by Tim Myers
Alex nodded. “I’m dreading the debate.”
Grady slapped him on the back. “That’s when I expect to see the most fireworks. I’m introducing them both next week at the debate, then I’m getting off the stage before they light into each other.” He glanced at his watch as he added, “Well, sir, I’ve got to go. Oh, by the way, did you hear we postponed our ‘Save the Bridge’ meeting until after the election?”
“How’s the fund-raising going?” Alex asked.
“Oh, slow but steady. Folks don’t want to give much to the cause. I’ve been hitting up some of our local businesses, but so far it’s just trickling in. Don’t worry though, we’ll see that old bridge repaired sooner or later, I promise you that.”
“I didn’t think you made campaign promises,” Alex said, teasing.
“In this case, I’ll make an exception. See you around, Alex.”
An hour later Mor came in as Alex was putting his broom away, and from the look on the big man’s face, something new had gone very desperately wrong.
Chapter 9
“What is it?” Alex asked, dreading to hear the answer to his question.
“It’s Emma. She just turned herself in for killing her ex- husband.”
The broom in Alex’s hand fell to the floor, sending a crashing echo through the lobby.
“I can’t believe that.”
Mor said, “You can’t? How about me? I’m in shock.”
Alex said, “Tell me what happened.”
Mor walked over to one of the tables set up for backgammon, a game he and Alex often enjoyed playing together. Neither one of them was in any mood for games at the moment, though.
Mor pushed the game aside and said, “Last night we had a long, drawn-out discussion about this whole thing, mostly about Toby just popping up like he did. Well, I got mad at her for not telling me about it when he first came to town.” Mor looked at his hands folded in front of him, then added meekly, “I lost my temper and stormed out. Turns out she knew the guy was going to come around before he even stepped foot in Elkton Falls; she just didn’t know when. You know me, I have a tendency to fly off the handle when it comes to Emma. The next thing I know, Sandra’s calling me this morning and telling me Emma’s in jail.”
“I still can’t believe it,” Alex said.
“You’ve got to do something, Alex. I know she couldn’t have killed him. I don’t have any proof, but it’s clear in my heart that she’s innocent.”
Alex studied the big man before speaking. He hated seeing his friend in such torment. “I want to help, but what can I do, Mor?”
“Talk to her. Convince her she’s not helping anybody by pulling this stunt.”
Alex said, “She’ll listen to you better than she would to me, Mor.”
The handyman shook his head, and Alex could see he was as close to tears as he’d been in ages. “That’s just it. She won’t see me.”
Alex nodded. “I’ll do what I can.”
Mor struggled with his thanks, then hurriedly left the inn.
Alex went in search of Elise to tell her the news. As he hunted for the housekeeper, he couldn’t help wondering if it was possible that Emma’s confession was legitimate. He knew Toby Sturbridge had terrorized her during their marriage; Emma had confessed that much to him on several occasions. But could she have killed him? No, he wouldn’t believe it if she told him herself.
Alex found Elise finishing up her rooms in Dual.
“I need a huge favor,” Alex said.
Elise replied, “I’ve seen that look in your eyes before. You’re going to meddle in this business with Oxford Hitchcock, aren’t you?”
Alex shook his head. “Absolutely not, I’m staying clear of that one. Mor just came in and told me Emma’s confessed to Toby Sturbridge’s murder.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Elise snapped.
“I think so too, but she’s locked up over at the jail now, and she’s refused to see Mor.”
“Go talk to her, Alex. I can handle things here.” He smiled gently. “Thanks, Elise. I appreciate it.”
“She’s my friend too, Alex. Tell her I’ll be by later to see her myself.”
“Sheriff, you can’t keep her locked away from everybody who cares about her,” Alex said, fighting to keep his voice steady. He’d been battling Armstrong for ten minutes, trying to get the sheriff to allow him in to see Emma.
