Murder Checks Inn Page 3

  She looked down at her feet. “I don’t want to intrude. You just lost your uncle. I imagine you probably want to be alone, Mr. Winston.”

  He shook his head. “Call me Alex. I thought solitude was what I wanted, but to be honest with you, I wouldn’t mind a little company right now.” Alex surprised himself as he said it, realizing it was true. There was something about this young woman, a steel band behind the calm exterior that appealed to him.

  “Are you sure?” she asked gently.

  “I’m positive. You are welcome here,” Alex said as he moved back to the rail and leaned against it, looking again toward the Blue Ridge Mountains, taking in the majesty of it all. It was a view he could never grow tired of.

  Julie joined him and gasped as she glimpsed the vista for the first time. “This place is awesome. I can’t believe I never heard of it before.”

  “You can thank my wonderful public relations efforts for that,” Alex said. “We’re North Carolina’s best kept secret,” he added with a smile.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean—.”

  Alex cut her off. “I was just teasing. As long as we have enough guests to break even, I’m a happy man.” Alex paused, then added, “This can’t be an easy time for you, either, having the Trasks turn on you like that.”

  Julie stared at the mountains a few moments before speaking. “You know, it was always just my mom when I was growing up, and when I lost her last year, I felt cut off from the rest of the world, like I wasn’t really connected to anybody else. It sounds crazy, doesn’t it?”

  Alex shook his head as he said, “When I lost my folks, I felt like I’d been cut adrift. I’ve got a brother I don’t really know, so Jase was all that was left of what I considered my real family. For the first time in my life, I feel like there’s just me.”

  Julie moved closer, though still not touching him, and

  Alex felt warmed by her presence. “So you do know how I feel. When your uncle’s letter came, the first thing I thought of was that I wasn’t alone anymore. I wanted to introduce myself to the Trasks right away, but Sandra said I should wait.” A tear crept down her cheek as she added, “It wasn’t the family reunion I’d been hoping for. Alex, I don’t care about the money or anything else my father might have left me. I wanted him, something I never had growing up. But the Trasks just think I’m trying to steal something that I’m not entitled to.” Alex watched as she battled her emotions.

  It was an easy motion to put his arm around Julie, and she buried her head in his chest and cried.

  Alex said softly, “Don’t give up on them. I think Steven might come around. You just may have to give them all some time. I’m sure it was quite a shock for them.”

  Julie pulled back, wiping the tears from her face. As she leaned up to kiss him on the cheek, Alex heard a footfall on the stairwell and looked up in time to find Elise there.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said.

  Julie blushed, adding to whatever Elise imagined she saw. Then Alex suddenly realized he had nothing to explain, nothing to feel guilty about. After all, Elise was the one who was engaged to somebody else. Though they’d shared many meals together, they’d never even been on a real date.

  So why did he feel so guilty?

  Julie said, “I was just leaving. Thanks for the talk, Alex, it did me a world of good.”

  “You’re more than welcome.”

  Elise didn’t follow Julie down but instead lingered at the top of the observation platform, as if waiting for him.

  He was surprised to find himself explaining, “She was crying, so I offered her what comfort I could.”

  Elise shook her head. “That’s not why I came looking for you. Alex, there’s something I need to tell you. I’m sorry about the timing, but I can’t do anything about it.”

  “You’re leaving, aren’t you,” he said woodenly. The thought had been constantly in the back of his mind since Elise had first come to Hatteras West. She was more qualified than he was to run the inn, with her degree in hotel management from a major university. It was just a matter of time before she got bored with the drudge work at Hatteras West.

  She looked genuinely surprised by the notion. “No, I’ll stay here as long as you want me. I thought you knew that. I love this place.”

  Alex couldn’t hide the relief that swept through him. “So what’s on your mind?”

  Elise bit her lip, then said, “It’s Peter Asheford. He’s coming to Elkton Falls.”

