Murder Checks Inn

by Tim Myers

  “Good night,” Alex said.

  He was surprised when Ashley didn’t follow her brother up the stairs. Instead, she walked down and joined him near the desk. If she was indeed so worried about Steven, why hadn’t she followed him back to his room?

  It was clear there was something on her mind, but Alex wasn’t sure he cared what it was at that moment. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would come early enough.

  He said, “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll say good night now.”

  She touched his arm lightly. “Alex, I’m concerned about Steven. He hasn’t been acting irrationally around you, has he?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Ashley said, “I’m afraid he’s going to hurt himself. He’s been depressed lately, and with your uncle’s death, I’m afraid it’s pushing him off the deep end.”

  Alex said, “He seems fine to me.”

  Ashley nodded, then said, “Steven’s a master at disguising how he feels, but believe me, he’s in real pain. I just wish he would listen to me and get help before it’s too late.”

  “You’re that concerned about him? What does your mother think?”

  Ashley shook her head. “Mother has a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to her youngest. She thinks the sun rises and sets by her precious baby boy.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Ashley. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

  She touched his arm lightly. “Thanks, Alex, I’ll do that. Just keep an eye on him, could you do that for me please?”

  Alex stifled a yawn, then said, “I’ll do what I can. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day.”

  “Forgive me for keeping you up, Alex. Do you mind if I go through your bookshelves and find something to read? I can’t fall asleep without reading.”

  He said, “Help yourself. I’ve got everything from poetry to mysteries to short story anthologies to history to biographies.”

  She smiled. “Surely I’ll be able to find something with all that available. Good night, Alex. And thanks. I feel better just talking to someone about my brother.”

  “Happy to help.”

  As Alex got ready for bed, he wondered if it could be true that Steven was so depressed. The man hadn’t acted like it since he’d been at the inn, but what did that prove? Alex knew it could go well beyond the surface, and Ashley did seem genuinely concerned about her brother. Should he keep an eye on Steven, try to make sure he didn’t do anything rash? No, as much as Alex would like to think that he was lord and master of the Hatteras West Inn, he knew that he couldn’t protect everyone there, especially from themselves. All he could do was be the best host he could, giving his guests every opportunity to have an enjoyable time at the inn. After that, it was up to them.

  Alex took out the three items he’d brought with him from Jase’s house. Putting the box aside for a moment, Alex leafed through the papers tucked neatly in Jase’s folder, wondering if there was some clue to the man’s death hidden inside. There were bills, neatly organized by when payments were due, a few credit card receipts, and a handful of letters waiting to be answered, but no sign of any legal documents at all. Alex grew excited as he skimmed through the envelopes, hoping to find one with a torn flap, but all had been neatly slit open with a letter opener. From a quick glance at the contents, there was nothing of interest there, and Alex felt like a voyeur going through his uncle’s personal papers. Alex picked up the book he’d taken off Jase’s nightstand, opened it to the introduction and started to read. His gaze kept drifting back to the collectibles box, and Alex could resist the temptation no more. He spread out his uncle’s treasures on the bed in front of him, finding a few new stones he’d never seen before, a tie clip with a chip of gold embedded in it and a folded note at the bottom of the box.

  It startled him to find his own name printed on the front of the paper, and with trembling hands, he opened it. It was short, simple, and to the point. In Jase’s handwriting, it said, “Alex, enjoy these as I have. My treasures are now yours. Jase.”

  A soft sob escaped Alex’s lips as he folded the note back up and returned it to the bottom of the box. It was too soon to take it all in. Alex put the collection back in the box, then slid it, along with the books and the folder, under the edge of his bed. He was too tired to find a spot for them on his crowded nightstand tonight.

  Just before he turned out the light, Alex glanced at the clock by his bed and saw that it was nearing midnight. There was no sign of Elise and Peter. He was still wondering what that meant as he drifted off to sleep.

  “Hey, Alex, got a second?”

