Innkeeping with Murder - Tim Myers [27]
He found Elise mopping the front lobby as he came out of his room. Alex said, “Good morning. You’re getting an early start, aren’t you?”
Her smile was warm and genuine when she looked up from her work. “I’m just about finished. I like getting a jump on the day. Didn’t Marisa ever clean this beautiful wooden floor?”
“If she did, I never caught her at it.”
Elise stopped working and walked over to Alex. “What do you do about breakfast around here?”
Alex said, “There’s a kitchenette tucked in the back of my room. I’ve got eggs, milk and cereal; you’re welcome to whatever you want.”
Elise took a few final passes with the mop, then said, “Lead me to it.”
Alex was thankful he’d made his bed and straightened his room. It was probably silly, but he didn’t want his new maid to think that he was a messy housekeeper.
Elise headed straight to the kitchen and started rummaging through his meager pantry.
Alex said, “Marisa and I usually ate in shifts so somebody could be at the front desk. That’s where I’ll be if you need me.”
Elise brought her head out of the cabinet long enough to say, “Have you eaten yet?”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”
She said, “It’s no trouble. Alex, it’s as easy to make an omelet for two as it is for one.”
“You convinced me. I need to have a conversation with one of our guests, then I’ll be in need of a hearty meal.”
Elise frowned slightly. “Is there anyone left who doesn’t know about Reg’s death?”
“The one I’ve been dreading telling the most: Barb Matthews. I can’t imagine how she’s going to take the news. You know, I’m starting to have second thoughts about anyone staying here right now. The more I think about it, the less I like the idea of any of my guests being in jeopardy just because I want to make a few dollars. I’m going to do my level best without actually throwing them out to see if anybody will consider leaving the inn, at least until the murder is solved.” Alex excused himself and headed over to Barb Matthews’s room. Before he could knock on the door, he heard Sheriff Armstrong calling his name out front.
Back in the lobby, Alex asked, “Don’t you have any other crimes to investigate around here?”
Armstrong said, “Not like this one. I need to interview your guests this morning. Do you want me to interrogate them on my own, or would you like to come with me?”
Alex shuddered at the thought of imposing on his guests anymore, but he knew the sheriff was right. He only wondered why the man hadn’t interviewed them yesterday.
Alex said, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be with you when you talk to my guests. By the way, did Miss Halloway get out of town all right?”
Armstrong grinned slightly. “You don’t have to worry about her. I interviewed her last night over a piece of pie and a cup of coffee.”
“Mixing business with pleasure, Sheriff?”
Armstrong shrugged as he said, “I figured it was the only way I could get her story. That’s the official version, anyway.”
Alex said, “We may as well get started. Anybody in particular you’d like to speak to first?”
The sheriff thought about it for a moment before replying. “The son, I think. He seems the most likely suspect to me. You’re close to this, Alex. What do you think?”
Finally, the sheriff was asking his advice. “I believe Junior’s an excellent place to start. Let me tell you what I found out yesterday.”
Alex told the sheriff about Junior’s alibi and the pristine state of his clothes as the two men walked to Junior’s new room. Alex had moved the son promptly to a spot in the annex away from his father’s old room. That left the main house empty at the moment, and Alex had a sudden twinge of regret for his steadily decreasing bank balance.
It took four knocks to bring Junior Wellington to the door. Junior had managed to throw on a robe, but Alex could see he was still dressed in a pair of heavy flannel pajamas.
“What can I do for you, Alex? I don’t remember requesting a wake-up call.”
Armstrong stepped around Alex and entered the room uninvited.