Innkeeping with Murder - Tim Myers [38]
“Just make sure they’re not the wrong toes. Okay, I don’t see what it can hurt by telling you. The report said the wound was similar to one an ice pick would make.”
Alex asked, “So what happens now?”
Hicking glanced down at his watch. “I’ve got a little time. Why don’t you show me the spot where your other guest fell.”
Armstrong said, “It’s a waste of time. It was an accident, pure and simple.”
Hicking’s stare at Armstrong wilted the man. “It’s my time to waste, and I’d like to see it. Do you have some urgent business elsewhere, Sheriff?”
“Nothing as important as this.”
Hicking leaned near Armstrong and lowered his voice, though Alex was still able to make out the SBI man’s words. “Find something.”
Armstrong nodded. “On second thought, I think I’ll stay here and monitor the radio.”
Alex remained silent as he and Hicking walked down the path toward the rocks. Having the SBI man on the premises made Alex suddenly feel an odd loyalty to the sheriff. Elkton Falls was all the family Alex really had besides a brother he hardly ever saw, and while Alex himself had questioned Armstrong’s competence on several occasions, he wasn’t sure how he felt about an outsider coming in.
As the two men walked, Hicking said, “Is Miss Danton seeing anyone special right now?”
Alex felt the hair bristle on the back of his neck. So that’s why the patrolman had wanted a few moments alone with Alex. He wanted to ask about Elise.
Stiffly, Alex replied, “I understand she’s engaged, but it’s really none of my business.”
Hicking accepted Alex’s statement. “I figured she was too pretty to be free.” After a moment, he added, “Where are these rocks, anyway?”
“They’re just up around the bend.”
As Alex and Hicking turned the corner through a stand of thick trees, they got their first glimpse of Bear Rocks.
The rock formation was solid granite, worn away by the elements until the area was nothing but two acres of
intriguing gray stone shapes. The formation was pocketed with holes and slides worn into the rocks, making it a spectacular playground for the young and agile. Alex had grown up on the rocks, dodging in and out of formations like a mountain goat. The stones became Indian forts, tree houses and deserted islands for Alex. He looked at the formations as a set of good friends, each one having its own shape and personality.
The state trooper whistled under his breath. “My God, it’s no wonder someone fell off one of these stones. It’s a miracle she didn’t kill herself doing it.”
Alex turned to Hicking. “Emma Sturbridge is a seasoned rockhound. She’s used to terrain a great deal rougher than this. I can’t imagine her falling.”
Hicking turned away and headed back down the path toward the inn. “Unless you turn up a witness or Mrs. Sturbridge wakes up, I’ve seen enough. It was an accident, Mr. Winston, nothing more. Take my advice, don’t borrow trouble.”
Alex walked silently with the patrolmen back to the waiting cruiser. He still couldn’t believe Emma could have fallen from the rocks, but he was getting tired of trying to convince everyone else.
They had just cleared the path when Alex heard a car horn. He spotted Armstrong leaning inside the cruiser with his hand on the center of the steering wheel.
Armstrong said, “Sorry to interrupt, but there’s an accident out on Highway 321. I’ve got to handle it.”
Hicking merely nodded. He offered his hand to Alex. “I’m sorry I can’t stay, but we’re overwhelmed with work due to the department budget cuts. The sheriff will let you know if we find out anything else.”
Hicking moved around to the patrol car’s passenger
side and got in. As the two law officers drove away, Alex realized that he’d received all the cooperation he was going to get out of the police. It looked like he was going to have to find Reg Worthington’s killer himself. Why did everyone choose to discount Emma’s fall as accidental? Sure, Bear Rocks could be treacherous at times, especially during a rainstorm, but the rocks had been dry when Emma had fallen. What could she have seen or known that would have been worth