Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [20]
Alex lifted his glass, then paused. “I made my share of mistakes when we were dating, too.” He moved his glass toward her. “Why don’t we drink a toast, celebrating our friendship?”
Sandra nodded, and their glasses clinked together gently. “To friendship.”
After a pleasant meal, Sandra drove Alex back to the inn, refusing a cup of coffee as a nightcap by pleading an early court date the next day.
Alex walked into the inn to find Elise sitting in the lobby by herself. There was a fire in the fireplace, and it seemed to him that it crackled with more sparks as he joined her.
Elise said, “Good, you’re back. I’ve wanted to talk to you all day, but there never seems to be the chance.” Her words tumbled out in a rush.
Alex leaned back in his chair as he placed the items he’d collected at Jase’s on the table beside him. “How about now? I’m free if you are.”
Elise took a deep breath, then said, “Alex, it’s important for you to know that Peter came to Elkton Falls of his own accord. I did nothing to encourage him. In fact—”
“Elise, you don’t have to explain anything to me. I know you’ve got a personal life of your own. That’s allowed, you know,” he said, trying to ease the sudden tension between them.
Elise twisted a hair tie in her hands. “You’re more than just my boss, Alex; you’re my friend. The thing is—”
She didn’t get the chance to finish her sentence. Ashley Trask-Cooper took that moment to come downstairs. “Mr. Winston, there you are. I simply must have a word with you.”
“In a minute,” Alex said holding one hand up as he turned to Elise. “You were saying?”
“It can wait,” Elise said as she stood abruptly.
“Elise, it had to be important, or you wouldn’t have brought it up.”
“Alex, we can talk later.”
And before Alex could say another word, she was gone.
Chapter 7
“What is it, Mrs. Cooper?” Alex said with little attempt to hide his ire. He was upset that his conversation with Elise had been so curtly interrupted.
The woman standing before him was obviously used to being treated with more diplomacy than Alex was showing, but she didn’t let his abruptness faze her. Instead, a transformation much like her mother’s came upon her. Ashley Trask-Cooper was suddenly quite charming as she said in a soft, friendly tone, “Alex, I know we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, and I’d like to correct that right now. Call me Ashley; everyone else does. And I’ll call you Alex, if you don’t mind. It is Alex, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. So what can I do for you, Ashley?”
“Frankly, I’m worried about my brother. Have you seen him today?”
Alex said, “To be honest with you, I’ve been in and out most of the afternoon and evening. You might want to ask Elise if you’re really concerned. She’s been here at the inn all day.”
Ashley shook her head. “I’m sure it’s nothing. He’s probably just blowing off some steam. He’s certainly done it enough in the past. His moods can take such tortuous swings, and it’s been a tough day for all of us.”
Me, too, Alex added to himself. “I’m sure he’s fine,” Alex said aloud. At least Ashley’s mother had possessed the decency to feign sympathy over Jase’s death. Most likely Ashley was so wrapped up in her own little world that she didn’t even notice that Alex had just lost someone dear to him.
Ashley touched his arm briefly, then offered him a slight smile as she said, “Thank you, I feel better just having spoken with you. I’m sure I’m just being silly. Good night, Alex.”
“Good night,” he said as she headed back up the stairs to her room.
Alex was used to a certain breed of guests who wanted to be on a first-name basis with the staff, trying to kid themselves that they really did believe all people were created equal. The truth was, he had a sneaking suspicion that what they really believed was that some