Murder Checks Inn (Book 3 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries)

by Tim Myers

  Alex, trying to stall until Armstrong could arrive, said, “Was your mother in on this as well? Did she help you try to kill Amy and Julie?”

  “Mother?” Steven laughed. “She doesn’t have it in her. I ditched her in town and drove back to that barn by myself. If you hadn’t stumbled along, it would have worked perfectly, too. Oh well, half the pie is better than a third, as soon as I take care of my newly discovered sister. She’s going to suffer from complications tonight, whether she knows it or not.” He grinned slightly, then added, “As to the rest of Father’s fortune, after today, I’ll be Mother’s only beneficiary. Who knows what might happen to her then.”

  Alex said desperately, “Steven, I didn’t find a copy of the new will. I was just bluffing.” Alex paused a moment, then added, “I did find the letter you wrote Jase, though. That’s what you were looking for when you snatched the envelope, wasn’t it? He must have stuffed it in the book on his desk just before he died. You had to have had a good reason to believe that your father had written you out of his will going in. Why?”

  “Somehow he found out about my gambling all the way down in South America. I got a postcard three weeks before he died telling me that I was no longer his son, if you can believe that. I wrote to Jase, since he drafted the earlier will, to see if it was true, but he called me, dismissed my questions, and wouldn’t tell me a thing. That’s when I decided to visit him in his office and put a little extra pressure on him. He flaunted my letter at me, or at least the envelope I’d sent it in. I reached for it, even had two fingers on it, but the old man hit me with a book, can you believe it? By the time I got off the ground, the letter was gone. All I found was the envelope. The crafty old buzzard hid it in plain sight.”

  “Is that why you killed him? Did you push Jase too far?”

  “He started for the safe, and I knew in my heart the will had to be there. The second Jase opened it, I tapped him on the back of the head with that lighthouse paperweight. I wasn’t trying to kill him, but I guess his old skull was a little too fragile. And then I couldn’t find the blasted thing! The folder was empty,” Steven protested, easing up on his grip on Ashley. “You’re bluffing, Alex. You really found it, didn’t you? Lying now isn’t going to do you any good.”

  Alex heard a foot scraping on the edge of the top stair, and he hoped it was Armstrong. Instead, out of the comer of his eye he saw that it was Vernum!

  And Alex suddenly knew why he was there.

  He said, “That’s the thing, Steven. I’m willing to bet that folder was always empty. There wasn’t any need for a new will at all. It just wasn’t an issue. Come on out, Vernum, this concerns you. Or should I call you Mathias?”

  Alex held his breath, wondering if his leap of deduction was correct. Too many things had added up for him to deny it.

  One look at Vernum’s face told Alex that he’d guessed correctly.

  “Did Jase tell you?” was all Mathias could say.

  Alex said, “No, he’d never violate a trust. It’s the only way things added up. Whenever I spotted you on the grounds, you were near where your family was, even if it meant you had to be around other people to be close to them. I found you trimming shrubs you’d already tackled the day they arrived, remember? It was out of character, and it made me suspicious. Then, on the porch, I swear you were getting ready to tell me something when Ashley came out. You admitted knowing Jase, and I couldn’t see your paths crossing in that many ways until I realized that you’d need an old friend to help pull this off, and I could easily see it appealing to my uncle’s off beat sense of humor. Then when I found an odd-looking stamp in the shed where you were sleeping, I remembered Ashley talking about your stamp collection on the day she arrived. As soon as I put it all together, it was the only way your behavior made sense.”

  Ashley said, “This can’t be true. Our father is dead.”

  Steven said, “Nice try, Alex, but I’m not buying it either. He’s not Mathias Trask.”

  Vernum said wearily, “I suspected you’d doubt me. You both need proof? Steven, when you were nine you had a crush on Lilly Taylor. You sold your bicycle to a friend in order to buy her flowers, remember? And Ashley, when you were seven you scraped your knee on a fence rail. Remember how you cried in my lap? I gave you one of my rings to cheer you up, and you asked me if you broke your arm would you get a new car, remember?”

