Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [63]
“Alex, she could have run over here and set the fire before we could drive the distance in your truck. You said yourself how close the two places really are. I’m afraid she’s still on the list.”
Alex sighed. “So we’re right back where we started.”
Elise said, “I wouldn’t say that. There’s one thing we know for sure. Tony didn’t have anything to do with the fire. Even Armstrong should be able to see that.”
“You’ve got a point, but I’m not sure Armstrong will believe the fire is related to Jase’s murder.”
As they neared the inn, Elise said, “So what do we do now?”
“Tell you what. After we get cleaned up, why don’t you talk to Steven, and I’ll focus on Cynthia. If we can split them up, maybe we’ll be able to get more out of them.”
“Cynthia, can you spare a minute?” After Alex and Elise had taken showers and changed, they had spotted Cynthia and Steven in the lobby, sharing a whispered conversation. Elise had agreed to hang back while Alex got Cynthia’s attention before taking her turn with Steven.
“I’m busy at the moment,” Cynthia snapped.
“Whenever you get the chance then,” Alex said as he drifted back to the reservation desk.
Cynthia said, “Are you going to just hover there until we’re finished?”
Alex said, “Sorry,” then moved into his office. Elise joined him a few minutes later. She said, “You’re not going to believe this. Cynthia just ordered me out of the lobby when she saw me waiting for you.”
“She threw me out, too, and I own the place. What do you think is going on out there?”
“I wish I knew. I can’t stop thinking about Julie. I wonder how she’s doing?”
Alex pointed to the telephone. “Why don’t you call the hospital and find out? I’d like to know myself.”
Elise scooted the phone over to him. “Would you do it?”
Alex nodded, then looked up the number and dialed. After a brief conversation with the information desk, he hung up and said, “She’s in serious but stable condition, that’s all they’d tell me.”
Elise said with a sigh, “At least she’s still alive. That’s something. I’ve got an idea how we might find out more about what’s going on over there.”
Elise took the phone and hit Redial, then asked for Amy to be paged. After a moment, she asked again, then had a brief conversation with the sculptor. The look of relief on Elise’s face was apparent.
After she hung up, Elise said, “Amy just talked to the doctor. It looks like Julie’s going to be all right.”
“Thanks to you,” Alex said.
“I seem to remember somebody else there, too.”
Alex nodded. “Okay, we both did good. I’m just glad we came along when we did. Let’s not mention the fire to the Trasks yet. We might be able to use it.”
Without warning, Cynthia Shays-Trask burst into Alex’s office. “What’s this I hear about your brother being arrested for the attorney’s murder? Did he say what he did with the will? I still don’t understand why he took it in the first place, but we would greatly appreciate it if he would return the document to us.”
Alex said, “I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken. Tony didn’t kill Jase.”
Cynthia eyed him narrowly. “But he is currently in jail for the crime, isn’t he?”
Elise said calmly, “He’s being questioned by the police, but we’re certain he’s innocent.”
Cynthia patted Elise’s arm. “Of course you are, dear.” She turned to Alex. “If it turns out to be otherwise, I meant
what I said.” She looked at Alex a moment, then added, “Now, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
Elise took her cue beautifully “If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do,” she said as she escaped, no doubt off her search of Steven.
Alex gestured to the empty chair. “Please, sit down.”
Cynthia said, “This won’t take long, will it? I need to speak further with my son.”
“Is there something wrong?” Alex asked.
“That faux daughter is not going to steal my children’s inheritance. We’re working out our strategy to stop her, and I think we’ve come up with something.”
Alex blurted out, “Don’t you even care that she’s in the hospital?” So much for keeping that information a secret.
Cynthia’s