“Alex, I keep telling you, I can’t do anything about it. She’s made it pretty clear she doesn’t want to see anybody. If you ask me, she’s ashamed of what she did, and I can’t say that I blame her. Murder’s a bad business, no matter how nice the killer might be.”
Alex asked, “How did she say she killed him? There wasn’t a mark on him.”
Armstrong stroked his chin. “She walked in first thing this morning and confessed. Emma said she did him in, and after that, I haven’t heard another word out of her.”
Alex said, “She didn’t tell you because she doesn’t know how he died.”
“Alex, Emma’s not the type to come in here and confess to something she didn’t do. We get those crackpots now and then, but she’s not one of them.”
“I can’t believe she could kill anybody. Now are you going to go ask her if she’ll see me, or do I have to come back in ten minutes with Sandra?”
It was the threat of returning with the lawyer that finally worked; there was no doubt in Alex’s mind about that.
“Okay, I’ll ask, but we’re both wasting our time. She’s not going to talk to you.”
Alex waited outside the detention area while Armstrong went to ask Emma. Looking out the window, he could see storm clouds building on the horizon. They were in the middle of a drought, and any rain would be welcome, but the blackness of the sky matched his mood. It was surreal, visiting one of his best friends in the Elkton Falls jail.
Armstrong came back rubbing his chin. “I guess you’re more special than I thought you were, Alex. She’s agreed to see you.”
As Alex started for the door, Armstrong said, “Listen, you’re not her lawyer and these aren’t regular visiting hours.” Alex started to protest as Armstrong finished, “But I’m making an exception for you. I can give you five minutes, but that’s it. Go on in the interrogation room and I’ll bring her to you.”
“Thanks, Sheriff,” Alex said, glad for any time he could get with Emma.
Alex expected Emma Sturbridge to be wilted by the ordeal, so he was a little surprised to see her head held high as she came into the interrogation room.
Alex started to get up to hug her when Armstrong said, “No physical contact, Alex. I’m sorry, but those are the rules.”
“I understand,” Alex said. “Emma, how are you?”
She waited until the door closed, then said, “I’m fine, Alex. The sheriff’s been truly nice. He even ran down to Shantara’s and picked up a few magazines for me to read while I’m in here.”
Alex took a deep breath, then said, “Do you mind telling me what this is all about?”
Emma shook her head. “Sorry, I’m not in the mood to talk.”
“Then why did you agree to see me, blast it all,” Alex said, letting some of his frustration seep through.
Emma smiled briefly, a flicker that was gone in a heartbeat. “I want you to tell Mor to stop trying to visit me. How is he, Alex?”
“He’s fine, but then again, he’s not the one who just confessed to murder.”
Emma sighed. “I did what I had to do, Alex.”
He said, “I can’t believe you’re in here.”
“Oh, don’t let that bother you another minute. It’s not so bad.”
Alex shook his head. “It’s worse than you think. When you pulled this little stunt of yours, Armstrong stopped looking for the real killer.”
Emma tipped her head to one side. “I didn’t have any choice, Alex.”
It suddenly hit him why she had put herself in that position. “You think Mor killed him, don’t you?”
F
or the first time since she’d been ushered in, Emma broke eye contact with him.
Alex pushed on. “You confessed so Armstrong would quit hounding Mor. Admit it.”
Emma, her gaze still on her hands, said, “Don’t be foolish, Alex. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Emma Sturbridge, if you think I’m going to stand by and watch you throw yourself on your sword, you’re out of your mind. Have some faith in Mor. He didn’t kill Toby any more than you did.”
Tears crept down her cheeks. “Alex, you didn’t see him last night. He was so angry, about Toby and everything else.”
“Emma, he wouldn’t kill anybody, certainly not in his own truck. Even if Mor’s temper got the better of him, don’t you think he would have done something pretty obvious, like beating the man up? You saw Toby yourself. There wasn’t a mark on him. They don’t even have an official cause of death yet.”
