Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [51]
He was nearly finished with the room when he noticed a book on the edge of Ashley’s nightstand. For a moment he thought it was the title he’d taken from Jase’s cottage, but when he looked closer, he saw that it was Treasure of the West, not The Treasure Below title he’d picked up there, or The Treasure in the Hills from Jase’s office. What was remarkable was that the three books came from the same series! What were the odds of that? Could this one have come from Jase’s library? Alex couldn’t remember if he’d handled the book himself; the titles had blurred after a while. It might even have been one that Mor packed.
Alex picked up the book and leafed through it, but there was no indication that it had ever belonged to Jase. His uncle didn’t go in for bookplates or inscriptions.
Alex was just setting it back down when a key turned the lock and the door opened.
Ashley said abruptly, “Alex, what are you doing in my room?”
Alex said smoothly, “Elise has the morning off, so I’m cleaning the rooms myself today. I was dusting the night-stand, and I accidentally knocked your book off. I’m afraid I lost your place.”
Ashley took the book from his hands as she said, “Oh, it’s some dreary thing I picked up at a dusty little bookshop in town to help me sleep. I’ve got to read something, or I can’t nod off at night.” She looked around the room. “I’m sorry it was such a mess before. I meant to clean it up myself before you got to it.”
Alex smiled. “Compared to a lot of my guests, you’re a neat freak. You weren’t able to spend much time at Bear Rocks, were you?”
“I decided to climb the steps of the lighthouse instead, so I came back for my running shoes. Care to join me?”
Alex said, “I wish I could, but I’ve got a lot of work still ahead of me.”
“A rain check, then.” She tucked the book in her travel bag, then said, “If you’ll excuse me?”
“Of course. I’m finished up in here.”
After Alex was out in the hallway, he headed straight for his room. Locking the door behind him, Alex looked up
Hannah Parsons’s number in the phone book. She ran Hannah’s Book Shoppe, the only bookstore in Elkton Falls.
Hannah, a happy octogenarian, answered on the first ring. “Why Alex Winston, how are you? I’m sorry about Jase. He was one of my best customers. Sorry I couldn’t make it out there, but I saw the light from my bedroom window! My, what a glorious sight!”
“Glad you liked it. Hannah, I’ve got a question. Do you remember a book titled Treasure of the West? It’s a hardback.”
“Oh, yes, I remember it well. I sold it to a lovely young woman heading out your way for her stay at the inn. Are you looking to acquire a copy of your own? I’m on the Internet now, you know; I could do a search for you.”
“No, thanks. I was just wondering.” So Ashley really had come by a copy of it legitimately.
Hannah added, “Jase bought a few of the books in that series himself. The Treasure Below and The Treasure in the Hills, if memory serves. That man loved to surround himself with books.”
So that mystery was solved. “Thanks Hannah, sorry to bother you.”
“No bother at all, Alex. Come see me next time you’re in town. I’ve got another lighthouse history book I’m holding for you, and there’s a new bed-and-breakfast mystery series I’ve found that’s quite nice.” Alex kept a great variety of lighthouse-themed books in his inn library, along with mystery series set in small inns. It seemed his guests loved those books almost equally.
“Okay, I’ll swing by next time I’m in town. Thanks again, Hannah.”
“You’re welcome, dear.”
So that was a dead end. For the moment, Ashley was in the clear.
For the moment.
Steven was ringing the small bell at the front desk as Alex started out of his own room. “Can I help you?” Alex asked.
Steven said, “Hi, Alex. Mother and I are going into town, and I was wondering if you could have your maid clean our rooms while we’re gone.”
“I’ll see to it,” Alex said.
“Good enough. I’ve got to run; she’s already waiting for ne in the car.”
After they were gone, Alex grabbed his ring of keys and did a quick sweep and cleanup of Steven