Murder Checks Inn (Book 3 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries) (7 page)

Alex nodded. “That would be great.” He
paused a few seconds, then added seriously, “Mor, you need to do
what’s best for you, but if you decide to leave Elkton Falls, the
place just won’t be the same without you. I don’t know what I’d do
around here if you were gone.”

Mor was about to answer when Sandra pulled
up front in her BMW, parking behind Mor’s truck.

“
You two both look like you
just lost your best friends in the world.” She glanced at Alex a
second, then said, “Sorry, that wasn’t the best choice of words,
was it?”

“
Everything’s fine here,
Sandra,” Alex said. “We were just taking a break.”

She glanced at her watch. “Listen, if you
two are in the middle of something, we don’t have to go out
tonight. Do you want a rain check on dinner, Alex? We can make it
another time.” She paused, then added, “I just had another thought.
Mor, you’re welcome to come along and join us.”

The handyman stood and said, “No, thanks,
but Alex would love to go; I can hear his stomach grumbling from
here. I’ve got to get back to the shop.”

Alex said, “Give me a call later, okay?”

Mor walked down the last porch steps as he
said, “Sure thing. You two enjoy your dinner.”

After Mor was gone, Alex said, “Just let me
lock up, and I’ll be ready to go.” He searched his pockets for the
keys but couldn’t find them. “I’ll be right back. I think I left
the keys on the kitchen counter.

Alex found the keys in the bedroom and not
in the kitchen where he’d expected to find them, then picked up the
folder stuffed with papers from Jase’s desk, the collectibles box,
and the book he’d found on Jase’s nightstand. Somehow he felt that
it would help him hold onto his uncle a little longer, going
through the last things in the world Jase had touched.

Irma Bean met them at the door of Mama
Ravolini’s with a raised eyebrow. “Two for dinner?”

Alex nodded, and as Irma led them to their
table, she said, “So tell me, Alex, how is that wonderful Elise
Danton you have working for you?”

“
She’s fine,” he replied,
trying to kill that particular conversation before it got
started.

Irma wouldn’t let up, though. “I hope you’re
treating her right. My, the way that woman can cook! What an asset
she would be here in my kitchen.”

Alex tried to hide his smile as he saw
Sandra bite back a reply. Before she could get anything out, Alex
said, “She’s not leaving Hatteras West any time soon, Irma.”

Irma patted him on the cheek as he sat down.
“Good, that’s where she belongs.” Almost as an afterthought, Irma
added, “You two enjoy your meal.” As she started to walk away, she
turned back to Alex and said, “Be sure to give her my love.”

Alex agreed to do just that, then looked
quickly at Sandra as Irma disappeared into the kitchen. She said,
“That’s all I need, an Elise Danton commercial.”

Alex smiled as he said, “I don’t think she
means anything by it.”

“
Don’t bet on it, Alex,”
Sandra said as she returned Alex’s smile. “I think she means
everything by it.” She paused as their waiter immediately brought
them two glasses of wine and a bottle of Alex’s favorite, Chateau
Morrisette’s Sweet Mountain Laurel. It was from a vineyard in
nearby Virginia, and Alex kept hoping to get a few days off to take
a tour of the place someday. As the waiter poured, he said,
“Compliments of the management.”

The waiter added grandly, “Are you ready to
order, or would you like some time with your menus?”

“
I think we know what we
want,” Alex said as Sandra nodded her agreement. After they’d
placed their orders, Sandra took a sip of wine, then said with a
smile, “I don’t need Irma Bean rubbing my nose in the fact that
you’ve got a crush on Elise.”

Alex protested, “She’s engaged to someone
else. In fact, I just found out her fiancé is moving to Elkton
Falls to be closer to her.”

Sandra took another sip of wine, then said,
“Alex, Elise is never going to marry that man.”

“
Why do you say
that?”

Sandra put down her glass and looked into
his eyes. “If you ask me, she’s just as interested in you as you
are in her. Honestly, I wish you two would go out on a real date,
just so you can get it out of your systems. This pining away isn’t
doing either of you any good.”