“Oh dear,” Emma said, the enormity of what she’d done obviously sinking in at last. “Alex, I’ve made a dreadful mistake. How is Mor ever going to forgive me?”
Alex said, “Mor’s the least of your problems. How are we going to get you out of here?”
“Never mind that. Call Mor. I’ve got to do something before it’s too late.”
Alex said, “I’m calling Sandra. After she gets you out, you can deal with Mor yourself.”
“This is dreadful.”
Alex took a chance on breaking Armstrong’s rule and reached over to pat Emma’s hand. “Sandra will straighten this out. In the meantime, don’t say anything else. Okay?”
“I promise.”
Armstrong tapped once on the door, then opened it. ‘Time’s up. Sorry.”
“We were just finished,” Alex said.
“Make both those calls, Alex. Promise me,” Emma said.
“As long as I can do it in the order I want to,” Alex said with a slight grin.
“You’re as stubborn as I am, Alex Winston.”
“Talk to you soon, Emma.”
After Armstrong took Emma back to her cell, he was surprised to find Alex on his telephone.
Alex hung up as the sheriff walked back in. “That’s for official business only, Alex.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t wait. Sheriff, you know as well as I do that confession’s worthless.”
Armstrong huffed. “Alex, don’t go meddling in my business. You’re just an innkeeper, remember?”
“I’m also Emma’s friend.”
Armstrong pointed to the telephone. “Who were you calling?”
“Sandra Beckett,” Alex admitted. “She’s on her way over here.”
“Wonderful. That’s just what I need.”
Alex said, “Sorry. I know you didn’t cause this yourself.”
“I guess that’s as much sympathy as I can hope for, isn’t it? Now do me a favor and kindly get your carcass out of my office.”
“I’m on my way,” Alex said.
Alex knew Emma’s confession had stirred up a hornet’s nest. Sandra was a great attorney, but that didn’t mean Emma would be sleeping in her own bed tonight These things took time, and it was going to be hard to un-ring that particular bell. How matters would stand between Emma and Mor after she finally did get out was anyone’s guess. One thing he was certain of: Mor wouldn’t be thrilled that Emma had thought him capable of killing her ex-husband.
Alex knew in his heart that Emma’s instincts were way off base. Mor himself could confess the crime on the news and Alex wouldn’t believe it of his friend.
So if Mor hadn’t killed the man, and Emma hadn’t either, who or what exactly had ended Toby Sturbridge’s life?
Since Alex was already in town, he decided to go by Shantara’s General Store and see how things were going with Tracy Shook and her campaign against her ex-husband.
Shantara was with a customer in the craft section of her store, showing some of Bill Yadkin’s blacksmith work to a sharp-eyed woman in an expensive suit.
The woman said, “Eleven hundred dollars for that piece? You’ve got to be kidding. You must be able to do better than that.”
Shantara said, “No, Ma’am. This fellow’s had offers all over the country for his work. He sells some of his creations here only as a favor to me because he’s local.”
When the woman saw that Shantara wasn’t going to budge, she said, “Okay, you win. I’ll take everything.”
Shantara nodded as she began collecting a dozen forged hooks, a mirror with twining steel tendrils, and a gate with swirls of iron wrapped with black vines. Alex pretended to browse as he watched the register display light up. The total was staggering.
After the buyer made a trip to her car with her first load, Alex said, “Whew, I hope Bill appreciates your sales acumen.”
Shantara laughed. “He does, but all I really need is the way my commission says thanks.”
Alex said, “Come on, you were laying it on a little thick, weren’t you? Bill Yadkin’s good, but in demand all over the country?”
Shantara said, “Hey, it’s true. A man came in the store from Foggy Bottom yesterday and bought a hook. If that’s not out in the country, I don’t know what is.”
Their conversation was interrupted as the woman came back in. After gathering up the last of her purchases, she handed Shantara a business card. “Give this to the artisan,
would you? I’d like to commission a matching piece for that sculpture.”
