Innkeeping with Murder - Tim Myers [39]
He only hoped no one else got hurt before the murderer could be caught.
Chapter 12
Alex started to walk back into the annex, but found the door locked. A few sharp raps on the frame brought Elise to the front.
As she freed the bolt, Elise said, “Take off your shoes. I hope your socks are clean, because the floor’s not completely dry yet.”
Alex smiled. “You sound just like my mother.” He slipped off his shoes and walked into the lobby. A quick inspection of the floor showed it to be in the best shape Alex had ever seen it. Alex asked, “Have you seen Junior Wellington today?”
Elise nodded. “He came by when I was working on the floor. He wanted to know something about the gem hunting around here.” “What did you tell him?”
“I’ve never been myself, but I gave him one of the brochures from Emerald Valley Mining Company I found behind the desk. Is that all right?”
“That’s fine.” So Junior was going to do a little prospecting. Alex wondered if he was trying to learn a little gem identification on his own, and how it could relate to his father’s murder. It seemed an odd way to pass the time if the man was indeed in mourning. There were several suspects in Alex’s mind, but none ranked higher than Reg’s own son.
“Elise, you’ve been working hard. How would you like to take tomorrow morning off and do a little prospecting with me? You should learn something about local gemstone mining.”
Elise was quick on the uptake. “And if we happen to see Junior there, we can watch him and see what he’s up to, is that it?”
Alex stammered a little at her having seen through him so quickly. “I didn’t mean it as any kind of insult. I just thought—”
Elise interrupted. “It’s honorable that you’re trying to find out who murdered your friend. I’d be happy to go with you tomorrow, but what about our guests? Shouldn’t someone stay here for them?”
Alex took quiet pleasure in the way she said ‘our.’ “The way I see it, one is dead and another is in a coma. That leaves one angry man and one sour old woman. We’ll be following another guest around, so that’s the whole lot of them since Miss Ethereal left us. I think we’ll be fine.”
Elise tried again. “Then what happens if the sheriff or that SBI man wants to talk to you about something?”
Alex offered a smile. “Then they can go rockhounding with us,” he said, as he heard a car approach. Alex I glanced out the window and saw Sandra’s silver BMW, and from the expression on her face, he knew she’d already heard about Elise.
Sandra was still in the stylish gray suit she must have traveled in. Her short blonde hair was perfect, as always, and her skirt was just high enough to draw attention.
She smiled broadly at Alex, but when her gaze took in Elise, there wasn’t much warmth in it.
She hugged Alex at the front door and made a show of kissing him.
“Did you miss me?” she asked.
Elise started to step away when Alex broke free. “Sandra, I’d like you to meet my new maid. Sandra Beckett, this is Elise Danton. Elise, this is Sandra.”
Sandra took Elise’s hand as she looked her over and said, “It’s hard to believe you are part of the Danton clan.”
Elise said quietly, “It’s nice to meet you. Now if you’ll excuse me ...”
Sandra said, “Nonsense. I came to take Alex out to dinner. You simply must join us.”
“Thank you, but I’ve already made plans.”
Before Alex could say a word, Elise was gone.
Sandra said sharply, “I can’t believe she’s living here with you.”
“She’s my maid, Sandra. That’s all. By the way, I’m fine, thanks for asking.”
Sandra must have seen the storm clouds in his eyes. “I’m sorry. Alex, I just don’t want to see you taken advantage of. The poor thing doesn’t look like she’d be much of a maid.”
“She’s the best worker I’ve ever had at Hatteras West, Sandra.”
She waved a hand in the air, dismissing his comment. “I’m sure she is. Now why don’t you put on your best suit, and we’ll go someplace nice to celebrate my homecoming.”
“I don’t feel much like going out tonight,