Reservations for Murder

by Tim Myers

  “He can join the club,” the sheriff said. “Murder gives me insomnia, too.”

  As they disappeared into his office, Alex couldn’t help feeling that Armstrong was wasting his breath with Marilynn Baxter. She was too cool to let anything slip. He would love to hear the sheriff’s interview with Craig Monroe, though. That should prove to be very interesting.

  As predicted, Marilynn’s time with the sheriff was brief, and from the look on Armstrong’s face, not all that productive.

  After she left in search of her husband, Armstrong said, “That woman missed her calling. She should have been a lawyer.” There was no admiration in his voice as he said it.

  “Maybe you’ll have more luck with her husband.”

  “I doubt it. By the time she’s through with him, I doubt I’ll be able to get him to admit his own name.”

  As predicted, by the time the sheriff got Craig in Alex’s office, the man was as silent as the nearby mountains. Armstrong shook his head sadly as Craig left the lobby.

  “Well, that was purely a waste of breath.”

  Alex asked, “What now?”

  “It’s time I talked with our lady woodworker. I’ve been putting it off, since Rachel blew up at me, but I’ve got to interview her. She’s strong as an ox, and I don’t relish making her any madder at me than she already is.”

  Alex smiled. “Just another benefit of being sheriff.”

  “I’d send you to get her if I thought she’d come, but I’ve got a feeling she isn’t exactly eager to talk to me.”

  A few minutes later, Rachel came back in with the sheriff. He’d been wrong about one thing; she was perfectly willing to talk to him. In fact, from the sound of it, Armstrong wasn’t going to be able to get a question in between the verbal attacks. Alex was truly glad he wasn’t in the sheriff’s shoes.

  Alex touched the woodworker’s shoulder lightly to say something when she grabbed his hand and pulled it off her. She was strong! When she saw that it was Alex, she immediately released her grip. “Sorry, I didn’t know it was you.”

  Alex fought the urge to rub the feeling back into his hand as he said, “Take it easy, Rachel. Sheriff Armstrong wants the same thing as you do, to find out who killed Jefferson Lee.”

  “Well it certainly wasn’t Bill.” she snapped.

  “So answer his questions and help him move on.”

  Rachel took a breath, then said. “Of course you’re right, Alex. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

  She turned to the sheriff and said, “Let’s get this over with. Aren’t you coming?”

  As she stepped into Alex’s office, Armstrong said, “Thanks.”

  “My pleasure.”

  After the door closed, Alex briskly rubbed the stiffness out of his hand. He’d had no idea looking at Rachel just how strong she was. An unwelcome thought crept into his mind. She would have had plenty of strength to drive that spear into Jefferson Lee’s chest. He had discounted the women up front, not thinking they had the physical power to accomplish it, but it was time to reconsider. Added to that was the fact that Jefferson Lee had been her boyfriend’s rival, intent on destroying the young blacksmith’s career. Had Rachel decided to take matters into her own hands? It was a possibility well worth considering.

  She was much meeker when she left Alex’s office, even offering him a nod and a slight smile as she walked past.

  Alex found Armstrong at his desk. “Have any luck?”

  The sheriff threw his hands up. “Nobody’s seen anything or done anything around here at all. They’re nothing but a bunch of innocent lambs.”

  “So where does that leave you?”

  Armstrong leaned back in Alex’s chair, and the seat protested. The sheriff said, “I’ve interviewed all my suspects out here. It’s time to catch up with Irene and see if she’s come up with anything.” As Alex walked him to the squad car, the sheriff said, “I’ll be in touch, Alex.” Getting into his car, he said awkwardly, “By the way, I was sorry to hear about Elise.”

  “She’s not gone forever, Sheriff. She was called away on a family emergency.”

  “Uh-huh,” the sheriff said quickly as he started the engine.

  After he was gone, Alex watched the trail of dust from the squad car as it sped down the lane. Why was everyone so quick to assume that Elise was gone for good?

  Were they jumping to conclusions, or did all of Elkton Falls know something that he didn’t?