Shantara said. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
“A complementary piece to the wall hanging, of course.” It was all the woman could do to keep from rolling her eyes.
After she was gone. Shantara said. “And here I thought it was just a gate. Bill made it for Trinity Sloane, but when it came time to pay, the old coot stiffed him I convinced Bill to let me sell it for him, but he swore up and down I was wasting my time.”
“Hey, it looked like art to me.” Alex said
“So what brings you out here when you have an inn full of guests? I know you don’t have time for social calls.”
Alex said, “I’m worried about Tracy. How is the campaign going?”
Shantara said, “Oxford Hitchcock was bad enough, but running against Conner is turning out to be a real nightmare. Have you seen his latest stunt?”
When Alex said he hadn’t, Shantara reached behind the counter and pulled out a poster. All it said was shook in bold white letters with a green background.
“So? That’s one of Tracy’s, isn’t it?”
Shantara said, “Don’t I wish. No, we used red on our first run. He went to the same printer over in Hickory, used everything we did, but he changed the color. Folks around here are going to be voting for the Red Shook or the Green one.”
“I don’t see how it can help him, since it doesn’t say which Shook to vote for.”
“Alex, he’s been telling everybody that Green means Go for Connor, and Red means stop Tracy from ruining Elkton Falls.”
A sudden thought struck Alex. “Okay, here’s a way to turn it around on him. Green also means untried and inexperienced. Use that against Conner.”
Shantara smiled. “I knew there was a reason I kept you around. We’ll do just that Maybe we’ll switch to a gold background for Tracy and throw his whole attack plan off.”
Alex asked, “Whatever happened to the issues, or to a candidate’s qualifications? Doesn’t anybody even have a platform anymore?”
“Alex, they still do, but that’s not what gets the voters excited. We’re trying to come up with some flair to get their attention. Once they know we’re out there, then they’ll listen to what we stand for.”
“If you say so,” he said.
Shantara said, “Just leave it to me, Alex. I’ll teach Conner Shook not to come after us.”
As Alex drove back to the inn, he marveled at the different hues of Shook posters around town.
No matter what color the poster was, there was no doubt in his mind; Tracy was the only Shook he’d be voting for come Ele
ction Day.
Chapter 10
Alex found Lenora MacLeod waiting for him in the lobby when he got back to Hatteras West. She had her sketch pad tucked under one arm and an expectant expression on her face.
Up until that moment, he’d forgotten completely about their earlier discussion. “Hi, Lenora. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Alex, I hope your answer is yes. I would love for you to pose for me. It shan’t take long, I promise.”
Alex said, “I’m kind of busy right now. Why don’t you get Corki and Jan to pose for you? I bet they’d love to do it.”
Lenora said, “It’s you I’m interested in, Alex.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Elise said as she came up behind him.
“You’re not interrupting anything,” Alex said hastily. “If you’ll excuse me,” he added to Lenora as he followed Elise to the laundry area.
She said, “Alex, you don’t have to curtail your conversations around here on my account.”
Alex said with a smile, “She just wants me for my body.”
Elise shook her head. “That’s not funny.”
“Hey, I was just teasing.” Elise had already run one batch of sheets through the wash and had popped them in the dryer earlier. It was a constant job, washing and folding sheets and towels for their guests. As they worked, he added, “Aren’t you going to ask about Emma?”
“I already heard all about it. The mayor was out here again while you were gone. He said he was in town talking to Sandra about raising more money for the covered bridge when you called her.”
“What was he doing out here anyway, looking for more donations?”
Elise said, “Ever since he’s announced his retirement, Grady’s been hovering everywhere. Irma Bean told me he’s been hanging out at the restaurant just about every night. Do you want to know the truth? I think the poor man’s just lonely.”
Alex said, “Don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine.” As Alex took a sheet from the dryer, he said, “Last I heard, Grady’s going to do his retirement up in style. He’s selling his house and buying a motor home, if you can imagine that. That life might be perfect for him, but I’ve got to have my roots.”