by Tim Myers
“Tony could have taken it to divert suspicion from his real intent, Elise.” There was a sudden noise in the woods nearby.
Elise said, “What was that?”
“Probably two squirrels chasing each other over territory rights.”
Elise turned back to the problem. “So what are you going to do about it?”
“What can I do? I’m going to confront Tony and find out the truth.”
Elise said softly, “Alex, if he did kill Jase, why would he tell you the truth? What’s it going to cost him to lie to you?”
Alex shook his head. “You don’t understand. It doesn’t matter what he says. I can tell when Tony’s lying. I’ve always been able to. He’s never gotten away with a lie with me in his life.”
“I don’t know, Alex, it sounds risky to me.”
“Elise, don’t you see? I can’t stand not knowing! If he comes after me, so be it. One way or another, I’ve got to know the truth.”
Elise said, “Then I’ll go with you. There’s safety in numbers.”
Alex said, “Elise, as much as I appreciate your offer,
Tony’s not going to admit anything with you around. You know as much as I do now. If anything happens to me, tell Armstrong, and don’t let up on him until he’s cracked the case.”
She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
Alex pulled away and asked, “What was that for?”
“Luck.”
Alex’s legs were shaking as he started for the lighthouse stairs, but his condition had nothing to do with the arduous ascent ahead of him. To his surprise, Tony and Ashley met him near the bottom of the lighthouse, their tour evidently over.
“There you are,” Tony said. “We were beginning to wonder about you.”
Alex said, “Ashley, did you know Steven was looking for you? He said it was important.”
Ashley said, “Steven’s sense of importance doesn’t often match mine.”
Alex hated to lie, but he had to get Tony alone. “He looked a little upset to me, to tell you the truth.”
Ashley said, “I’d better go find him,” then disappeared quickly inside the inn.
Tony started toward the inn, too, but Alex touched his arm lightly. “We need to talk.”
Tony pulled away as he said, “So, we’ll talk on the front porch.”
“Why don’t we sit here on the lighthouse steps,” Alex insisted. “We’ve got a lot more privacy here.”
Tony said, “Fine. What’s on your mind, little Brother?”
“I just have one question for you, and I want the truth. Tony, did you kill Uncle Jase?”
Tony snapped, “Have you lost your mind? What are talking about?”
Alex said, “I know Jase was cutting you out of the will, and I also know how desperate you were for money.”
Tony said, “How did you find that out?” A look of suspicion crept across his face. “Did you go through my things, Alex?”
“Why not? You went through mine. I kept trying to figure out why someone would search through Jase’s possessions, first when they were on Mor’s truck, and then again in my room. You were looking for the journal, weren’t you?”
“Get a grip, Alex. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” All the signs were there; his brother was lying.
Alex snapped, “Come on, Tony, I found his journal in your suitcase.”
Tony said, “Okay, I admit it. I took it after we left Sandra’s office that day she read the will. Alex, I expected Jase to follow up right away when he said he was writing me out of his will. Nobody was more surprised than I was when Sandra read the version that left me all that money. You’d better believe the first thing on my mind was getting my hands on that journal before Armstrong started snooping around. I knew how Jase recorded everything in his life in there. I followed you over to his house, and the second you disappeared into his bedroom, I went in to look for it myself. It wasn’t that tough to spot; it was right on the stand by the door. I nearly had a heart attack when you came out of that room, but I didn’t have a choice. That journal would have set me up as a murderer, and I had no desire to be the sheriff’s only suspect for a murder I didn’t commit.”
“Do you expect me to believe you, Tony?” His brother’s body language, the tone of his voice, even the way he stared at Alex screamed that he was telling the truth. But that couldn’t be. There were too many facts that pointed straight at his brother.