  He went back into his office and saw something sparkling in one corner near the copier. Alex retrieved a bracelet, swung it on two fingers, then put it in his pocket. It looked familiar, and he was sure Elise must have dropped it when she’d been cleaning his office. It only made him realize more how much he missed her.

  But he couldn’t dwell on her departure. He had an inn to run, and as if that wasn’t enough, he’d promised Shantara he’d find the murderer.

  There just weren’t enough hours in a day.

  Chapter 9

  Alex was relieved when the fair was finally over for the evening, the crowds of visitors gone at last. One more day and it would be finished. A part of him regretted agreeing to let Shantara hold the fair at the inn, particularly during the Lighthouse Lighting festivities, but he knew in his heart that he’d honestly had no other choice. The lighting was scheduled for tomorrow night’s closing ceremonies, but for the first time since he’d taken over The Hatteras West Inn, he wasn’t eager to fire up the Fresnel lens. The murder had thrown a dark cloud over everything, and Alex wasn’t looking forward to hitting the switch at all.

  It didn’t help that Elise would miss it, too.

  It was stressful enough running Hatteras West by himself without the added traffic of visitors wandering through the inn during the day. He’d caught one woman actually trying to sneak out the front door with one of the lanterns displayed in the lobby just as the fair was shutting down for the day. She dropped the lantern when he’d caught her, shattering the glass in it. Alex had been so shocked by her actions that he’d just stood there as she raced out the door without her prize.

  It was the last straw. Alex cleaned up the mess, carefully searching the floor to make sure he hadn’t missed any errant pieces of glass. After he was certain he’d retrieved every last sliver, Alex posted a hastily scrawled sign on the front door that said Guests Only in bold, thick letters.

  Evans Graile, back from one of his rare forays into the world, shook his head when he saw the sign. “Not very welcoming, is it, Alex?”

  “Sorry, but this fair is driving me crazy.”

  Evans smiled gently. “Ah, but look what a spectacle it’s provided for me. I can’t remember the last time I saw so many people without ever having to leave my chair.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy,” Alex said as he adjusted the sign. He probably should have used something stronger to tack it in place; someone would probably walk off with his sign as a souvenir.

  Evans went on, “To be honest with you, it’s a real shame it’s all ending tomorrow night, Alex. I don’t know what I’ll do for entertainment after everyone else is gone.”

  Alex said, “We’ve got checkers, chess, books, hiking trails, Bear Rocks, and don’t forget the lighthouse itself.”

  Graile shook his head sadly. “I’m afraid most of those things are a little too strenuous for me, Alex. Besides, I like to watch. I’m not a big fan of actually participating.”

  Alex was saved from responding as Jenny hurried up to him. “Can we talk?”

  “Sure,” Alex said as he led her inside. Evans Graile was close on his tracks. That man wasn’t about to miss a thing!

  Much to the older man’s disappointment, Alex said, “Why don’t we talk in my office? I’m still going through a pile of mail I haven’t gotten around to yet.”

  “Anywhere is fine with me,” she agreed as they walked inside. Jenny made a point of closing the door behind her, and Alex was surprised when she slid the barrel lock in place as well.

  “What can I do for you?” he
asked.

  “You can start by forgiving me,” Jenny said as she stepped closer. “I know what you must think of me after the foolish way I acted earlier.”

  Alex took a step back. “There’s nothing to forgive. This murder has everybody out of sorts.”

  She said gently, “I still don’t know what got into me.” Jenny smiled slightly. “Alex, should I be offended you weren’t even tempted by my offer of reconciliation?”

  “No ma’am, that’s not it at all. Honestly, it’s got nothing to do with you,” Alex said.

  “You’re telling me that there’s not even the slightest chance of us going out again?”

  He hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings, but he obviously had. Alex said softly, “On a date? No, but I’d be happy to do something with you as a friend. I’m sorry.”

  Jenny said lightly, “Oh well. I suppose Elise must have something to do with it. She really is quite lovely, isn’t she?”