  Alex felt a wrenching in his gut. He’d always hoped that as long as Elise and Peter stayed apart, there might be a chance for him someday. It looked like that chance was gone.

  “How can he do that? I thought he ran some great company he owned and couldn’t afford to leave it.”

  Elise said, “It was just a toy for him, and he got bored with it, so he sold the business. Peter’s family has serious money, Alex.”

  An unpleasant thought struck him. “Is he staying with us at the inn when he comes?”

  She shook her head. “You don’t understand. Alex, he’s not visiting. Peter is moving to Elkton Falls to be closer to me.” She held his gaze a moment, then added, “I just thought it was something you should know.”

  Before Alex could say another word, Elise left him alone on the observation deck with nothing but his thoughts. Just when he thought life couldn’t get any more complicated, it had managed to throw him another curve, and this one was a real dinger.

  Elise had originally moved to Elkton Falls to get away from her job and her fiancé, to find time to decide what she really wanted out of life. A part of him had been hoping the new plan would include him.

  But with Peter Asheford on the scene again, Alex realized that was probably never going to happen. Most likely, Peter would persuade her to leave, and that would be the end of that.

  It was time to move on with his life. Alex knew he couldn’t wait around for Elise forever. He’d have to accept the fact that they’d most likely be nothing more than friends. Besides, romance should be the last thing on his mind at the moment. He had a murderer to catch, and Alex had a sneaking suspicion that the killer was lurking somewhere near Hatteras West.

  Chapter 4

  “The place looks great,” Tony said as he walked into the lobby of the Dual Keepers’ Quarters the next day, the only part of the inn fit for guests at the moment. “I can’t believe you’re rebuilding the main quarters. It must be costing you a fortune.”

  Alex looked at his brother and smiled. “There are more things in life than money, Tony. It’s really important to me to restore the place to all its glory.”

  “And you actually got someone to loan you the money for the reconstruction? I know your insurance couldn’t have covered all you lost in the fire. Smiley O’Reilly is still using actuarial charts from the 1950s.”

  Alex couldn’t deny that. The money from his insurance policy had barely covered some of the new furniture he’d needed, but Alex wasn’t about to admit to his brother that there was the possibility of an emerald-rich vein somewhere on the property. He knew what Tony’s reaction would be without even asking; dump the inn and sell the land for all he could get. He’d never felt the pull Alex did for Hatteras West.

  Tony looked out the nearest window and said, “Some homeless guy’s out there, Alex. You really should run him off before he drives your guests away.”

  Alex laughed. “That’s my arborist. His name is Vernum, and he’s a whiz at landscaping, too.”

  “You never could resist taking in strays, could you? You’re just as soft as Mom was.”

  “Thanks, that’s nice of you to say,” Alex replied, intentionally misinterpreting the jab in the comment.

  Elise walked in with an armful of fresh towels. She put them on one corner of the check-in desk as Tony moved toward her. “You must be Elise Danton. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” For a second, Alex thought Tony was going to kiss her hand, but he somehow m
anaged to restrain himself.

  Elise smiled lightly. “It’s nice meeting you, Tony.”

  Tony said smoothly, “Alex was just going to show me to my room, but if you’ve got a second, I’d much rather have you take me.”

  Elise retrieved the towels, then said levelly, “I think you should go with Alex. I know you two have a lot to discuss.”

  Alex tried to hide his smile. Sometimes he forgot how stunning Elise was, with her long chestnut hair and gentle green eyes. She was an old hand at rebuffing advances, and she’d sized Tony up in a heartbeat.

  As she walked away, Tony said, “I’m starting to see why the inn life is so appealing to you, Alex.”

  Alex brushed his brother’s comment off with a wave of his hand. “You’re out of your league, Tony. Her fiancé’s just moved to Elkton Falls, and he’s got more money and charm than either one of us will ever manage in a lifetime.”

  Tony smiled broadly. “Ah, but she’s not married yet, now is she? You know how I love a challenge. I’m not giving up that easily.”

