Murder Checks Inn (Book 3 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries) (10 page)

“
I’m telling you, someone
was following me!”

Alex thought about it a second, then asked,
“Is it possible it might have been our groundskeeper? If you’re not
expecting him, Vernum can be a little startling, but I can assure
you, he’s harmless.”

Steven wasn’t buying it. “I’m not imagining
things, and I’m not talking about someone on your staff. This was
an intentional attempt at rattling me! Now are you going to call
the sheriff, or am I going to have to do it myself?”

Alex said, “Just hold on a second. How about
this? Why don’t I go check it out myself.” He reached behind the
desk and pulled out a large flashlight.

“
You’re actually going to
go out there alone?”

Alex nodded. “I was raised here. Don’t worry
about me; I’ll be fine.”

Steven looked at him in disbelief, then
said, “I personally think you’re insane, but be my guest. Be
warned, though. If you’re not back in ten minutes, I’m calling
911.”

Alex said, “Give me at least thirty minutes
before you do anything like that.”

Steven said reluctantly, “We’ll make it
twenty. I’m not normally so jumpy, but I’m telling you, Alex,
somebody’s out there, and they’re up to no good.”

Alex saw real fear in Steven’s eyes. Could
he be right? Was there someone stalking a guest at the inn? And
could they possibly have anything to do with Jase’s murder?

There was only one way to find out.
Clutching the flashlight a little tighter than he needed to, Alex
walked out the front door into the growing night.

Chapter 9

“
Hello? Is anybody out there?”

Alex called out into the darkness, not
expecting a response, but he heard something crashing through the
woods ahead of him. From the sound of the footsteps, it was a
little too big for a chipmunk or a squirrel.

When he flashed the light in the direction
of the sound, though, there was nothing there. At least nothing he
could see. There hadn’t been a bear sighted in Elkton Falls for ten
years, not since the last big drought had driven one down from the
mountains in search of food, but they hadn’t had much rain lately,
and Alex couldn’t help wondering if one might be around now. His
imagination was taking over full throttle, and every shape and
shadow around him was assuming the guise of a killer bear or a
deranged murderer lurking in wait for him.

“
Stop it, Alex. You know
better,” he chided himself out loud. The sound of his voice helped
calm him, and the ominous shapes he’d seen for a moment converted
back into trees, bushes, and a lawn chair someone had left out in
the woods.

He made the rest of the rounds of the
property with a lighter heart after he’d banished the demons from
his mind. After circling the path from Bear Rocks to both inn
buildings to the lighthouse itself, Alex was satisfied that there
was no one or nothing ominous out there. At least not now.

Alex stopped at the storage shed by the
lighthouse to check on Vernum. Perhaps the man had been wandering
around the woods on his own, oblivious to the fact that he’d
startled one of Alex’s guests. Inside the shed, he found that the
cot was still made up, but the arborist was nowhere to be found.
Alex saw an odd-looking stamp on the floor and a pile of old
magazines spread out on the bed. The collection was so odd, it had
to have come from Les Williamson’s collection. Mor’s partner had
the most eclectic taste in all of Canawba County. Could Vernum have
been the one walking out in the woods? If he had, why hadn’t he
identified himself when Steven had called out to him? That was a
question he wouldn’t have to ask. Vernum was notoriously shy, and
Alex doubted he would respond to any hail or summons coming from a
stranger.

In the morning, Alex promised himself that
the two of them would have a long talk, even if Alex had to sit on
him to make Vernum stay in one place long enough for more than
three words! The man’s shyness was astounding!

He was still smiling at the image of pinning
Vernum down for their dialogue when he walked back into the inn.
Steven was at the desk with one hand on the telephone, poised to
pounce on the numbers.

“
Did you see anything? Was
he still out there?”

“
Whoever or whatever it was
is long gone now,” Alex said as he switched off his flashlight.
Somebody was out there in the woods. You’ve got to believe me,
Alex; I’m telling the truth.”

Alex said, “I believe you,” as sincerely as
he could muster. “Most likely it was just my landscaper. Vernum is
extremely shy; I doubt he’d answer his own mother if she called
him.”

“
And if it wasn’t him?”
Steven pressed.

Alex said, “Sometimes people from town come
out here and run the trails at night.”

“
In the dark? And why
didn’t they identify themselves when I called out?”

“
They could have had
headphones on, or be lost in their own thoughts. I’m certain
there’s a logical explanation for it, Steven.”

The young man shook his head. “I’m still not
leaving the inn by myself after dark from here on out.”

“
I understand
completely.”

Steven moved to the stairs, then paused and
said, “I understand there’s going to be a wake for your uncle here
tomorrow night. I’ll do my best to get my sister and mother out of
the inn so you can have some time alone to grieve.”

Alex was touched by the gesture. “You are
all invited, Steven. It’s going to be a celebration of his life.
That’s the way he wanted it. You never got the chance to meet Jase,
but I can tell you, he embraced the world. I’m sure he would have
invited you all himself, if he could have. Jase always was one who
believed the more the merrier.”

Steven looked uncomfortable. “But still, I
can’t help feeling we are somewhat responsible. After all, it was
Father’s will that led to his death. How can we show our faces at
the man’s wake?”

“
You can’t blame yourself,”
Alex said, adding to himself, Unless you’re the one who killed
him.

Steven looked as if he was about to say
something else when his sister came down the stairs. “I thought I
heard your voice. Steven Trask, where have you been?”

“
Ashley, I needed to get
away for awhile.”

She said, “The next time you feel the urge
to just walk off, tell me where you’re going first. I was worried
sick about you.”

Steven replied, “I guess there’s a first for
everything, isn’t there?” He turned back to Alex and said, “Good
night, and thanks for your kind offer.”

“
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,