Innkeeping with Murder - Tim Myers [28]
Junior suddenly looked wide awake. “Did you find out who killed him?”
“The investigation is ongoing.”
After Alex stepped inside, Armstrong closed the door and leaned against it as if he were cutting off Junior’s escape route.
The sheriff said, “Where were you yesterday afternoon between the hours of three and five?”
Junior pointed to Alex. “I already told him. I was hiking the loop trail all afternoon.”
“And could I possibly see the clothes you were wearing on your little hike?”
Junior bristled at the suggestion. “Really, Sheriff, I don’t see why it’s any business of yours what I had on yesterday afternoon. What possible relevance could that have to my father’s murder?”
“You don’t have to cooperate, but I’ll be glad to get a warrant and search your room anyway. Now, are you going to help me find your father’s murderer, or are you going to get in my way?”
“Of course I want to find out who did it.” Junior turned and started rummaging in a pile of clothes at the base of his closet. After picking out a pair of pants and matching shirt that looked somewhat familiar to Alex, he turned back to the two men.
Armstrong took the clothes and started examining them closely. Alex could see from his vantage point that the back of the pants and one cuff of the shirt had grass stains and smudges of dirt that he was sure hadn’t been there the day before.
Alex stepped in. “Are you sure this is what you were wearing yesterday?”
“I know my own clothes.”
Armstrong shot Alex a withering look before speaking to Junior again. “On this hike, did anyone happen to see you?”
“I think I’m beginning to see where you’re going with this. Surely you don’t think I murdered my own father?”
The sheriff puffed out his chest. “Don’t act so surprised; it happens all the time. Why don’t you humor me? I repeat, did anyone see you while you were out on the trail?”
“Besides a few squirrels and a couple of mockingbirds, no one. Wait a minute, that’s not quite true. I happened upon a curious little woman scurrying along the path.”
“Will she verify seeing you?”
Junior frowned. “I don’t think so. She was so absorbed in her walk that she never looked my way. I was slightly embarrassed having been caught napping, so I remained silent while she passed me.”
Armstrong said, “So you don’t have an alibi. You’re not planning to leave the inn any time soon, are you Mr. Wellington?”
Junior’s back stiffened. “Not until my father’s murderer is found.”
Armstrong took the clothes Junior had claimed to have worn and started for the door.
“Where are you going with my things?”
“They’re possible evidence, Mr. Wellington. You’ll get them back after we’ve had a good look at them.”
Armstrong and Alex walked out of the room. Once the door was closed, the sheriff started in on Alex. “Clean outfit? Do you see these grass stains?”
Alex protested, “I’m telling you, he either pulled out the wrong clothes or he added the stains later. That outfit was clean when I saw him in it yesterday.”
Armstrong folded the clothes up, tucked them under his arm, then pointed to the next door. “Who’s in here?”
“That’s where the recently departed Miss Halloway was staying.”
“Don’t worry about her. I know where I can reach her if I need to. Who else is still staying at the inn?”
They moved to the next room across the hall. “The main quarters are empty, everyone’s in the annex at the moment.” Alex dreaded interrupting the occupant in room 6. He was sure Barb Matthews would not be pleased by the two men’s questions.
There was no reply to their knocking.
Armstrong said, “Open it up anyway.”
“Sheriff, my guests have a certain right to privacy in my inn.”
Armstrong paused for thought. Abruptly, he said, “Did you hear that?”
“What? I didn’t hear anything.”
The sheriff said, “Alex, I could have sworn I heard someone cry out for help. Open the door.”
Alex groaned softly as he opened the door with his pass key. His hands were shaking at the thought of catching the old