill. Alex must have caught his friend’s eye, because when the handyman looked up from his paperwork, Mor was grinning broadly.

  “I didn’t need any parts, all I had to do was adjust the air intake valve. I’d teach you to do it yourself, but then where would I be without all these hefty fees I charge you? All you have to pay for today is my labor. Les said something about collecting up front, since Marisa threatened on the answering machine to stick us with your bill from last month.”

  Alex tried to return his grin, but couldn’t manage it. “I don’t blame you a bit for asking. I just hope I have enough to cover it. How much do I owe you?”

  Mor made a careful study of his watch. “Well, I’ll be. I’ve been on my own time since I left the shop. How about if I tell Les the boiler fixed itself? That and a cold beer, we’ll call it even.”

  “That sounds like a deal to me. Thanks, I really appreciate it, Mor.”

  Maybe Alex was due to have a little good luck come his way. More likely, his luck came from having Mor as a good friend. The two of them had grown up together in Elkton Falls; they’d even been on the high school football team together when Mor was a senior and Alex was a sophomore. While Alex wasn’t nearly as good as his friend on the gridiron, he’d still been enough of a ballplayer to make the all-county squad during his own senior year, albeit as a member of the third team.

  Alex walked Mor back into the lobby where they both happened to catch a glimpse of Elise entering a guest room on the first floor.

  Mor whistled softly. “That is one sweet heartbreaker you’ve got on your hands there. Since when did Elise sign on at the inn? When you said Marisa was gone, I had no idea you’d set your sights so high on your next maid. Not that I blame you. I’d work side-by-side with that young lady any day of the week.”

  Alex said brusquely, “She needs a job, and I happened to have an opening. Do you know much about her?”

  Mor’s eyes twinkled. “Not nearly as much as I’d like to. From what I hear, she’s just been in town a few weeks. I ran into her over at the grocery store. Asked her out right off the bat, too; some opportunities are too good to pass up.”

  Alex knew Mor was famous throughout seven counties as a heartbreaker in his own right. Fathers had been known to send their eligible daughters out on phantom errands before calling Mor for a job, just to be sure they were well out of the handyman’s reach.

  “So what did she say when you asked her out?”

  The big man chuckled softly. “She was polite enough, but I got the message pretty fast that she wasn’t interested.”

  Alex smiled gently at his friend. “I’ll bet you were floored. Is that the first time you’ve ever been turned down?”

  Mor slapped him on the back. Alex couldn’t believe how much the harmless-looking tap stung. “Well, she told me she was engaged, that’s what made the message loud and clear. What are you worried about? You’re still dating Sandra, aren’t you?”

  “Off and on,” he admitted. Sandra Beckett was a lawyer from town Alex went out with occasionally. They kept it casual, no real strings between them, which suited Alex just fine.

  Alex added, “To be honest with you, I need a maid a lot more than I need a new girlfriend. I’ve got my guests, to consider, you know.”

  Mor nodded his head a little too vigorously. “Yeah, right. I always knew you were a fine one to look out after your guests. Now how about looking after me for a minute? I’d still like that beer.”

  Alex led his friend back to his own modest quarters and retrieved a cold beer from the dormitory-sized refrigerator. Alex had taken for himself the inn’s only room without a fireplace. Since taking the space over it had become his own little nook where he could temporarily get away from the constant demands of running the inn. There was a sampler quilt hanging on the wall at the head of his bed that his mother had made. She had loved to tell the story of how Alex had come to her on a Halloween night in the middle of a rare hurricane appearance in Elkton Falls. It was their special bond, surviving the storm together, and Alex missed his mother terribly. He and his father had been close, but their relationship had been nothing like the one he’d had with his mother. Alex wondered briefly if his father was haunting the place, making sure his son stayed on his toes.

  It would have been just like him.

  Alex took an extra beer out of the refrigerator for himself and the two men headed for one of the Backgammon boards set up in one corner of the lobby. It was an odd time to be playing a game, but he couldn’t face dealing with Reg’s death. Worst of all, Alex didn’t want to see them carry the body down the steel steps.

  Mor set his hulking frame in one of the chairs and took a white game piece off the board. “Pick a hand. Better yet, you can play white, and I’ll still beat you like a drum.”

  Alex suddenly shook his head. “To tell you the truth, I don’t much feel like playing. I forgot. You haven’t heard what happened, have you?”

  Mor dropped the white piece back on the game board. “What’s going on?”

  Alex brought his friend up-to-date on what had happened at the inn. When he got to the part about finding Reg’s body, Alex had to pause to steel himself enough to deliver the words. It was finally sinking in. Reg was really gone.

  “So that’s what Sheriff Strong-arms was in such an uproar about. I heard him ripping around town right before I headed out your way. That man is a menace in his patrol car. Wonder how many wrecks he’s caused himself?”

  Alex shrugged, suddenly too disheartened to rise to the bait.

  Mor got up from his seat and said, “Tell you what. Why don’t we take a raincheck on that game of backgammon? I’ve got some errands to run in t
own, and I don’t want to be late for class.”

  Alex nodded as he got up from his seat. “What are you studying this time?”

  Mor said, “I’m taking photography this semester, and my homework’s due tonight. I brought my camera so I could snap some photos on the way back to town. I want to get a few shots of the lighthouse and the inn before I leave.”

  “Be my guest.”

  Mor and Alex had enrolled in an adult education class together a few years back, figuring it would be an excellent place to meet single women and perhaps learn something while they were at it. After a great deal of debate, they had settled on a Chinese cooking class. The first night of class, the only woman in the room had been Mrs. Hurley, the high school’s home economics teacher for the last fifty years. There were seventeen men enrolled, and not a single woman. Many of the men dropped out the first night, having failed to find any eligible women, but Alex and Mor figured that since they were already there and they’d paid their tuition fees, it couldn’t hurt to learn something new. Mor was still taking classes every quarter, finding that he enjoyed learning new things more than sitting around during the evening drinking beer with his old buddies from high school, reliving glory days long gone. Alex joined him in some of the classes during the off-times for the inn, but he still had the fall leaf season ahead of him, one of his busiest times of the year.

  Alex watched Mor take a few quick pictures, then walked his friend to his truck.

  After Mor was gone, Alex stood in silence staring at the tower, trying to decide whether he wanted to head up to the top of the lighthouse and see how Irene was doing or go back inside and get some paperwork done. He was still debating the pros and cons when Irene, Doc Drake and Sheriff Armstrong came through the lighthouse’s paired red doors.

  The sheriff walked over to him and said, “Don’t

  worry about a thing, Alex, Irene says you can have the lighthouse back as soon as the boys from the county come to retrieve the body.”

  By then, Irene and Doc Drake joined the two of them. Alex turned to Irene, who was, as always, fussing with her hair. Evidently, she wasn’t used to climbing stairs, because her pillar of curls was threatening to crash down over her eyes from all the activity.