  Ashley said, “But you were so fat! And your hair! Nothing’s the same about you.”

  In a deep, rich tone, Vernum said, “Nothing? Don’t you recognize my voice? I have changed rather dramatically, haven’t I? I don’t miss carrying around all that extra weight, but I must admit, I’m looking forward to being clean-shaven again.”

  Ashley was ready to believe, but Steven couldn’t. “So Cynthia told you all that family history. So what?”

  “Son, it’s true. There’s no reason to hurt your sister. I’m sorry to say that there is no great estate waiting for you on the other end. Truth be told, I’m nearly broke. All I have left are my stamps and my family.”

  Steven shoved Ashley toward them, but before Alex could tackle him, he pulled out a gun. Ashley stumbled into Alex, the urn suddenly in Alex’s hands.

  Alex asked, “Who am I holding, Mathias?”

  “Ashes from my grill, Alex. Son, give it up. There’s no escape for you, can’t you see that?”

  Steven said, “That’s where you’re wrong. Nobody had better get in my way. I’m getting out of here.”

  Vernum said, “You’re not going anywhere, Son.”

  “You think I won’t shoot you?” Steven screamed as he turned the gun toward his own father.

  Alex seized the chance and threw the urn’s contents into Steven’s face. The ashes blinded him for a moment, and Alex dove for the hand holding the gun. One shot fired as they wrestled for it, and Alex suddenly felt himself heading over the rail!

  With a final lunge, Alex grasped the rail as he was going over! As he held on with all his might, Steven pounded at his hands, fighting to break his grip. As Alex looked on helplessly, Vernum pulled Steven away. He could hear them scuffling, but he couldn’t spare a second’s concentration. Suddenly, Alex heard a shot. If Steven had retrieved the pistol, Alex knew that the next bullet was for him. Fighting to pull himself back up over the edge, he could feel the railing slip in his grasp.

  Then Ashley’s hands reached over and helped steady him as he somehow managed to climb back to safety.

  As Alex slumped against the rail, he looked over to see Steven lying near his feet, a small pool of blood forming around him. Vernum held his son’s head in his arms, crying softly. Ashley joined him, and the two of them held their own private wake over the body.

  Elise rushed through the door, with Armstrong a few steps behind. She threw herself on Alex, smothering him with her embrace. “Oh, Alex, when I saw you go over the rail, I nearly died. I can’t believe you’re all right.”

  ‘Take it easy. I’m still a little shaky.”

  As she helped him up, Armstrong said, “What happened here?”

  “Steven killed Jase trying to get a will that was never written. He tried to kill Ashley, then he went after me a few minutes ago. That’s all I know,” Alex said.

  Vernum looked at the sheriff, then said, “My real name is Mathias Trask. My son killed himself when he realized he couldn’t get away with it any longer. I tried to stop him, but I wasn’t fast enough. Isn’t that right, Ashley?”

  She looked at her father a full beat before she said, “That’s exactly the way it happened, Father.”

  Suicide? Alex had heard them struggling. It was most likely self-defense, but Alex was almost positive that if Vernum’s hands were tested for gunpowder, the truth would come out. And who would it serve? Steven had killed Jase; Alex had heard the confession himself. Was it possible Vernum was telling the truth? Or was he lying to himself already, trying to create a memory he could live with that didn’t put his own finger anywhere near the trigger? Either way, Alex woul
d never know what had really happened while he’d been fighting for his life.

  Cynthia joined them, nearly out of breath. She saw Steven lying there, then began to wail. “Get away from my son!” she shouted at Vernum.

  “Cyn, it’s me. He’s my son, too.”

  Cynthia threw herself at Vernum. “You killed him! You killed him, Mathias.” All it took was the sound of his voice for her to know her husband. So that was why Vernum always ran whenever someone else was near. He’d only talk to people who hadn’t known him before, for fear of giving himself away.

  Mathias let his wife pound on him, taking it all without flinching. Cynthia cried, “You did this with your stupid little game. You might as well have pulled the trigger yourself.”