  “Jenny, there’s nothing going on between us. Our relationship is strictly business. Elise is on leave handling a family medical emergency. As soon as it resolves itself, she’ll be back at Hatteras West. Why is everyone—” His words were cut off by the telephone.

  “Excuse me,” Alex said as he answered, “The Hatteras West Inn.”

  “Hi Alex, it’s Elise. I just got in.”

  “It’s good to hear your voice. Can you hold on one second?” He covered the mouthpiece and told Jenny, “I’m sorry, but I need to take this.”

  Jenny nodded as she quietly left the room, closing the door behind her. As soon as she was gone, Alex bolted it. He wasn’t in the mood for any interruptions. “Sorry about that. So how’s your dad doing?”

  “He’s scared, Alex. It just about breaks my heart to see a man as strong as he is so afraid.”

  “How’s your mom holding up?”

  Elise laughed softly. “She’s already tried to feed me twice since I walked in the door. I swear, if I hang around here too long, I’m not going to be able to fit into any of my clothes. Any new developments on the murder?”

  “Nothing I’ve been able to pick up on. Armstrong’s playing this one pretty close to the vest. Listen, you shouldn’t be worrying about that, Elise. You’ve got enough on your mind.”

  “Believe me, I could use the distraction. This place is like a big empty cave without any guests.”

  Alex knew Elise’s parents ran an inn much like his own, with one important exception: there was no lighthouse on their property. “What happened to everybody?”

  “Mom canceled all our reservations until we get through this. There were only a few people scheduled, and they’ve all been staying here for years, so they understood. Alex, I know I need to be here, but I still feel guilty about leaving you like I did.”

  Alex started to say something when he heard a strong male voice in the background calling to her, “Elise, we need to go now!”

  “Emergency?” Alex asked, concerned.

  “Nothing like that, but I’d better say good-bye. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Keep me posted,” Alex said to dead air.

  The conversation with Elise had done nothing to ease his mind. It seemed like she’d barely thought of him since she’d left. That male voice in the background had to be her fiancé, Peter Asheford.

  Alex knew he had to stop feeling sorry for himself as he hung up the phone. Her father was going into major surgery. Of course she needed to be there with him. As for Peter Asheford, he had every right to be there as well. No matter how much he wished otherwise, Elise was engaged to another man. But he knew in his heart that she was coming back; Hatteras West had a hold on her.

  What Alex had to do was to stop listening to all the tongue wagging in Elkton Falls and get on with his life.

  After a sandwich and a glass of ice-cold milk, Alex decided to walk the grounds to see how badly they’d been trampled by all of the visitors to the fair. The heavy turnout was a real boon for Shantara, but it had been nothing short of a nightmare for him. Alex was beginning to envy Lucius Crane’s wisdom in refusing to hold the fair on his farm.

  The first thing that struck Alex as he walked the grounds was the unbelievable amount of litter. His once-pristine land was covered with the debris from the day: discarded wrappers, packages, soda cans, and the other flotsam and jetsam from the wave of people who had passed through.

  As he started to pick up the first piece of trash, he heard a car horn behind him. Shantara was leading a cavalcade of the worst collection of cars, trucks and vans he’d ever seen in his life.

  As she popped out of her station wagon, Shantara said, “Alex, that’s not your job. I’ve got my crew here. Sorry we’re late.”

  “I just couldn’t stand seeing my land like this.”

  As the young people filed out of their vehicles, Shantara said, “Don’t worry, Alex, we’ll have this mess cleaned up in no time. You’re in for a treat. These kids are good.” She turned to the gathered young men and women. “Okay, let’s jump on this. Get your trash bags from Emily, and drop them off at Byron’s truck when they’re full.” As the crew started toward the mess buzzing and laughing, Shantara called out to them, “Remember, recycle everything you can.”

  They fell on the fairground in a crashing wave, laughing and working as they moved through the grass like a horde of human vacuum cleaners.

  “What are you paying your crew?” he asked.

  “Minimum wage and pizza at Mama Ravolini’s as a bonus. They were happy to get the work.”

