Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [54]
“When was it dated?” Alex asked.
Nadine looked at the entry, then said, “Right after Tony’s last visit.” She stared at the paper, refusing to meet his gaze is she added, “Less than a week ago.”
Alex had so many questions ripping through his head, he wasn’t sure which one to ask first. “Obviously Jase didn’t get the opportunity to write a new will. Nadine, I thought you said that the last time Tony was here was over a month ago.”
Nadine kept studying the papers in front of her, refusing to meet his gaze, and Alex knew she wasn’t telling him everything. “What is it? What are you holding back?”
Nadine sighed, then said, “Alex, I’m afraid I haven’t been exactly forthright with you. Your brother came to see Jase four days before the murder. It was late at night, and I was already halfway down the street when I realized I’d left my purse on my desk. I started back toward the office, but then I saw that your uncle wasn’t alone anymore. He and Tony were arguing about money, and something told me those two men needed some time alone. Alex, I didn’t mean for you to know just how persistent Tony was about demanding his ‘share’ of your Uncle’s money. It was breaking Jase’s heart.”
Alex asked, “Did you tell Sheriff Armstrong about any of this?”
Nadine said, “I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Now I think I’ve done something horribly wrong.” Her voice was barely a whisper as she added, “Alex, I think your brother killed him.”
“This is too important to keep to yourself.”
“What are you suggesting, Alex? Do you honestly expect me to turn your brother over to the police?”
Alex said, “Nadine, do you think I want to believe he’s capable of this for one minute? It’s a nightmare for me, thinking that my brother could have killed Uncle Jase. But I can’t turn my back on the possibility that he did it. And if Tony killed him, he deserves to be punished for it, brother or not.”
Nadine looked as if she was about to cry. “Alex, you’re good at solving these things. Talk to your brother and poke around some more. Don’t just turn your back on him. He’s the only family you have left.”
“I can’t shield him if he’s a murderer,” Alex said.
“No, but if he’s not, you’re going to ruin him. You know that, don’t you? Alex, don’t do this for your uncle. Don’t even do it for Tony. Find the truth for yourself. It’s the only way you’ll be able to live with the outcome, no matter what it is. Keep digging,” she said with a fiery burst. “I have faith in you, Alex.”
“I’m glad somebody does.” Alex shoved the copies toward Nadine. “Put these somewhere safe, okay? And don’t mention this conversation to anyone else. I don’t want Tony to know you saw him coming back here after hours.”
Nadine looked taken aback. “Alex, you honestly don’t think I’m in danger from your brother, do you? My goodness, I was his teacher, too!”
“Just don’t take any chances, Nadine. I’ll call you later if I find anything else.”
She took his hand in hers and squeezed. “Alex, you’ll do the right thing. I know it in my heart.”
“I just wish I knew what the right thing was,” Alex answered.
“When you find it, you’ll know it. Good luck.”
He frowned, then answered, “I’ll need it. Lock your door after I’m gone, Nadine.”
“Oh, Alex, you worry too much.”
Still, he waited outside the office door until he heard the meaty click of the door locking behind him before he left.
Chapter 16
As Alex headed back to Hatteras West, he kept considering the possibility that his brother had killed their uncle. Could his greed have driven him to it? Sandra couldn’t have known anything about Jase’s intention to draft a new will; she would have said something to him. Could Jase have drafted a new document himself? Alex wondered if there had been more than one will in Jase’s safe the morning he was murdered. If his uncle told Tony about the change during a confrontation between