Tony jammed a finger into Alex’s chest. “I told you, I’m not lying! Do you really think I could have killed him? The last time I saw Jase, he was mad as a wet cat, but he was still very much alive. Jase was furious with me the last time we spoke, and I’ve got to live with that for the rest of my life. I’ll never have the chance to say how sorry I am about everything.” Tony looked Alex straight in the eye. “I did not kill our uncle, Alex. You know what? I’m past caring what you believe. Now get out of my way. I’m leaving Hatteras West forever, and I’d advise you not to try and stop me.”
As Tony blew past him, Alex knew in his heart that his brother was indeed telling the truth!
Alex hurried after him as Tony went upstairs to retrieve his bag, anxious to catch up with his brother and try to set things right between them. After all, if Tony left Hatteras West now, he knew his brother would never come back.
Alex was surprised to hear a police siren as he raced toward Tony’s room. What had happened now to bring the sheriff back to Hatteras West?
Tony had his bag in one hand as he blew past Alex toward the front door.
Alex said, “Don’t go like this. We need to talk about it.”
Tony said, “I’m finished talking, Alex. I wish I could say it’s been nice being related to you, but I’m not going to lie to you.”
Alex watched him storm out the front door, thought about it for three heartbeats, then decided to go after him before his brother was gone forever.
By the time Alex reached the porch, he found Armstrong putting handcuffs on his brother.
“What’s going on, Sheriff?”
“I’m taking your brother in for questioning, Alex, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t get in the way.”
“On what grounds?” Alex asked with a sinking feeling in his gut.
“We just got an anonymous tip that led to a break in the case. That’s all I can say.” He turned to Tony. “You okay with me grabbing your suitcase, too, or do I have to get a warrant for it?”
Tony looked steadily at Alex as he said, “Go ahead. Do whatever you have to do. Just get me out of here.” Armstrong started to push him into the back of the squad car when Tony added loudly, “I can’t believe you, Alex. You couldn’t talk to me before you called the police?”
“I swear I didn’t call them, Tony,” Alex said.
“Yeah, right. Thanks a lot, Brother.”
After Tony was locked, up in the back of the squad car, Armstrong said, “You mind grabbing that bag at your feet for me, Alex? I need to search his room, too, but I don’t want to leave him alone out here in the patrol car while I’m doing it.”
“Sheriff, do you honestly think I’m going to lift one finger to help you when you’re trying to railroad my brother?”‘
Armstrong said, “I know this is hard on you, but you have to want the truth to come out. Don’t you owe that much to Jase? I’m sorry, Alex, but I have to do this. I have no choice.”
Alex shrugged, then said, “But I don’t have to help you. Not this time.”
Armstrong said, “Then we’ll play it your way.” He grabbed the bag at Alex’s feet. “I’ll take Tony into town and lock him up in a holding cell, then I’ll be back out here to search his room. Don’t go in there while I’m gone, Alex. That’s an official police order. I’d hate to find out somebody tampered with evidence.”
Alex couldn’t stand the thought of his brother being locked up, but there was nothing he could do about it. “You’ve got my word I won’t go in there.”
“Good enough,” Armstrong s
aid as he got into the cruiser. Alex glanced inside the patrol car as the sheriff drove off. Tony was staring straight ahead, not even looking in Alex’s direction as he went past.
Elise met him at the door as he walked into the inn. “What’s going on, Alex?”
“As if you didn’t know,” he said abruptly.
“What are you talking about? Was that the sheriff? I was in the laundry room when I heard the siren. Alex, answer me!”
Alex refused to reply as he hurried to his room and bolted the door behind him. He needed some time to think. Elise was the only one he had shared his suspicions about Tony with. She had to have been the one who phoned in the anonymous tip to Armstrong. Alex just couldn’t imagine why she’d broken his confidences so quickly. Was it out of some kind of misguided loyalty to him? Had she done it out of fear for his life? Ultimately, it didn’t matter why she’d called the police. Elise had violated the trust between them, and that was one thing he didn’t think he’d ever be able to forgive.