  Mathias said, “I just wanted to see my family again, and I wanted you all to get to know Julie. Nothing else mattered. I’m so sorry. I never dreamed it would end like this.”

  Cynthia collapsed, and Armstrong was right behind her. “Ma’am, let me help you down the steps. You don’t need to be here.”

  Cynthia turned to look at the body of her son one last time, then stumbled away with the sheriff. Mathias turned to Ashley. “You believe my intent, don’t you?”

  “I’ve missed you so much,” Ashley said as the two of them followed the rest down, never answering his question.

  Alex took Elise’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”

  Elise said, “I’m so sorry this all happened up here, Alex.”

  He shook his head. “The lighthouse takes it all in, the good and bad. We spread Jase’s ashes up here, and his killer died less than a foot away from that exact spot. There’s a kind of justice to it all.”

  Cynthia left to make arrangements in town for Steven, while Mathias and Ashley caught up on their lives with the sheriff hovering nearby. Alex was surprised to find Tony waiting for him at the bottom of the lighthouse steps, his luggage at his feet. Alex and Elise had descended slowly, his legs still shaky from nearly going over the edge.

  “So you’re out of jail,” Alex said gladly.

  “Armstrong was just letting me go when Elise called. I came out to make sure you were okay.”

  “Tony, why don’t you hang around?” Alex asked. “We could get to know one another again.”

  Tony shook his head. “Thanks, but I’m done with family reunions. All this place has left for me is bad memories.”

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

  “Don’t be; it’s not your fault. Vernum told me he was the source of the anonymous phone call. He heard you and Elise talking at Bear Rocks and jumped to his own conclusion. Turns out he and Jase were friends from way back, and he truly thought I’d killed him.”

  “Don’t leave it like this,” Alex pleaded.

  Tony said, “It’s the only way it can be.” He offered a hand to Alex, and despite everything, despite the pain and hard feelings they’d shared over the years, Alex stepped inside the extended hand and hugged his brother. He knew in his heart it was probably the last time he’d ever see Tony, and he didn’t want to end it with just a handshake.

  His brother was obviously surprised by the hug, but he didn’t fight Alex’s embrace. After a few moments, he pulled away. “Good-bye, Alex.”

  “Good-bye, Tony. You know you’re always welcome here.”

  Tony looked around one last time. “It’s not home for me anymore, Alex.”

  And then he drove away, without a single look back.

  Chapter 21

  The inn was nearly empty again, at least for the moment. Ashley left to find her mother with Mathias by her side. There was an uneasy truce between Mathias and Cynthia, and Alex wondered how it would all work out. He’d heard the older man trying to talk Ashley into visiting Julie at the hospital, but he wasn’t having much success. Tony’s room was empty, and they didn’t have any more guests scheduled until the weekend.

  Alex had just finished paying the last of a stack of bills when Mor walked in.

  “Got a second?” his friend asked.

  “I’ve been meaning to return your call, but things were a little tense around here.”

  “So I heard,” Mor said.

  “You said you’ve made up your mind. I’m going to miss you, Mor. You’ve been like a brother to me.”

  Mor continued his frown, but he couldn’t hold back any longer, and a smile exploded. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’ve decided to hang around Elkton Falls. Who else is going to keep you out of trouble?”

  Alex couldn’t believe the good news. “What made you change your mind?”

  “Les and his lady friend had a parting of the ways. He never wanted to retire; she was pushing him into it so she could help him spend his money. You know how tight he is! Can you imagine him forking over his money for cruises and minks? He had a fit. No, it’s back to business as usual for Mor or Les.”

  Alex hugged his friend. “I’m really glad you’re staying.”

  Mor hugged him back, then pulled away. “Hey, don’t get mushy on me here. Well, I’d better get back to work. I’ve been slacking off lately, and I’ve got a backlog of calls you wouldn’t believe. I want to get caught up before Emma gets into town. See you around, Alex.”

  “Bye, Mor. And welcome back.”