Alex said awkwardly, “Sandra, you know
Elise’s presence didn’t have anything to do with our breakup. We
just—”

Sandra allowed herself a slight smile. “You
don’t even have to finish the sentence, Alex.” She patted his hand
as she added, “Our breakup was more my fault than it was yours. It
was just that I saw so much potential in you, I knew you could do
better than spending your life running an inn.”

Before Alex could interrupt, she said, “Let
me finish. Now I know that Hatteras West is where you belong. It’s
a part of you. I just wish it hadn’t taken me so long to realize
it.” She took another sip of wine, then said, “To be honest with
you, I’m kind of glad we’re not dating anymore. I like you much
better as a friend.”

Alex lifted his glass, then paused. “I made
my share of mistakes when we were dating, too.” He moved his glass
toward her. “Why don’t we drink a toast, celebrating our
friendship?”

Sandra nodded, and their glasses clinked
together gently. “To friendship.”

After a pleasant meal, Sandra drove Alex
back to the inn, refusing a cup of coffee as a nightcap by pleading
an early court date the next day.

Alex walked into the inn to find Elise
sitting in the lobby by herself. There was a fire in the fireplace,
and it seemed to him that it crackled with more sparks as he joined
her.

Elise said, “Good, you’re back. I’ve wanted
to talk to you all day, but there never seems to be the chance.”
Her words tumbled out in a rush.

Alex leaned back in his chair as he placed
the items he’d collected at Jase’s on the table beside him. “How
about now? I’m free if you are.”

Elise took a deep breath, then said, “Alex,
it’s important for you to know that Peter came to Elkton Falls of
his own accord. I did nothing to encourage him. In fact—”

“
Elise, you don’t have to
explain anything to me. I know you’ve got a personal life of your
own. That’s allowed, you know,” he said, trying to ease the sudden
tension between them.

Elise twisted a hair tie in her hands.
“You’re more than just my boss, Alex; you’re my friend. The thing
is—”

She didn’t get the chance to finish her
sentence. Ashley Trask-Cooper took that moment to come downstairs.
“Mr. Winston, there you are. I simply must have a word with
you.”

“
In a minute,” Alex said
holding one hand up as he turned to Elise. “You were
saying?”

“
It can wait,” Elise said
as she stood abruptly.

“
Elise, it had to be
important, or you wouldn’t have brought it up.”

“
Alex, we can talk
later.”

And before Alex could say another word, she
was gone.

Chapter 7

“
What is it, Mrs. Cooper?”
Alex said with little attempt to hide his ire. He was upset that
his conversation with Elise had been so curtly
interrupted.

The woman standing before him was obviously
used to being treated with more diplomacy than Alex was showing,
but she didn’t let his abruptness faze her. Instead, a
transformation much like her mother’s came upon her. Ashley
Trask-Cooper was suddenly quite charming as she said in a soft,
friendly tone, “Alex, I know we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot,
and I’d like to correct that right now. Call me Ashley; everyone
else does. And I’ll call you Alex, if you don’t mind. It is Alex,
isn’t it?”

“
That’s right. So what can
I do for you, Ashley?”

“
Frankly, I’m worried about
my brother. Have you seen him today?”

Alex said, “To be honest with you, I’ve been
in and out most of the afternoon and evening. You might want to ask
Elise if you’re really concerned. She’s been here at the inn all
day.”

Ashley shook her head. “I’m sure it’s
nothing. He’s probably just blowing off some steam. He’s certainly
done it enough in the past. His moods can take such tortuous
swings, and it’s been a tough day for all of us.”

Me, too, Alex added to himself. “I’m sure
he’s fine,” Alex said aloud. At least Ashley’s mother had possessed
the decency to feign sympathy over Jase’s death. Most likely Ashley
was so wrapped up in her own little world that she didn’t even
notice that Alex had just lost someone dear to him.

Ashley touched his arm briefly, then offered
him a slight smile as she said, “Thank you, I feel better just
having spoken with you. I’m sure I’m just being silly. Good night,
Alex.”

“
Good night,” he said as
she headed back up the stairs to her room.

