Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [11]
With Cynthia Shays-Trask, he didn’t really care which group she belonged to; all he knew was that she could have had something to do with his uncle’s death.
“What I do here at Hatteras West is my business,” he said briskly, trying to skate past her.
“When it concerns my family, it becomes my business,” she said forcefully.
Alex said, “You heard Sandra; Julie is a part of your family now. Your son and daughter have a half sister, whether any of you have the decency to acknowledge it or not.”
Cynthia’s eyes flared. “So you don’t deny it? You are in league with that tart?”
Alex said flatly, “The only thing I care about is who killed my uncle. Not that it’s any of your business, but Julie needed someone to talk to today, and I happily obliged. I don’t have the slightest interest in getting involved in your family’s problems. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do.”
Alex tried to get around her, but Cynthia put a hand lightly on his arm. There was a look of repentance on her face, though Alex couldn’t help wondering if it was rehearsed. There was even something that rang false about the woman’s indignation.
“Alex, forgive my outburst. I forgot how you must be grieving. It’s just that when my children’s welfare is at stake, I can be a bit of a mother bear. Again, please forgive me.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Alex said, trying to keep his tone level. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really must get to work. I’ve got a funeral to plan.”
Was that a glimmer of real guilt peeking through Cynthia’s carefully constructed facade? It happened too quickly to tell, gone as fast as it had appeared. She said, “I am truly sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks,” Alex muttered as he finally escaped and headed for the refuge of his tiny office.
Alex found Mor Pendleton sitting behind his desk, his feet propped up on top of a stack of paperwork and leaning back in his chair.
Mor stood up abruptly when Alex came in. “Sorry to hear about Jase. Anything I can do?”
Alex said, “Thanks, but Tony’s helping me with everything. He’s up in room ten now, unpacking.”
“And how is he? I was surprised when I saw him in town last week. At least I thought it was him.” There was still a hint of steel in Mor’s voice whenever he talked about Tony.
“He’s the same as always, but you’ve got to be wrong about Tony being in Elkton Falls. It would take an act of Congress to get him back here. I’m just sorry it took Jase’s murder. Enough of that. How’s bachelor life treating you now that Emma has deserted you?” Mor had been dating Alex’s resident gem hunter, Emma Sturbridge, since she’d moved to town. They’d come close to breaking it off earlier but had somehow managed to patch things back together well enough to continue their relationship.
“Emma called yesterday. She got to Georgia just fine. Why she has to go prospecting for gold all the way over there when we’ve got gold in North Carolina is beyond me. That lady’s actions defy all logic. I just don’t understand women.”
Alex smiled slightly. “Well, if you ever do, be sure to share your wisdom with me.”
Mor laughed. “You’ll be the second to know.” His expression turned somber as he asked, “You want me to call her back home, what with all that’s going on here?”
As comforting as it would be to have Emma Sturbridge nearby, Alex decided it wouldn’t be fair to bring her back from her first vacation since she’d moved to Elkton Falls. “No, I’ll be okay.”
Mor glanced at his watch. “Just thought I’d ask. Well, I’d better take off. Les wants to talk about something over lunch. It’s got to be serious; he even offered to pay.