  Alex had been signing checks and paying bills the following morning, and any interruption was a welcome one.

  Even from his brother.

  “Come on in, Tony,” he said as he closed his checkbook. There was no way he wanted his brother to see the details of his finances.

  Tony sat across from him and said, “Listen, I’ve been feeling a little guilty about the way this has all played out. Jase was wrong to give me all that money. I’d like you to at least have some of it.”

  Alex shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to pass.”

  “You’re too proud for your own good, Alex.” Tony took a deep breath, then said, “Listen, I grew up here, too. I know what it takes to run this place. You’re just barely scraping by; don’t try to deny it.”

  Alex said, “I’m doing well enough. You don’t understand, Tony, it’s truly not a matter of pride.” Alex paused a second, then added, “Well, not entirely. The thing is, I’m getting exactly what Jase wanted me to have; no more, no less.”

  “You’re as stubborn as Dad ever was,” Tony said in disgust.

  “Said the kettle to the pot,” Alex answered with a smile.

  Tony laughed. “Yeah, I guess you’ve got me there. Okay, let’s forget we ever had this conversation.”

  “Are you kidding? My brother offers to part with some of his money, and you expect me to forget it? Not on your life.”

  Tony nodded, then said seriously, “Alex, I thought I should let you know, I’m leaving tomorrow morning. This place,” he gestured with a sweep of his hand to take in all of Hatteras West, “it just doesn’t have anything for me anymore.”

  Alex admitted, “I didn’t figure I’d ever see you back here again.”

  Tony shrugged. “You were the one in love with the lighthouse, not me. I outgrew Elkton Falls a long time ago, and this place, too.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way,” Alex said softly.

  “Hey, no offense intended,” Tony said.

  “None taken. We chose different paths, that’s all.”

  Tony stood and stretched. “Well, I just wanted to clear that up.”

  “Consider it done,” Alex said as he watched his brother leave. The offer of sharing Jase’s money had startled Alex,

  truth be told. Maybe he’d been wrong about his brother. Perhaps Tony had grown some in the years since they’d talked last.

  There was a knock on the door, and Mor walked in. “Is this a bad time?”

  “There don’t seem to be many good ones lately, so come on in,” Alex said.

  Mor started to edge out of the office. “We’ll catch up later.”

  Alex stood. “Listen, I’m sorry. I’m just having a hard time with all that’s been going on around here the past few days.”

  Mor said, “I just came by to see if you wanted to go get Jase’s stuff, but we can do it another time.”

  Alex looked at the latest bills still to pay, then said, “Now’s as good a time as any. Let me tell Elise, then we can go.”

  Alex found Elise starting her rounds upstairs. “I need an hour or two in town. Can you cover here?”

  Elise said, “Absolutely. Are you getting things set up for tonight?”

  “No, Jase took care of all the arrangements before he died. It’s weird, almost as if he knew something was going to happen.”

  Elise said, “Alex, he w
asn’t a young man.”

  “He was still too young to die,” Alex replied.

  “I didn’t mean anything by it, Alex, just that he wanted to be ready.”

  Alex nodded. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Listen, if you need me for anything, Mor’s going to help me pack up Jase’s things at his cottage.”

  Elise said, “I wish I could help, but somebody has to be here for our guests.”

  “Thanks anyway,” he said as he left her in the hallway.

  Downstairs, Mor asked, “Is everything okay?”

  “No, but it will be,” Alex said as they walked out of Hatteras West.

  Chapter 10

  “So how’s your life going?” Alex asked Mor as they loaded up another box of books. “Have you made up your mind about what you’re going to do with Les’s offer?”

  “Not yet,” Mor said. With a grin, he added, “I’m kind of hoping if I put it off long enough, Les will change his mind.” “Any chance of that happening?” Mor shook his head. “I don’t think so. The man’s in love. He’s leaving, and I’m tired of trying to convince him to stay” Mor taped up the box he was working on, then picked it up. Alex grabbed another box, and the two men walked out to Mor’s truck. Alex had wondered if he should have brought his truck as well, but Mor convinced him that they could get everything into the back of his long-bed pickup.

