Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [12]
Alex asked, “You sure you aren’t just ducking out before Tony gets downstairs?”
Mor grinned. “That, too.” The smile disappeared as he added, “Listen, if there’s anything I can do, you just let me know.” He hugged Alex fiercely, then released him just as quickly. It was the way of the true Southern men he knew, mostly uncomfortable with embraces, but offering them when they were needed. Mor was one of the small circle of Alex’s true friends, someone he could call at three a.m. and know that the man would come running without a single question why.
Just like a real brother should do.
Alex was still staring at the papers spread out on his desk, not really seeing them, as he was lost in his thoughts of Jase, when Tony walked in.
“This can wait if you’ve got work to do, Alex. Believe me, I know what it’s like to be stuck behind a wall of paperwork.”
Alex looked up and said, “No, we need to take care of this today. Sandra’s expecting us at her office, and we’ve got to swing by the funeral home, too.”
Outside, Alex headed for his old Ford pickup, but Tony pointed to his BMW. “Why don’t we take my car? To be honest with you, I’m not sure I want to ride around in that truck of yours.”
Alex reluctantly slid into the passenger seat of the silver sportster. It was close enough to Sandra’s to be its twin, and he marveled that she’d ever ended up dating him instead of his older brother. Truth be told, the two of them had a lot more in common than she and Alex ever had.
Tony said, “Now this is what I call a smooth ride. It beats that old jalopy of yours, doesn’t it?”
Alex said, “It’s never let me down yet, and my truck’s got real character.” He’d promised himself to do his best to get along with Tony, no matter what.
Tony held up one hand. “Just kidding. I haven’t seen old man Crassey in years. I guess he’ll be handling the funeral arrangements. He’s the only man I ever knew who owned six black suits.”
“You haven’t heard? Jack’s running the mortuary now, Tony.”
“So the old man finally retired and let his son take over. Did Crassey move to Florida like he’d always threatened to?”
Alex shook his head sadly. “Nothing as happy as all that. He died two years ago in a car wreck. I fired up the Fresnel lens for him the night of the funeral just long enough to keep from getting into trouble with the town council. A lot of the older town residents still think of it as a sign of respect.”
“It’s too bad the old guy didn’t make it to live out his dream. I always liked him. Well, here we are.”
They parked in front of Sandra’s law office, a quaint old house with gingerbread trim and scalloped shingles painted in Victorian hues. The building was right on Main Street, down a block from Shantara’s General Store and across the road from Irene’s beauty parlor. To Dye For was painted a bright shade of neon blue, in stark contrast with Sandra’s more traditional color choices.
Alex heard someone calling his name as he got out of the BMW.
It was Sheriff Armstrong, just across the street at the beautician’s. “Alex, got a minute? I need a word with you.”
Alex turned to his brother. “Tony, why don’t you go ahead and get started with Sandra. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”
After Tony disappeared inside Sandra’s building, Alex walked over to Armstrong and asked, “Any leads on Jase yet, Sheriff?”
To Alex’s surprise, he nodded. “Irene found something odd, and she wanted you to have a look. She’s doing Mrs. Grishaber’s perm right now. I know this isn’t the best time in the world for you, but I could use a minute if you’ve got it to spare.”
Alex knew he needed to be with Tony in Sandra’s office, but what he wanted more than anything else was to help find Jase’s killer.
Tony would just have to get along without him.
“I’m right behind you.”
Chapter 5
Irene Wilkins was Elkton Falls’ crime scene investigator as well as the owner of To Dye For, the biggest beauty shop in town. Alex had been skeptical about her criminology abilities