  Alex said, “From the look of this crowd, I’d say they’re going to break you with the pizza offer.”

  Shantara smiled. “Irma Bean’s giving me the pizzas at cost, and the kids only get the bonus if they work both days. I’ll do all right.” It was amazing how quickly the teens cleaned up after the fairgoers, though the trampled grass wouldn’t be as easy to restore.

  “Alex, don’t worry about the grass. I’ve got enough left in the budget to reseed this area,” Shantara said, reading his mind.

  “I’ve got it covered. I’d been planning to do it myself anyway. So, are you happy with the results of all your hard work?”

  “I guess so. Alex, one of the best reasons I came up with this idea was to expose people to the old ways of doing things. It wasn’t just a way to make money. There are skills that are being lost every day, and we’re not doing nearly enough to preserve them.”

  Alex said, “Easy, girl, it was just a question. You don’t have to convert me.”

  Shantara frowned. “It’s just so frustrating. I imagined people coming out here to see the demonstrations, to even try their hands at a few of the crafts themselves, and instead they’ve flocked here to see the murder scene! You want to hear something ghoulish? Jefferson Lee’s stuff sold like crazy as soon as everyone found out about the murder. He had a college girl working his booth, and she kept right on selling everything, even after he was dead!”

  “Did Jefferson have any family left? I didn’t know him all that well.”

  “There’s a sister in Hickory; she’ll be coming tomorrow. Callie told me she wasn’t all that surprised when she found out her brother had been killed.”

  Alex said, “From what I’ve been hearing lately, I can’t say I’m all that surprised, either.” Alex shook himself. “Don’t mind me, I’m out of sorts tonight for some reason.”

  “It’s got to be hard on you, with Elise gone.”

  Alex exploded. “Why does everyone think she’s gone for good? She’s visiting her parents on a medical emergency! Shantara, I swear to you, she’s coming back to Hatteras West!”

  She looked startled by his outburst. “Easy, Alex, I just meant it had to be tough on you running the inn by yourself until she gets back.”

  He laughed softly. “Sorry, it’s just that everyone I’ve talked to today has made it sound like she’s gone forever. You wouldn’t believe Jenny Harris. She wants us to start dating again.”

  Shantara said disdainfully, “It doesn’t s
urprise me in the least. I know you two used to go out, Alex, but you’re better off without her.”

  “It sounds like you’re a little jealous yourself,” he said, smiling.

  She laughed just a little too loud and too long for Alex’s ego to take.

  He said gruffly, “Okay, you made your point.”

  “Nothing personal, Alex, but you’re not my type.”

  “And just what is your type?”

  She pretended to think about it a minute, then said, “Let’s see, he’s got to be strong, handsome, rich, don’t forget a good sense of humor—”

  Alex cut her off. “You’re not asking for much, are you? And you think you’re going to meet this Prince Charming in Elkton Falls?”

  “Where there’s breath, there’s hope,” Shantara said with a twinkle in her eye.

  A young girl with a long ponytail poking out the back of her baseball cap said, “We’re done here, Shantara. The gang wanted me to ask you if there was any chance we could get an early start on that pizza party.”

  “Sorry, Emily, you know the deal; no pizza until the end of the fair, and that’s not until tomorrow night.”

  Emily winked at her and whispered, “I told them that’s what you’d say, but the boys insisted I ask anyway.”

  “I understand completely.”

  After the kids poured back into their cars, Alex had to admit the place did look a thousand percent better than it had before they’d arrived.

  He only wished the fair was over now, instead of having to go through it all again tomorrow.

  Alex patted Shantara’s shoulder gently and asked, “Would you like to come in? I’ve got a bottle of wine and two comfortable chairs just calling our names.”

  “Don’t tempt me. If I did that, I’d never make it home.”

  “We had a cancellation, so I’ve got a spare room, if you’re interested. You’re welcome to stay at the inn tonight.”

  “No offense, Alex, but I need to get away from Hatteras West for a little while.”

  “Not a problem,” he said.

  Alex was walking Shantara to her car when there was a frantic wail from the front porch as the door slammed.