  Sadly, it looked like there was going to be room left over. Mor said, “How are you holding up?” “It’s tough, I won’t deny it, but I’m finally starting to accept the fact that Jase is gone.”

  Mor nodded. “Elise’s fiancé picked a bang-up time to come to town, didn’t he? That can’t be helping matters.”

  Alex said stiffly, “It’s none of my business. I figured he’d be here sooner or later.”

  “Come on, Alex, this is your old buddy you’re talking to. I know it’s killing you to see her with somebody else.”

  Alex said, “I’ll get over it. She made her choice a long time ago, and I’m just going to have to live with it.”

  “Did she, though? Elise didn’t know you when she said yes to him.”

  Alex said, “I’ve got to face facts and get on with my life. Elise and I just weren’t meant to be.”

  As the two men walked back inside, Mor nodded as he surveyed the cottage’s small rooms. “That looks to be the last of Jase’s personal stuff in here. Alex, should we head over to the law office and do the job right, or do you want to save it for another day?”

  “Let’s just get it over with. If you don’t mind, why don’t you go ahead and get in the truck? I’ll be out in a bit. I just need a minute or two alone.”

  “Take your time,” Mor said. “I decided to take the whole morning off. I figure I won’t get the chance after Les retires. If I buy him out, that is.”

  After his friend was gone, Alex walked around the cottage alone, trying to capture the last essence of his uncle there. It was odd, but with the books gone and Jase’s clothes sent off to the Salvation Army, the place was just an empty shell, not the home Jase had made for himself. There was nothing of the man left there. Alex wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but there was no trace of Jase’s quick laugh or his bright smile in the walls around him. The essence of his uncle, what made him special, was long gone in one sense, and in another very real way buried deep in Alex’s heart.

  There was nothing left behind to savor, to grasp, to love.

  Peter was welcome to all that was left behind.

  It was quick work packing the few personal things of Jase’s in his office. Sandra had agreed to take care of the law books and his pending files, a dealer was taking all the furniture on consignment, and what little was left fit into three packing boxes.

  Nadine hovered over them as they worked. As Mor carried a box downstairs, Alex finished packing up the last bits of his uncle’s life and found the companion book to The Treasure Below, Treasure in the Hills, on his desktop. Alex added it to his stack as Nadine said, “I swear I meant to do this myself. I just didn’t realize you’d want it done so quickly.”

  Alex said, “I don’t mind, Nadine. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m surprised you’re still here. I can’t pay you anything for your work. I wish I could.”

  Nadine said, “Your brother’s taken care of it till the end of the week, Alex. He said it was the least he could do.”

  Alex nodded. So Tony had done the right thing after all. “That was good of him. You know I would have done it myself, but...”

  Nadine touched his shoulder lightly. “Alex, you don’t have to explain anything to me. I knew what Jase was going to do, though I tried to talk him out of it till I was blue in the face. He said his books would mean more to you than any stocks or bonds ever could. I’m afraid he might have seen your construction out there as a sign that you were doing well enough on your own financially.” She paused, then said, “You know how worried he was about your brother.”

  “No, I didn’t know anything about that. What are you talking about, Nadine?”

  She looked flustered. “Oh, dear. I’m afraid I’ve already said too much.”

  Alex wasn’t about to let it go that easily. “Not enough, in my opinion. What’s going on?”

  “Alex, I really shouldn’t say.”

  He was in no mood for games. “Then I’ll just have to ask Tony myself.”

  “No, you can’t do that,” she pleaded.

  “One way or the other, I’m going to find out.”