  “You never did,” Alex said, shaking his head. Some things never changed, and his brother was at the top of the list. There was no denying Tony could be charming when it suited him, but he doubted his brother could make an impression on Elise. It might even be fun to watch, Alex thought as he showed his brother to his room. Though Tony knew the place as well as Alex did, the innkeeper’s instinct in him demanded he escort his brother.

  Alex asked, “Do you want to get settled first, or should we go into town and take care of the arrangements for Jase’s funeral now?”

  “I didn’t think you could leave the inn,” Tony said as he started unpacking his bag.

  Alex said, “Elise can handle things while I’m gone. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to get this over with as quickly as we can.”

  Tony agreed. “It’s probably the best thing to do. Uncle Jase never was fond of drawing things out. Let me grab a quick shower, and I’ll be ready to go in twenty minutes.”

  “I’ll meet you in my office downstairs. I’ve got some work I need to do before we go.”

  Tony smiled. “That’s my little brother, ever diligent. See you soon.”

  Before Alex could get within a hundred feet of his office, Cynthia Shays-Trask cornered him in the lobby “Mr. Winston, I need to speak with you. It’s rather urgent.”

  “What can I do for you, Ms. Trask?”

  “I don’t know how to put this delicately, but this is the time for boldness. I saw you with your arms around that imposter at the top of your odd little lighthouse earlier today, and I want you to know that I won’t stand for any foolishness from you butting into my family’s business. Do you understand me?”

  If there was one thing Alex was generally good at, it was dealing with people. He had learned long ago that there were as many types of guests at Hatteras West as there were people in the outside world. Some thrived on rudeness, even seemed to demand it in return, while others had to be soothed and coddled over the course of their entire stay, calling for attention relentlessly. Others came up with the oddest requests, expecting—no, demanding—that they be met or the world would end. One of the first skills Alex had acquired as an innkeeper was how to handle just about everyone who passed through his doors.

  With Cynthia Shays-Trask, he didn’t really care which group she belonged to; all he knew was that she could have had something to do with his uncle’s death.

  “What I do here at Hatteras West is my business,” he said briskly, trying to skate past her.

  “When it concerns my family, it becomes my business,” she said forcefully.

  Alex said, “You heard Sandra; Julie is a part of your family now. Your son and daughter have a half sister, whether any of you have the decency to acknowledge it or not.”

  Cynthia’s eyes flared. “So you don’t deny it? You are in league with that tart?”

  Alex said flatly, “The only thing I care about is who killed my uncle. Not that it’s any of your business, but Julie needed someone to talk to today, and I happily obliged. I don’t have the slightest interest in getting involved in your family’s problems. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do.”

  Alex tried to get around her, but Cynthia put a hand lightly on his arm. There was a look of repentance on her face, though Alex couldn’t help wondering if it was rehearsed. There was even something that rang false about the woman’s indignation.

  “Alex, forgive my outburst. I forgot how you must be grieving. It’s just that when my children’s welfare is at stake, I can be a bit of a mother bear. Again, please forgive me.

  “There’s nothing to forgive,” Alex said, trying to keep his tone level. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really must get to work. I’ve got a funeral to plan.”

  Was that a glimmer of real guilt peeking through Cynthia’s carefully constructed facade? It happened too quickly to tell, gone as fast as it had appeared. She said, “I am truly sorry for your loss.”

  “Thanks,” Alex muttered as he finally escaped and headed for the refuge of his tiny office.

  Alex found Mor Pendleton sitting behind his desk, his feet propped up on top of a stack of paperwork and leaning back in his chair.

  Mor stood up abruptly when Alex came in. “Sorry to hear about Jase. Anything I can do?”

  Alex said, “Thanks, but Tony’s helping me with everything. He’s up in room ten now, unpacking.”

  “And how is he? I was surprised when I saw him in town last week. At least I thought it was him.” There was still a hint of steel in Mor’s voice whenever he talked about Tony.

