Room for Murder

by Tim Myers

  Alex said, “Don’t worry about it.”

  “No, I’m sorry. Alex, I must have had too much to drink. I’m not usually this dense. Tell you what, I’m going over to my motor home and taking a nap before I hit the road. I’m not in any condition to drive.”

  “You can stay at the inn. We’re just about empty right now.”

  Grady said, “Thanks, but that’s why I got my new wheels. I’ve got my bed with me wherever I go now.”

  As Grady teetered off to his new abode, Alex felt a meaty hand on his shoulder. Mor said, “Did I just see what I thought I did?”

  Alex felt his face flush. “I don’t know, what did you see?”

  “Don’t mess with me, Alex. Did you just kiss Elise?”

  He shrugged. “You know how weddings affect people.”

  “That wasn’t just because of the wedding, my friend. I guess you finally found a way to break the ice with her.”

  Alex said, “I wouldn’t be so sure. Did you see how fast she just ran away? When Grady Hatch interrupted us, I thought she was going to run back into the inn.”

  “Talk to her, Alex. Don’t let her get away again.”

  Alex said, “Mor, I never had her to begin with.” He slapped his friend on the back. “Don’t you have anything better to do than worry about me? When are you’all getting out of here?”

  “Trying to get rid of us already?” Mor asked with a grin. “As soon as Emma tosses her bouquet, we’re on our way. I’d better go see what’s keeping her.”

  Five minutes later they were ready to go, with everyone milling around waiting for them. Emma tossed the bouquet over her shoulder, and Alex was certain it was no accident that it landed squarely in Elise’s arms.

  She looked as if she’d caught a live snake, but Elise somehow managed to be gracious about it until the spotlight of attention left her.

  After the newlyweds drove away in Emma’s decorated car, the reception started breaking up. There were more than a few glances at the oncoming clouds, and the planners looked anxious to break cam and get everything packed up.

  It appeared that they were in for one whale of a storm.

  Alex found Elise inside, staring at the bouquet in her hands.

  “Nice catch,” he said as he loosened his tie.

  “Alex, we’ve got to talk about what happened.”

  He said, “Hey, it’s just an old wives’ tale. Nobody expects you to get married next.”

  She said, “That’s not what I mean. We have to talk about that kiss.”

  Alex looked steadily at her. “Why? Why can’t we just enjoy it?”

  “Alex, I was swept up in the emotion of the moment. It was a mistake.”

  “How can you say that?” Alex asked, fighting to keep his voice in control. “It didn’t feel like a mistake to me.”

  “I’m not ready,” she said softly. “I was engaged not that long ago.”

  “Elise, I’m not pushing you. We can take our time, but you can’t deny there were sparks between us.”

  She said gently, “It was most likely the champagne.”

  He held her gaze. “I don’t believe that for one second, and I don’t think you do either. It was us.”

  “Oh, Alex,” was all she said before she rushed to her room.

  So she’d thought their shared kiss was a mistake. Normally Alex would have been shattered by the revelation, by the rejection.

  But this time it was different.

  No matter how much she protested, Alex knew that Elise had been as moved by the kiss as he’d been.

  And hope sparked in his heart again.

  Chapter 20

  “We’re looking for Grady Hatch. Has he been out here?” Conner Shook asked as he burst into the inn.

  Alex was stunned to see Tracy following just behind her ex-husband.

  He said, “He’s sleeping one off in his camper. What’s the emergency?”

  Tracy said, “Let me handle this, Conner. Alex, we need him to step in and take over this election. The board is making a real mess of it.”

  Conner added, “If Shantara would keep her mouth shut and let them finish one count without butting in, we’d have been done last night.”

  “She’s looking out for my best interests, Conner. I’ve got the same complaint with Gladys Rhine.”

  “Hey, she’s making sure you don’t slip in the back door of the mayor’s office,” Conner protested.

  Alex said, “Listen, I don’t need to hear this. Go talk to Grady.”

  They both left, heading out for the motor home where the mayor was about to get a rude awakening.

