Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [48]
Tony came up the stairs and said, “Hey Alex, got a second?”
“We’re in the middle of something right now,” Alex said.
Cynthia said, “Go on, Alex, I can handle this situation well enough. Goodness knows I’ve done it enough in the past.”
“I’d really rather stay,” Alex said firmly.
“You heard the lady; she can handle it.” Tony paused, then said, “Handle what?”
Alex said, “One of my guests spotted an intruder in her room.”
Cynthia said, “Alex, I’m certain my daughter was mistaken.”
Tony tugged at his sleeve. “Come on, Alex, this can’t wait.”
Alex reluctantly followed Tony downstairs after telling Cynthia he’d be right back. “What’s so urgent?”
“There’s been a change in plans. I’m leaving Hatteras West tonight. Let’s face it, Alex, chances are I won’t be back. I just thought you’d want to say good-bye one last time.”
Tony couldn’t leave, not while he was still a suspect. Alex didn’t even want to think about what it would mean to him on a more personal level. Though the two of them had never been close, if Tony left now, while Alex still hadn’t resolved his suspicions, the chasm would stay between them forever.
“You can’t go now,” Alex said.
“Why not? We held the send-off, and Sandra read the will; no offense, but there’s nothing left in Elkton Falls for
me. We didn’t get along as kids, and I don’t see that changing now.”
“Are you ready to give up the last chance we’ve probably got to make peace between us?” Alex asked softly. It was his trump card, the last thing he could say to keep Tony there.
Tony looked at his brother carefully, then said, “You really want me to stay?”
“I do,” Alex said sincerely.
“Okay, then, but I’m still leaving tomorrow night. No matter what. Alex, you’re a hard man to figure.”
Alex said, “Thanks for staying.”
Tony headed back upstairs to his room. “I was going to grab my bag and go after we talked. I guess I’ll go unpack.”
After Tony was gone, Alex felt a tremor of relief. At least he’d bought another twenty-four hours to find out if his brother was a murderer and hopefully clear the air between them if he wasn’t.
It wasn’t much time, but it would have to do.
First thing in the morning, Alex was going to have to push in several different directions and see which one pushed back.
Elise was already sweeping the lobby floor when Alex walked in the next morning.
“You’re getting an early start on things,” he said.
She said, “Alex, I need a favor.”
“You’ve got it,” Alex answered.
Elise stopped sweeping and studied him for a moment. “Don’t you even want to know what it is?”
“Elise, you wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important to you. Just tell me how I can help.”
She said, “I need to take off around ten this morning, and I won’t be back until sometime after five. I can still do the rooms before I go, at least the ones that are clear of guests.”
Alex asked, “Would it help to go now? I can take care of the rooms by myself today. Goodness knows you’ve covered enough for me lately.”
Elise said, “Why are you being so nice?”
Alex answered, “You’ve been running this place the last few days without any help from me. I figure you’re entitled to some time off. Do you want to borrow the truck?” Elise often did that when she wanted to run errands around Elkton Falls and beyond, since she didn’t have transportation of her own.
“No, Peter’s coming by to pick me up. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Alex wasn’t thrilled by the prospect of her disappearing with Peter, but she was a grown woman, engaged to the man, for goodness sake. She could do whatever she wanted. ‘Take all the time you need.”
She put the broom away and said, “Then I’ll call him now.” As she passed Alex, she said, “Thanks, I really do appreciate this.”
Alex nodded, and less than ten minutes later, Peter was at the door. It was a trend he wasn’t going to be all that thrilled about, the fact that Asheford was now only a quick phone call away.
Alex said, “Elise asked me to tell you she’ll be down in a minute or two.”
He tried to go back to his list, figuring out what order to attack it in since he was working