Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [26]
Amy said, “That’s fine. It’s your decision. Listen, I’m walking back to the studio. I have to finish that sculpture for Clarion Industries.”
Alex said, “Ladies, I’d be glad to give you both a lift back.”
“And miss this fog? It’s a lot more fun walking,” Amy said.
Julie interjected, “I don’t mind riding, Amy. It’ll give us a chance to talk.”
Amy said, “Suit yourself then,” as she disappeared back into the mist, pulling the hood up as she vanished from sight.
Alex held the door open for Julie as she slid onto the seat. “Have you two known each other long?” he asked.
“Since college. We were roommates our freshman year. I was kind of surprised when that letter from your uncle came mentioning Elkton Falls. I’d been planning to visit Amy all along.” Julie turned in her seat and looked at Alex. “Listen, I’m sorry you’ve wasted a trip out here. I’ve decided to withdraw my claim on the estate. It’s just not worth it to me emotionally. If I’d known Mathias, even met him once, I might feel differently about it all, but I just can’t fight with his family for something I’m not all that sure I deserve. Honestly, I just want to get out of Elkton Falls and never come back.”
Alex said, “Don’t you think your father’s wishes should be honored?”
Julie said, “My father? I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, Alex. I can’t see that Mathias had any right to make that claim on his deathbed; he was never there for me when he was alive, not once in all those years.”
It was a point Alex couldn’t argue. He and his own father, though they’d gone through some rocky times in their relationship, had carried a strong bond between them that went well beyond a mutual love for their lighthouse in the mountains.
Alex decided it was time to bring Julie up to speed on the latest developments in town. After telling her about the forgery in Jase’s appointment book, he said, “You realize you’re a suspect in Jase’s murder, don’t you? How is it going to look if you just take off? Armstrong’s not going to like it.”
The idea was obviously something Julie hadn’t considered. “Oh, Alex, I could never have killed your uncle. We never met, but the time I spoke with him on the telephone, he was extremely nice to me. How can anyone think I could do such a thing?”
“That listing in Jase’s appointment book the night before he was killed looks bad to Armstrong.”
Julie said, “I gathered as much from what the sheriff said when he came out here this morning, but I swear, I never had an appointment with him, that day or any other.”
Alex nodded. “I believe you. Jase’s secretary and I compared the handwriting, and someone besides Jase put your name in that book. It looks like someone’s trying to frame you for murder. You must be a real threat. Don’t you see that?”
“It just doesn’t make sense,” Julie said as Alex crept down the lane.
He took a deep breath, then said, “I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but I’m going to say it anyway. Julie, shouldn’t you consider the possibility that you do have a stake in all this? Mathias asked you to come here to meet the rest of his family, your family, when it comes right down to it. I’m not making excuses for his abandoning you, but it does look like he truly wanted you to share in his wealth. I don’t think it’s just about the money though, or he could have sent you a check and been done with it. Wouldn’t you like to have a connection with someone you’re related to by blood? Isn’t it worth another try?”
They rode in silence a few minutes until Alex’s head-lights picked up Amy’s welding shop and studio through the breaking fog, a converted barn that had once housed cattle. Alex turned off the engine but made no move to get out.
Julie finally said, “You know, maybe you’re right. Alex, Mathias Trask thought of me as his daughter, and he wanted me to have a share of his family and his estate. It would be wrong of me to deny him his final wish.”
Alex nodded, then tried to get out fast enough to open Julie’s door, but she beat