  One minute after they left, the rain started abruptly pounding down in sudden fierce waves of monstrous drops. There was no drizzle beforehand, no warning that such violence was imminent. At least it had waited until all the guests were gone, Alex mused, as he watched the fierce attack of the deluge.

  Elise came downstairs, back in blue jeans and a polo shirt, her hair pulled into its traditional ponytail. She still looked lovely to him.

  “Wow, that’s an incredible storm,” she said as she looked out the window. “You can barely see the lighthouse from here.”

  It was true. Alex couldn’t remember seeing such a hard rain in all his years at Hatteras West.

  Elise said, “I’m going to turn on the radio and see if there’s anything on the news about it.”

  As she switched on the radio that was sitting on an end table, they heard, “... shelter. To repeat, Hurricane Zelda is heading straight for Elkton Falls. Those without basements are advised to head to the high school bomb shelter. Folks, this one’s going to be a direct hit. Charlotte got skirted, but Hickory was slammed full on. Now she’s coming our way, fast and mean. To repeat, Hurricane Zelda ...” Elise turned the volume down.

  “Mor and Emma are on the road, and they’re driving right into a hurricane.”

  Alex said, “Chances are they’re already in Charlotte. I’ve never been happier that the inn is empty. If this thing had hit yesterday or tomorrow, we’d have real problems on our hands.”

  Elise said, “Alex, you don’t have a basement here. Should we head over to the high school?”

  Alex shook his head. “We’re safer in the lighthouse, Elise. Think about it. Both Hatteras lighthouses, east and west, were designed to withstand this kind of punishing weather. If you’d feel better going to the high school, I guess I could go with you,” he added.

  “No, you’re right. I’d feel safer at the lighthouse with you. Alex, we should get over there right now with some supplies.”

  “That might not be such a bad idea.” They worked together again as a team, gathering plastic bins with flashlights, food, and blankets, drawing water for later and battening down the inn as much as they could. He was glad he’d insisted on working storm shutters when they’d rebuilt the Dual Keepers’ Quarters. He felt a lot more secure being able to cover the windows. Alex finished pulling the chairs in from the porch and was soaked to the bone by the time he got everything inside. Grady, Conner, and Tracy were already there waiting for him.

  Alex took the towel Elise offered and he started drying his hair. “We’re going to ride this out in the lighthouse,” he told them. “You’re welcome to join us.”

  Conner said, “Do we have any choice? It’s getting dangerous out there.”

  Alex said, “Just let me change, then we’ll head over.”

  Conner said, “Come when you’re ready, but I’m going right now.” He picked up a bin and headed for the front door.

  Grady grabbed one too, then said, “Come on, Tracy, they can manage here.”

  Tracy followed, and by the time Alex got back downstairs, Elise was waiting for him with the last two bins of supplies. “It’s going to be a little crowded in the base with all this stuff.”

  “Hey, don’t forget, we’ve got the steps to use as seats and shelves. Don’t worry, Elise, we’re going to be fine.”

  “I’ll feel better once we get over there and get the front
doors bolted shut,” she admitted.

  “Let’s go, then,” Alex said as he grabbed the heavier bin. The rain was now mixed with hail, and it stung as it pounded into them. Alex stopped to secure the inn’s doors, then ran after Elise in the muck and mud. The rain had quickly saturated the ground and had left a quagmire behind.

  Once they were with the others inside the base of the lighthouse, Alex bolted the main doors. Very little light came in from the window above their heads, and Alex flipped on one of his powerful flashlights. The white walls reflected the beam, and the interior seemed almost cheerful compared to the howling winds outside. Alex leaned against the circular rail at the base and said “Looks like we’re in this for the long haul. Did anybody hear when the storm shitted so far inland?”

  Conner said. “We were too wrapped up in this recount to pay much attention. I think it happened pretty fast.”

  Grady added, “I should have hit the road four hours ago.” He held a hand to his head and said “What a splitting headache. I think I’ve just gone on the wagon.”

