Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [10]
Alex couldn’t deny that. The money from his insurance policy had barely covered some of the new furniture he’d needed, but Alex wasn’t about to admit to his brother that there was the possibility of an emerald-rich vein somewhere on the property. He knew what Tony’s reaction would be without even asking; dump the inn and sell the land for all he could get. He’d never felt the pull Alex did for Hatteras West.
Tony looked out the nearest window and said, “Some homeless guy’s out there, Alex. You really should run him off before he drives your guests away.”
Alex laughed. “That’s my arborist. His name is Vernum, and he’s a whiz at landscaping, too.”
“You never could resist taking in strays, could you? You’re just as soft as Mom was.”
“Thanks, that’s nice of you to say,” Alex replied, intentionally misinterpreting the jab in the comment.
Elise walked in with an armful of fresh towels. She put them on one corner of the check-in desk as Tony moved toward her. “You must be Elise Danton. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” For a second, Alex thought Tony was going to kiss her hand, but he somehow managed to restrain himself.
Elise smiled lightly. “It’s nice meeting you, Tony.”
Tony said smoothly, “Alex was just going to show me to my room, but if you’ve got a second, I’d much rather have you take me.”
Elise retrieved the towels, then said levelly, “I think you should go with Alex. I know you two have a lot to discuss.”
Alex tried to hide his smile. Sometimes he forgot how stunning Elise was, with her long chestnut hair and gentle green eyes. She was an old hand at rebuffing advances, and she’d sized Tony up in a heartbeat.
As she walked away, Tony said, “I’m starting to see why the inn life is so appealing to you, Alex.”
Alex brushed his brother’s comment off with a wave of his hand. “You’re out of your league, Tony. Her fiancé’s just moved to Elkton Falls, and he’s got more money and charm than either one of us will ever manage in a lifetime.”
Tony smiled broadly. “Ah, but she’s not married yet, now is she? You know how I love a challenge. I’m not giving up that easily.”
“You never did,” Alex said, shaking his head. Some things never changed, and his brother was at the top of the list. There was no denying Tony could be charming when it suited him, but he doubted his brother could make an impression on Elise. It might even be fun to watch, Alex thought as he showed his brother to his room. Though Tony knew the place as well as Alex did, the innkeeper’s instinct in him demanded he escort his brother.
Alex asked, “Do you want to get settled first, or should we go into town and take care of the arrangements for Jase’s funeral now?”
“I didn’t think you could leave the inn,” Tony said as he started unpacking his bag.
Alex said, “Elise can handle things while I’m gone. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to get this over with as quickly as we can.”
Tony agreed. “It’s probably the best thing to do. Uncle Jase never was fond of drawing things out. Let me grab a quick shower, and I’ll be ready to go in twenty minutes.”
“I’ll meet you in my office downstairs. I’ve got some work I need to do before we go.”
Tony smiled. “That’s my little brother, ever diligent. See you soon.”
Before Alex could get within a hundred feet of his office, Cynthia Shays-Trask cornered him in the lobby “Mr. Winston, I need to speak with you. It’s rather urgent.”
“What can I do for you, Ms. Trask?”
“I don’t know how to put this delicately, but this is the time for boldness. I saw you with your arms around that imposter at the top of your odd little lighthouse earlier today, and I want you to know that I won’t stand for any foolishness from you butting into my family’s business. Do you understand me?”
If there was one thing Alex was generally good at, it was dealing with people. He had learned long ago that there were