  “Hey buddy, I was never gone,” he said as he walked out, smiling.

  Alex missed Jase, but the rest of his world was back the way he liked it. Tony had been right; Hatteras West was his home, and his complete world.

  Elise knocked on the door soon after Mor left and said, “Alex, we need to talk.”

  Oh, well. Things had been great for a few minutes, anyway.

  “Peter’s not buying the cottage after all. He’s moving back to West Virginia.”

  Alex steeled himself for the rest of the news. “And you’re going back with him, aren’t you?”

  Elise looked startled by the comment. “Is that what you want, Alex?”

  “I want you to stay,” he blurted out. “I thought you knew that.”

  “Of course I’m staying. Seeing you dangling off the edge of the lighthouse made me realize I belong here with you. The engagement is off.” She paused a moment, then added, “Alex, would you like to take me out to dinner?”

  “What, you mean like a date?”

  Elise smiled. “Don’t you think it’s high time we had one?”

  Alex returned her grin. “I’d say so. So, where are you taking me?”

  “I thought we could go to Mamma Ravolini’s. Irma’s been bragging about a new dish I want to try.”

  “Were you asking me out for tonight? That’s awfully short notice,” Alex said with a grin.

  “We don’t have any guests, so why not? Tomorrow we’ll have a nearly full house again. I can’t wait until we open the rebuilt Dual Keepers’ Quarters again.”

  Alex said, “For one night, let’s not talk about Hatteras West.”

  “It’s a deal,” Elise said as she moved toward him.

  And now a peek at Room for Murder, book 4 in the Lighthouse Inn mysteries by Tim Myers.

  Room for Murder

  By Tim Myers

  Chapter 1

  “I can’t believe you’re actually letting these blowhards take over the Grand Unveiling like this,” Mor Pendleton said as he and Alex Winston watched the activities on the temporary outdoor stage from the wings of the newly rebuilt Dual Keepers’ Quarters of the Hatteras West Inn. A long shadow fell from the nearby lighthouse, hiding them from the view of most of the crowd. Mor was not only the town handyman who helped keep Hatteras West in good repair, he also happened to be Alex’s best friend in the world.

  Alex said, “What can I say, I’m shameless. I can use every bit of free publicity I can get for the inn, and I figured having both mayoral candidates come out for the festivities might get us some good press.” Alex owned and operated the Hatteras West Inn, a hostelry featuring a duplicate of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Keepers’ Quarters tucked away in the foothills of the
Blue Ridge Mountains.

  Things were definitely looking up, Alex thought, as he surveyed the new construction. With the completion of the building, Hatteras West Anally felt whole again; the absence of the main building had been like a missing tooth for the lighthouse and the smaller Main Keeper’s Quarters. Better yet, maybe now they could actually operate at a profit again.

  Elise Danton, the Hatteras West Inn’s housekeeper who was indispensable in running the place, came up behind them and said, “Mor, Emma’s been looking all over for you. She says it’s important.”

  The big man shrugged. “She must not be looking that hard. I’ve been right here all afternoon.” Emma Sturbridge and Mor Pendleton had survived more than a few rough patches in their rocky relationship, and Alex often wondered where the two would finally end up when the smoke cleared.

  Elise smiled softly. “I’ll just go tell her where to find you then.”

  Mor said abruptly, “No need for that. I’ll track her down myself. I’ve got a pretty good idea about what’s on her mind.” There was something about the big man’s smile that made Alex pause. Something was definitely in the air today.

  After Mor was gone, Elise moved up beside Alex and said, “This is so wonderful. We’ve finally got the inn back the way it should be.”

  Alex said, “Just in time, too. We used up the last of the money from the emerald sale, but it was worth it, wasn’t it? It turned out better than I’d even hoped.” One of Alex’s guests at the inn had discovered a vein of emeralds somewhere on the Winston property, only to take the secret of its location to the grave with her. However, there had been enough quality emeralds found in her possession to pay for rebuilding the Dual Keepers’ Quarters, finally restoring the property to its original splendor.