  Elise turned on the portable radio and had to raise the volume so they could hear over the roar of the storm outside.

  “... edges have just touched town. Hunker down, folks, the electricity went off ten minutes ago, and we’re running off the generator. Stay where you are! If you can’t get to a basement, a doorway’s good, even a cast-iron tub if you’ve got one. The eye’s due to pass over us in about twenty minutes, but don’t go outside because it looks calm. When the back side hits, it’s going to have a real punch to it”

  They listened for a while as news of devastation farther south trickled in. Charlotte was miraculously bypassed, but a few towns nearby weren’t nearly so lucky, getting ravaged by the storm. Hickory had been particularly hard hit, with trees and power lines down all over the city.

  “It sounds like a train’s out there,” Tracy said, the awe for the power of the storm thick in her voice.

  “Look at that,” Conner said, pointing to the window above them. “The rain’s actually falling up. It’s like being in a giant car wash.”

  “I don’t need to be here,” Grady said.

  “Well, we’re all stuck for now,” Elise said. “So we might as well make the best of it.”

  Alex said to Grady, “I thought you’d be more interested in your constituents than just wanting to take off.”

  Grady said, “Of course I am, but it’s going to be up to one of these two to rebuild what’s ruined. I’ve served my time here.”

  Tracy said, “I wonder if the covered bridge is going to survive this. It would be a shame to lose it after you’all worked so hard to raise money for its restoration.”

  Grady shrugged. “We didn’t raise all that much, just a few bucks, really. I’d hate to see it go, too,” he added as he looked down at his shoes.

  Without thinking, Alex said, “That’s not true at all. I know for a fact there have been several hefty donations to the project.”

  Grady said, “Alex, aren’t you too old to believe in rumors and idle gossip? I’ve got a feeling a lot of folks are bragging about giving to the fund without cracking their checkbooks.”

  Conner jumped in. “Oxford told me there was over twenty thousand in the kitty, and that was a good month ago. Is that what you call a few bucks?”

  “He was always prone to exaggeration, just like most politicians are,” Grady said. “Is the storm letting up? It’s not raining nearly as hard as it was.”

  The mayor started for the handle when Alex stepped in front of him. Everything was starting to come together in his mind, and he didn’t want anyone leaving until he tested his theory. Fighting to be heard over the storm, Alex asked, “Is that why you killed Oxford, for the money?”

  Grady snapped, “What are you talking about, Alex? Have you lost your mind?”

  Alex said, “It just makes sense, doesn’t it?” He turned to Conner. “Did you know about it too, or was he just using you?”

  Conner sputtered, “Alex, you’re certifiably insane.”

  Alex shook his head. “I don’t think so. It all makes sense. Oxford found out Grady was stealing from the bridge fund. It was kind of poetic justice when he confronted you there about your theft. So you killed him.”

  The warm, friendly mayor they all knew was suddenly replaced by a caged animal ready to strike out.

  Grady pulled a gun from his jacket and said, “You had to push it, didn’t you, Alex? Well, knowing what happened isn’t going to do you a bit of good now.”

  Tracy said in a stunned voice, “Then it’s true?”

  Grady waved her over to the rest of the group, away from the door. “Don’t look so shocked. All my life I’ve been serving the people of Elkton Falls. It was about time they started serving me.”

  Conner said, “Shut up, Hatch.”

  “You think I’m going down without taking you with me? You knew all about my dipping into the fund.”

  Conner said, “You lying dog. I didn’t know you’d killed Oxford or that troublemaker out in the parking lot, either.”

  Alex said, “You killed Toby Sturbridge?”

  “The fool brought it on himself. Oxford and I thought the parking lot would be the safest place to talk with everybody at the rededication. Oxford demanded I return the money, the do-gooder. Sturbridge must have heard the threats. After Oxford left, I was shaken up pretty good, so I leaned against Mor’s truck for a cigarette to settle my nerves. This thug came up and threatened me if I didn’t cut him in on what I’d stolen. He grabbed me, I panicked so I pushed him. Okay, maybe it was a little too hard, but I swear, I didn’t mean to kill him. I stuck him in the nearest truck and got back up onstage.”

