Innkeeping with Murder - Tim Myers [54]
The sheriff idly fingered his badge. “There’s a rumor going around town that you threw Finster off your land this very afternoon. I hear it got ugly.”
Elise snapped, “You don’t believe Alex killed him, do you? I’ve only been in town a few weeks, and I’ve already heard of several people who would be more likely to skewer the realtor than Alex would.”
Armstrong shrugged. “I don’t suppose you have an alibi for this afternoon, do you, Alex?”
Alex looked at the floor. “Actually, I spent the better part of it alone out on Bear Rocks. No one saw me during the hours you’re talking about, at least not to my knowledge.”
The sheriff nodded. “Those granite stones can be mighty comfy, can’t they? You sat around there all afternoon, that’s what you’re telling me?”
That was all Alex was going to stand for. “Unless you’re ready to make an arrest, I suggest you leave the property.”
Armstrong headed for the door, but turned back before going through. “Throwing people out is getting to be a habit with you, isn’t it, Alex. When I’ve got more questions, I’ll be back. Let me tell you one more thing before I go. I know you don’t think much of my detecting abilities, but one fact you can take on faith. If you killed Finster, I’m going to catch you, and I promise you here and now that I’ll make sure they nail your hide to the wall.”
Elise stepped up. “Spare us the dramatics, Sheriff, and go find the real killer.”
The sheriff walked out, and Elise moved back to Alex. After he was gone, Elise said, “What a ridiculous idea. How could anyone seriously believe you killed that man?”
Alex shook his head. “I don’t know what’s happening around here. It used to be such a quiet, peaceful little town.”
“I seem to have brought a lot of trouble with me. Maybe I should have gone back to West Virginia instead of coming here.”
Alex touched her arm lightly. “Elise, you’re the only good thing to come out of this whole mess. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t showed up when you did.”
“You’d still be drying Marisa’s tears, probably. Life would go on.” She stifled a yawn. “I’m beat. I’ll see you in the morning, Alex. Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out.”
Alex stayed on in the lobby, searching for answers in the dying embers of the fire. He finally got up to make his last circuit of the property, something he did every night before going to sleep. Out on the porch, Alex could smell remnants of the fire in the cool evening air. He thought about going out to check the lighthouse doors to make sure they were locked, but he wearily decided that if another body was anywhere on the property, he didn’t want to find it.
Not tonight, anyway.
Chapter 17
Alex found Elise polishing the front desk when he came out the next morning. “I’ve got to check on Junior and see how he’s holding up,” he said. “Do you mind taking care of things here until I get back?”
She shook her head. “Even if we never get another guest, there’s enough work around here to last me a month.”
“Elise, maybe you should come into town with me. I don’t feel right leaving you out here alone while there’s a killer on the loose.”
“Alex, I’m not going to run and hide just because there’s a possibility of danger. Nobody’s going to bother me here. Besides, I’ll be around people all day.”
“I could at least get someone to stay out here with you while I’m gone.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, Alex.” Her brave front slipped for a moment. “Just come back before it gets dark.”
He nodded solemnly. “I promise.”
After saying a final good-bye, Alex headed into town to see if the sheriff was still questioning Junior.
As he neared the entrance to one of the property’s walking paths, Barb Matthews tried to wave him down, but he pretended he hadn’t seen her. There was no way Alex had the stomach to deal with the sour old woman today. He caught a glimpse of her in his rearview mirror, shaking her cane at him as he sped away.
Alex’s thoughts went back to Junior. He hoped the line of questions hadn’t gotten too intense for Reg’s son.
At the