  “He’s the same as always, but you’ve got to be wrong about Tony being in Elkton Falls. It would take an act of Congress to get him back here. I’m just sorry it took Jase’s murder. Enough of that. How’s bachelor life treating you now that Emma has deserted you?” Mor had been dating Alex’s resident gem hunter, Emma Sturbridge, since she’d moved to town. They’d come close to breaking it off earlier but had somehow managed to patch things back together well enough to continue their relationship.

  “Emma called yesterday. She got to Georgia just fine. Why she has to go prospecting for gold all the way over there when we’ve got gold in North Carolina is beyond me. That lady’s actions defy all logic. I just don’t understand women.”

  Alex smiled slightly. “Well, if you ever do, be sure to share your wisdom with me.”

  Mor laughed. “You’ll be the second to know.” His expression turned somber as he asked, “You want me to call her back home, what with all that’s going on here?”

  As comforting as it would be to have Emma Sturbridge nearby, Alex decided it wouldn’t be fair to bring her back from her first vacation since she’d moved to Elkton Falls. “No, I’ll be okay.”

  Mor glanced at his watch. “Just thought I’d ask. Well, I’d better take off. Les wants to talk about something over lunch. It’s got to be serious; he even offered to pay.” Lester Williamson was the other half of Mor or Les, the handyman duo that kept Elkton Falls up and running.

  Alex asked, “You sure you aren’t just ducking out before Tony gets downstairs?”

  Mor grinned. “That, too.” The smile disappeared as he added, “Listen, if there’s anything I can do, you just let me know.” He hugged Alex fiercely, then released him just as quickly. It was the way of the true Southern men he knew, mostly uncomfortable with embraces, but offering them when they were needed. Mor was one of the small circle of Alex’s true friends, someone he could call at three a.m. and know that the man would come running without a single question why.

  Just like a real brother should do.

  Alex was still staring at the papers spread out on his desk, not really seeing them, as he was lost in his thoughts of Jase, when Tony walked in.

  “This can wait if you’ve got work to do, Alex. Believe me, I know what it’s like to be stuck behind a wall of paperwork.”

  Alex looked up and said, “No, we need to take care of this
today. Sandra’s expecting us at her office, and we’ve got to swing by the funeral home, too.”

  Outside, Alex headed for his old Ford pickup, but Tony pointed to his BMW. “Why don’t we take my car? To be honest with you, I’m not sure I want to ride around in that truck of yours.”

  Alex reluctantly slid into the passenger seat of the silver sportster. It was close enough to Sandra’s to be its twin, and he marveled that she’d ever ended up dating him instead of his older brother. Truth be told, the two of them had a lot more in common than she and Alex ever had.

  Tony said, “Now this is what I call a smooth ride. It beats that old jalopy of yours, doesn’t it?”

  Alex said, “It’s never let me down yet, and my truck’s got real character.” He’d promised himself to do his best to get along with Tony, no matter what.

  Tony held up one hand. “Just kidding. I haven’t seen old man Crassey in years. I guess he’ll be handling the funeral arrangements. He’s the only man I ever knew who owned six black suits.”

  “You haven’t heard? Jack’s running the mortuary now, Tony.”

  “So the old man finally retired and let his son take over. Did Crassey move to Florida like he’d always threatened to?”

  Alex shook his head sadly. “Nothing as happy as all that. He died two years ago in a car wreck. I fired up the Fresnel lens for him the night of the funeral just long enough to keep from getting into trouble with the town council. A lot of the older town residents still think of it as a sign of respect.”

  “It’s too bad the old guy didn’t make it to live out his dream. I always liked him. Well, here we are.”

  They parked in front of Sandra’s law office, a quaint old house with gingerbread trim and scalloped shingles painted in Victorian hues. The building was right on Main Street, down a block from Shantara’s General Store and across the road from Irene’s beauty parlor. To Dye For was painted a bright shade of neon blue, in stark contrast with Sandra’s more traditional color choices.