  Nadine nodded. “I know you, Alex, you’re like a dog with an old bone when you’re trying to get to the truth about something. All right, I’ll tell you, but you must swear never to let your brother know you’re aware of his situation. Tony’s in trouble financially. He came to Jase a few months ago and asked him for a loan. Your uncle gave him something, but Tony kept saying it wasn’t enough. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but the two of them had words. The walls here aren’t that thick.”

  “Why didn’t he come to me if he was in trouble?”

  “Alex, Tony knew you couldn’t give him the kind of help he needed. From what I gathered before, Jase’s inheritance will just barely get him out of trouble. That’s why he got so much of the stock.” She looked as if she was going to cry. “Oh Alex, please don’t tell him I told you about this. Your brother has a lot of pride, more than is good for him, I’ll wager.”

  “I won’t say a word,” Alex promised.

  Nadine said, “I’ve got to get some fresh air,” as she dabbed at her cheeks. “If you wouldn’t mind, could you lock up when you leave?”

  As soon as Alex was alone, he walked to the safe where Jase’s body was found. There was no chalk outline on the floor, just a single stain on the carpet where he’d died.

  A horrible thought suddenly struck Alex.

  What if they were all on the wrong track about Jase’s murder?

  What if Mathias’s will wasn’t the real reason Jase had been killed? Was it possible, the unthinkable thought floating around in his mind? Could Jase’s murder have been committed because of greed closer to home? He couldn’t imagine Tony actually murdering their uncle, but Nadine had said he was in dire financial trouble, and people had killed for a lot less than a hundred thousand dollars.

  As much as he hated to admit it, Alex realized that if he looked at his uncle’s murder objectively, Tony had to be considered a suspect.

  “Hey Alex, are you all right?”

  Alex looked up from the box he’d been staring at to find Mor a few feet away. He’d been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t even heard his friend come back in. “Sorry, I must have zoned out.”

  “You’re entitled to, buddy. This has got to be hard for you.” Mor looked around the room. “So what happens to all this? Do we pack it all?”

  “Sandra’s handling the cases Jase was working on, except where they were going against each other, so she’s getting a lot of the files. A lawyer from Hickory’s coming over to handle the rest. He hinted to Sandra that
he might be interested in buying the entire practice.”

  “So you might see something out of this after all?” Mor asked.

  “From all accounts, there’s not much to buy. Jase ran this law office as a hobby more than anything else. I’m glad he did; he was happiest when he was working on a case. I’ve got his personal books. That’s all I care about.”

  Mor said, “I understand how you feel, but you’ve got to be pragmatic, too. I know what Hatteras West costs you to operate. If this guy makes an offer, I’d get what I could out of it.”

  “We’ll worry about that when the time comes.” He looked around once more, then said, “Let’s go. There’s nothing else here for me.”

  As they stowed the last box in the truck, Mor said, “Well, that’s one way to burn a morning. Let’s go over to Buck’s and grab some lunch.”

  Alex said, “I don’t know if I should. I’ve left Elise alone all morning.”

  “So what’s another half hour going to hurt?” Mor hesitated, then said, “Tell you what, I’ll even buy. You’re not going to get a better deal than that. What do you say?”

  “I say we go before you change your mind,” Alex said. “Why don’t we walk over? It’s a pretty day, and I could use the fresh air.”

  “Why not,” Mor agreed, so they headed over to Buck’s on foot.

  Buck’s Grill was jammed, nearly overflowing with the noonday crowd. Sally Anne, Buck’s daughter, barely had time to nod toward them as she hustled past with a tray heavily loaded with food.

  Irene Wilkins, the beautician/criminologist, called them over to her booth. “Would you two gentlemen care to share a table with me? It’s the only way you’ll eat sitting down today.”

  Alex slid in beside her and said, “Now how can we turn down such a gracious offer? But Irene, are you sure your reputation can handle being seen with the two of us?”

  Mor winked at her as he added, “I’m not sure anyone’s name could survive that particular blow. Just don’t tell Emma about this when she gets back. She has a tendency to get jealous when I pay too much attention to another woman.”