Alex was used to a certain breed of guests
who wanted to be on a first-name basis with the staff, trying to
kid themselves that they really did believe all people were created
equal. The truth was, he had a sneaking suspicion that what they
really believed was that some were created just a little more equal
than everyone else. To be fair, there was also the much more
genuine type that wanted to be on a first name basis with the whole
world, the people who didn’t know any strangers; there were just
friends they hadn’t met yet. Mrs. Hurley, the home economics
teacher who taught adult education classes at night, was one such
person. She’d once been in a minor car accident while traveling in
Texas, and by the time she’d been discharged from the hospital,
she’s made a dozen new friends who visited her regularly in Elkton
Falls.

Alex ran into all types running the inn, and
he was thankful that on the whole, his guests were a wonderful,
friendly bunch who loved the lighthouse and grounds nearly as much
as he did.

After Ashley was gone, Alex found himself
wondering for the hundredth time why Mathias Trask had insisted on
the Hatteras West Inn as the place for the reading of his will.
Alex had never heard of the man, and he’d spent most of his life in
Elkton Falls. Mathias must have moved away when Alex’s mother and
father had been running Hatteras West.

Most likely the man had fallen in love with
the lighthouse as a boy and had wanted his family to share a last
moment with him there.

Alex could think of a whole host of worse
wishes to make.

The next morning, Alex and Elise worked
together in the laundry after cleaning the rooms. Since the loss of
the Dual Keepers’ Quarters, they found things went smoother if they
worked together doing the daily chores that were involved in
running an inn. Once the new building’s construction was complete,
they’d have to split up again to make the most efficient use of
their time, but for now, their days were mostly spent together.

Nothing was said about their truncated
conversation the night before, and Alex knew he’d have to give
Elise all the time she needed to bring it up again. Though they’d
never gone out on a single date, Alex knew her better than he had
most of the girlfriends from his past.

As Elise transferred the last load of sheets
from the washer to the dryer, she said, “Alex, do you mind if I
have this evening off?”

“
You’re long past due for
one. It’s fine with me,” he said as he kept folding fresh towels
he’d just taken from the dryer.

Elise explained, “It’s Peter. He wants us to
have dinner together tonight.”

Alex said, “I’m sorry, I can’t make it.
Somebody’s got to stay here and run the inn.” He saw the troubled
look in her eyes and added hastily, “I’m just kidding. Have a
wonderful time.”

Elise shut the door to the dryer as she
said, “I’m sure we’ll manage just fine.”

After that, their conversation waned. Peter
could manage that without even being there. He came between them
like a wall, shutting everything else out. Alex didn’t say anything
else; he just kept folding towels in a quiet rhythm. It was
remarkable how much laundry they did each and every day for just
one building full of guests. At least it meant the inn was nearly
full. It had to be, running as short on room space as they were.
Even with complete occupancy, they were still in danger of dancing
over into the red. Alex admitted that a healthy bequest of cash
from Jase would have eased some of his more immediate worries about
money, but he still took pride in the fact that his uncle had given
him his most cherished possessions, probably because he knew full
well that Alex would never sell a one of them. Tony, on the other
hand, would have had an appraiser in looking over the books before
sundown.

Elise finally spoke up. “Alex, are you all
right?”

“
I wish everyone would stop
asking me that.” He took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, Elise, I’ll
be fine,” he said, trying to act more together than he
felt.

She stopped him from folding the towel in
his hands and said, “I worry about you, Alex.”

“
I’m sorry if I’m not very
good company right now, but I feel like I’ve just lost my father
all over again. I’ve got to deal with it; I know that more than
anyone else in the world, but it’s hard.”

She nodded gently. “I know it is, and I’m
not helping matters, am I? Tell you what, why don’t I cancel my
plans with Peter tonight?”

“
Don’t, Elise, at least not
on my account. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got to get through
this on my own.”

“
Okay, but I’m here if you
need me,” Elise said as she paused at the door.

Alex said, “I know that, and I greatly
appreciate it. Believe me, I really do.”

As he finished folding the towels, Alex
pondered all that had gone on so recently. The loss of Jase, plus
the added pressure of running an inn with too few rooms, was all
starting to get to him.