There was a repeated knock on his door, and he heard Elise say, “Alex, I don’t know what’s wrong. Talk to me.”
When he didn’t reply, she finally gave up. Alex sat there for half an hour, wondering how things had gotten into such a mess, and how the two of them were ever going to work together when she had shattered his trust so completely.
Ultimately, Alex realized he couldn’t hide in his room forever. He had an inn to run.
Elise was at the front desk waiting for him when he came out.
She said, “Alex, I want to know exactly what you think is going on here.”
He shook his head as he reached for the telephone beside her and punched in a number he knew by heart. When Sandra answered on the first ring, Alex said, “Armstrong picked Tony up for questioning in Jase’s murder half an hour ago.”
“What?” Sandra said. “On what grounds?”
“He got an anonymous tip,” Alex said as he looked intently at Elise.
After explaining the facts but assuring her that he; thought Tony was innocent, Sandra said, “I’ll go straight over to the jail. Don’t worry, Alex, I’ll look into this and get back to you.”
“Thanks. It’s nice to be able to count on you.”
After he hung up, Elise said, “Alex, it’s clear you think I betrayed your trust, but I didn’t call the sheriff. I would never do that.”
He said, “Then how do you explain it? Who else knew about the journal in the suitcase, Elise? I didn’t tell anybody but you. Nadine knew it existed, but not where I’d found it. Besides, she’s the one who talked me out of calling Armstrong in the first place, remember? I just wish you would have trusted me.”
Elise pleaded, “I did, Alex! I didn’t call the police. Maybe Nadine had a change of heart, because I certainly didn’t call the sheriff. I thought you knew me better than that.”
As she raced off toward her room, there was nothing Alex could say. Elise was right; he did know that she would never go behind his back like that. With a knot in his stomach, Alex realized that he may have just driven off the best friend and the biggest ally he had.
Alex stared after her, wondering what he could do to make things right with Elise. Maybe if he called Nadine, she’d be able to clear things up. He picked up the telephone and dialed Jase’s office. There was no answer. Still, it had to have been her. Nadine was the only possibility left.
Alex stared at Elise’s door, regretting his earlier behavior. He hadn’t even given her a chance. The stress of losing Jase to a violent murder and the guilt he felt about accusing Tony had worn Alex to the bone, and he’d taken it out on
tier. If Elise said she didn’t call the sheriff, Alex knew in his heart he could believe her.
He knocked lightly on her room door, then louder. “Go away,” Elise said in a muffled voice.
“Elise, I’m sorry. I had no right to accuse you like that.”
There was nothing but dead silence on the other side of the door.
“Hey, I’m on my knees out here apologizing. You don’t want to miss this.”
As he heard her doorknob start to turn, Alex quickly dropped to his knees. Elise’s eyes were red as she opened the door. “I’m listening.”
“I’m sorry, Elise. I was hurt and angry and looking for someone to blame, and you just happened to be in range. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”
“And ...” she said, waiting for more.
“And I should have believed you when you said you didn’t call Armstrong. I’m sorry.”
She reached a hand down to him and helped him up. “Just don’t let it happen again, Alex. You know how I feel about my word. When I say something’s true, you can believe it.”
“I know, I’m the same way,” Alex said. “It’s no excuse, but I’m really worried about Tony.”
Elise said, “I’m probably going to catch grief for saying this, but how can you be so certain he’s innocent now? An hour ago you were ready to convict him of murder.”
Alex said, “Elise, I can’t explain it, but I looked into his eyes, and I knew he was telling the truth. He didn’t kill Jase.”
Elise said, “Then we’d better find out who did.”
“Good enough,” Alex said. “The first thing we should do is to go talk to Julie and see if she might not be as innocent is she appears to be.”
Chapter 17
On their way out the door, Alex heard Ashley Trask-Cooper calling out to him. “Alex, I’ve searched the entire inn, and I can’t find my brother anywhere.”
