Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [30]
“Ashley, I needed to get away for awhile.”
She said, “The next time you feel the urge to just walk off, tell me where you’re going first. I was worried sick about you.”
Steven replied, “I guess there’s a first for everything, isn’t there?” He turned back to Alex and said, “Good night, and thanks for your kind offer.”
“Good night,” Alex said.
He was surprised when Ashley didn’t follow her brother up the stairs. Instead, she walked down and joined him near the desk. If she was indeed so worried about Steven, why hadn’t she followed him back to his room?
It was clear there was something on her mind, but Alex wasn’t sure he cared what it was at that moment. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would come early enough.
He said, “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll say good night now.”
She touched his arm lightly. “Alex, I’m concerned about Steven. He hasn’t been acting irrationally around you, has he?”
“What do you mean?”
Ashley said, “I’m afraid he’s going to hurt himself. He’s been depressed lately, and with your uncle’s death, I’m afraid it’s pushing him off the deep end.”
Alex said, “He seems fine to me.”
Ashley nodded, then said, “Steven’s a master at disguising how he feels, but believe me, he’s in real pain. I just wish he would listen to me and get help before it’s too late.”
“You’re that concerned about him? What does your mother think?”
Ashley shook her head. “Mother has a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to her youngest. She thinks the sun rises and sets by her precious baby boy.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Ashley. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
She touched his arm lightly. “Thanks, Alex, I’ll do that. Just keep an eye on him, could you do that for me please?”
Alex stifled a yawn, then said, “I’ll do what I can. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day.”
“Forgive me for keeping you up, Alex. Do you mind if I go through your bookshelves and find something to read? I can’t fall asleep without reading.”
He said, “Help yourself. I’ve got everything from poetry to mysteries to short story anthologies to history to biographies.”
She smiled. “Surely I’ll be able to find something with all that available. Good night, Alex. And thanks. I feel better just talking to someone about my brother.”
“Happy to help.”
As Alex got ready for bed, he wondered if it could be true that Steven was so depressed. The man hadn’t acted like it since he’d been at the inn, but what did that prove? Alex knew it could go well beyond the surface, and Ashley did seem genuinely concerned about her brother. Should he keep an eye on Steven, try to make sure he didn’t do anything rash? No, as much as Alex would like to think that he was lord and master of the Hatteras West Inn, he knew that he couldn’t protect everyone there, especially from themselves. All he could do was be the best host he could, giving his guests every opportunity to have an enjoyable time at the inn. After that, it was up to them.
Alex took out the three items he’d brought with him from Jase’s house. Putting the box aside for a moment, Alex leafed through the papers tucked neatly in Jase’s folder, wondering if there was some clue to the man’s death hidden inside. There were bills, neatly organized by when payments were due, a few credit card receipts, and a handful of letters waiting to be answered, but no sign of any legal documents at all. Alex grew excited as he skimmed through the envelopes, hoping to find one with a torn flap, but all had been neatly slit open with a letter opener. From a quick glance at the contents, there was nothing of interest there, and Alex felt like a voyeur going through his uncle’s personal papers. Alex picked up the book he’d taken off Jase’s nightstand, opened it to the introduction and started to read. His gaze kept drifting back to the collectibles box, and Alex could resist the temptation no more. He spread out his uncle’s treasures on the bed in front of him, finding a few new stones he’d never seen before, a tie clip