  “I thought you looked like you had the jitters that day,” Alex admitted. “I just couldn’t figure out why.”

  Tracy said, “What did Conner know, Grady? Tell us that much.”

  “I told you to shut up,” Conner said as he started to lunge for Grady’s gun.

  The mayor held it up, his finger white on the trigger. “Don’t make me shoot you, Conner. I’m too favorable toward the idea as it is.”

  Conner backed off, and Grady finished, “He knew something was going on, but he didn’t know quite what the handle was. I couldn’t afford any attention, so I promised to help him get elected if he’d stay out of things until after the election. I planned to be long gone by the time he blew the lid off it.”

  “You can’t prove I knew anything about this mess,” Conner shouted.

  “I don’t have to,” Grady said. “I’m not a cop.”

  Alex said, “So what are you going to do now, Grady. You can’t kill all of us.”

  “I’m not some kind of cold-blooded killer, Alex. Sturbridge was a fluke, and Oxford was threatening me. Where I’m going, nobody will ever be able to find me.”

  “How are you going to get anywhere?” Elise asked. “There’s a hurricane out there.”

  Grady smiled. “It’s the perfect cover. Everybody’s going to be too busy digging out from under the debris to come after me.”

  The mayor threw the doors open and looked outside at the eerie calm. Alex could see that a few trees had come down around the property, but remarkably, the inn itself didn’t appear to have suffered much damage. There was a shimmering green pall to the light, and a hushed stillness that defied description. It was, to Alex, almost as if he’d gone suddenly deaf, the quiet was so complete.

  Conner said, “You’ll never make your getaway in a motor home, Grady, not during this storm. Don’t be a fool.”

  “The only fool thing I’ve done is hang around here too long, and I’m about to correct that right now.”

  Grady was gone before they could stop him, and Alex fought the urge to go after him.

  Elise must have read his mind. “Don’t even think about going out there, Alex. It’s too dangerous.”

  “I know, but it’s hard just letting him go.” Alex knew that the other side of the storm would be there soon enough, and
the last place on Earth he wanted to be was out in it, but it still bothered him.

  “He’s not worth it,” Elise said as she bolted the doors.

  Alex knew she was right. Let Grady Hatch take his chances with Zelda.

  Sooner or later, the police would catch up with him.

  There was no doubt in Alex’s mind about that.

  Chapter 21

  “What brings you to Hatteras West?” Alex asked as Elkton Falls’ brand-new mayor arrived at the inn a few days later.

  “Just checking up on my constituents,” Tracy said. “I still can’t believe they haven’t found Grady yet.”

  Alex finished sweeping the porch steps and said, “Hey, he’s only been gone forty-eight hours. How far could he get on foot?”

  The remnants of Grady’s motor home still remained under one of the trees Alex had lost in the storm. He would have loved to see the mayor’s face when he realized that his getaway car wasn’t going anywhere.

  “The man’s craftier than any of us gave him credit for,” Tracy said. “I don’t trust him.”

  “Speaking of trust, what’s your ex-husband have to say about all this?”

  Tracy smiled. “Oh, he’s denied any connection with the mayor, and the sheriff says we don’t have enough solid evidence to arrest him, no matter how hard I push it. I do have some good news on that front, though. It seems Conner has decided to relocate. Elkton Falls is suddenly too small for him.”

  “Where’s he going?” Alex asked.

  “Out West is all I heard. They’re welcome to him. He’ll never admit it, but I know now that mannequin was his work.”

  Alex said, “I still can’t believe Grady wiped out the bridge fund and tried to run away with all that money we raised. I thought he really believed in the restoration. I’m going to head over there later and see if anything happened to the bridge during the storm. Have you heard anything about our electricity?”

  “Duke Power said we’ll have most of our service back in a day or two. What are you doing about your guests?”