Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [23]
He nodded. “That explains why it was under such tight security.”
“Oh, Alex, that’s what’s so tragic about it all. The thief didn’t have to kill Jase; that safe hasn’t worked in donkey years. All you have to do is wiggle the handle, and it opens right up. It was more of a hiding place than a safe. Jase was always meaning to get the safe repaired, but he used to claim that he never had anything valuable enough to store in it to justify the expense. I don’t have to tell you that your uncle was a careful man with his money.”
Alex tried to fight the impulse to say that Tony was reaping the benefits of that tendency now. He had to remember that he’d inherited exactly what Jase had wanted him to have.
“So who do you think killed him, Nadine?”
She looked down at her desk, shook her head and said, “I wish I knew, Alex, I truly do. I firmly believe you have to consider the Trask will as the catalyst in all of this, since it’s the only thing I can find that’s missing. Taking that into account, it could have been Trask’s ex-wife or either of his children. It could have been Julie Hart, for that matter. The sheriff called a few minutes ago and had me check Jase’s personal appointment book. Julie was scheduled for an appointment the night before he died, but I didn’t know anything about it. Sheriff Armstrong is coming over here for the book.”
Alex asked, “Was that unusual for Jase to add appointments to the schedule without telling you about it first?”
Nadine frowned. “As far as I can remember, it’s never happened before. Our appointment books were usually identical.”
“Could you check and see if there were any other odd entries you can’t account for?”
“Of course. His book is still on his desk.”
Alex followed Nadine into Jase’s office. He could almost feel his uncle’s presence in the room, with its overstuffed chairs and the walnut desk that stretched nearly across one side of the space.
She picked up a leather appointment book and opened it to the day before Jase died.
Her voice was sharp and immediate as she said, “Alex, this isn’t right.”
“What isn’t?” Alex asked as he hurried to her.
“This notation for the appointment with Julie. It’s not in Jase’s handwriting. I knew there was something wrong about it before, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.”
Alex couldn’t believe it. “So whoever killed Jase was trying to set Julie up?”
“It looks like it to me. I was so rushed when the sheriff called, but I can’t believe I didn’t spot it right away. What are we going to do about it?”
Alex studied the entry and said, “It’s close enough to fool just about anybody. I can see how you missed it the first time you looked at it, Nadine. You need to point out the fact that the entry is a forgery when the sheriff gets here.” Alex closed the leather-bound book and handed it to her.
Nadine said, “Alex, now that I know this is such an important clue, I can’t stand the thought of it being here with me. What if something were to happen to it?”
“No one’s going to come looking for it,” Alex said. “Especially the forger. They want this appointment found, remember?”
“What if the killer gets cold feet and wants to retrieve the evidence? Alex, would you take it to the sheriff for me?”
He started to refuse the request, but one look at Nadine’s face told him that she was honestly in fear for her safety. , He reached for it and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he gets it.”
Her relief was obvious. “Bless you, Alex.”
As Alex tucked the appointment book under one arm, he added, “Do you have any idea where I can find Julie Hart?”
Nadine said, “From what I understand, her location is supposed to be a secret.”
Alex said, “Nadine, you’ve known me all my life. I shouldn’t have to assure you that I’m not going to hurt her.”
Nadine studied him a moment, then said,