It took him a second to realize that Ashley was talking about the wild-goose chase he’d sent her on so he could have some time alone with Tony.
“That’s right, I forgot all about it. He went into town with your mother. You know, I think I overreacted. Sorry if I worried you for nothing.’’
Ashley studied him curiously for a moment, then said, “I’ll be in my room if anyone needs me.”
Alex said, “I’ll be away from the inn for a little while, so if you need anything—”
Elise interrupted, “We’ll both be gone.” She tugged Alex’s shirt. “I’m going with you, remember?”
Ashley said, “You mean you’re both going to leave me | here all by myself?”
“Ashley, you’ll be fine. Vernum is around here some
where, and we have other guests, too. Besides, I expect your family back any minute. Now if you’ll excuse us ...”
“Oh, go on,” she said abruptly as she headed up the stairs.
After they were out on the porch, Alex said, “I feel bad leaving her alone.”
Elise said, “Alex Winston, if you think you’re going to go off investigating this without me, you’re sadly mistaken. Jase wasn’t my uncle, but I liked and respected the man.”
Alex smiled grimly. “Admit it. You like to dig as much as I do.”
Elise said, “Somebody’s got to keep you out of trouble.”
As they headed for the truck, Elise said, “Why didn’t you question Ashley while you had the chance? She’s feeling vulnerable, at least if we can believe her. She might tell you something she wouldn’t ordinarily.”
“I can’t see her killing Jase, can you?”
“Alex, someone did. Why not Ashley? Do you honestly think she’d be more inclined to talk with her mother around? Cynthia doesn’t seem to be the type to let her children go around unsupervised, no matter how old they are.”
“Maybe you’re right. What possible excuse can I use to talk to her now?”
Elise grinned. “Come on, Alex, turn on that charm of yours. Julie can wait while you talk to Ashley.”
Alex asked, “So what are you going to be doing while I’m interrogating a suspect?”
Elise said, “I’ll be eavesdropping nearby, of course.”
Alex tapped on Ashley’s door. It took her a moment to answer. “Who is it?” she said without opening it even the slightest crack.
“It’s Alex Winston. Do you have a minute?”
Alex heard
the chain come off and the lock slide open.
“Certainly. Come in. What happened to that errand you were going to run with your maid?”
Alex said, “We decided to put it off for a little while. I didn’t want you to think for a minute that I’d desert you like that.” Alex felt a little uneasy being alone with a female guest in her room. He added, “I was thinking we could talk out on the porch. It’s such a glorious day.”
Ashley agreed, and they were soon seated on a pair of rockers overlooking the lighthouse. “So what’s on your mind?” she asked as she rocked gently back and forth in the breeze.
“I just wanted to check on you and see how you’re handling all of this. It must have been hard for you, discovering you have a sister the day your father’s will was supposed to be read.”
Ashley stopped rocking. “I don’t have a sister, no matter what that letter says.”
“Do you think there’s a chance that Mathias would lie about something as important as that?” Alex asked softly.
“I wouldn’t put it past him, even if that letter is legitimate.”
Alex asked, “Do you have any reason to believe it isn’t?”
Ashley said, “I don’t know what it could possibly hurt by telling you that Steven doesn’t believe that letter is from our father at all. If you can believe it, he’s been holed up in his room studying a book about forgery techniques to prove Father never wrote it in the first place.”
“But what if it is real?”
“If you’re looking for motives for my father’s erratic behavior, you’re not going to have much luck asking me. I never did understand him.”
“He sounds like he was a fascinating man,” Alex said as he noticed Vernum trimming the lower branches of the trees near the inn. At least Ashley couldn’t see him from her spot. Alex only hoped the arborist didn’t come any closer and interfere with his questioning.
After a few moments of silence, Ashley said, “He was quite aggravating as a father. I can’t imagine how much more exasperating he was as a husband. I honestly don’t know how Mother put up with him for as long as she did.”