Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [75]
Alex smiled broadly from across the room. “Try to have your wedding anywhere else. Just tell me when.”
“One month from today, and everyone’s invited to the party,” Mor said as the crowd roared again. As people filed past them offering their congratulations, Alex tapped Elise on the shoulder. He asked, “So you’ve known about this for a week?”
Elise grinned. “Are you kidding? I’m the maid of honor.”
Alex said, “I don’t even know which side of the aisle I’m supposed to sit on.”
Elise started to say something when Mor joined them. “Alex, got a second?”
“Sure thing. Congratulations.” He slapped the big man on the back.
“Thanks. Listen, sorry to spring it on you like that, but Emma and Elise cooked this all up. You don’t mind having the wedding here, do you?”
“I couldn’t think of a better place for you to have it,” Alex said. “I’m honored.”
“That’s great. While I’m on a roll, let me push my luck a little more, then. How about being my best man?”
Alex grinned. “I’d be happy to.” A cloud crossed his face as he added softly, “Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong?” Mor asked. “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
“It’s not that, I’m honored you want me. I just realized I’ll have to make another speech if I’m going to be your best man.”
Mor pounded him gamely on the shoulder. “You’ll do fine. Look at all the practice you’ve been getting lately.”
After the reception was over, Mor and Emma were the last ones to leave. Alex marveled that his two good friends had actually decided to get married. Here he was, waiting for his first promised date with Elise, and Mor and Emma were already tying the knot. His much-anticipated first date with his housekeeper wasn’t far away, though; it was set for that coming Saturday night. Alex and Elise were free of their encumbrances and entanglements, so finally they were going to be able to see if there was anything more to their relationship than just friendship.
After the betrothed pair left, Alex and Elise began to clean up the mess left behind.
“The wedding’s going to be beautiful,” Elise said as she finished sweeping the lobby floor.
Alex said, “It looks like I’ll be a part of it after all. Mor just asked me to be his best man.”
Elise’s budding smile froze as Mor and Emma walked back into the lobby. It was obvious from one look at their faces that something was desperately wrong.
“What happened?” Alex asked, afraid that the engagement was already off.
Mor said, “You’d better call Sheriff Armstrong. Somebody’s slouched over in the front seat of my truck.”
Alex felt an icy fist clench his heart. “Passed out or dead?”
“Dead,” Mor said simply, and Emma started sobbing softly beside him, collapsing against Mor for support.
As Mor reached for the telephone, Alex asked, “Any idea who it is?”
Mor nodded, looking grim as he dialed the sheriff’s number. “I’d never seen him before in my life, but Emma recognized him right away. Hang on a second, I only want to have to say this once.” Mor turned his attention back to the telephone. “Sheriff, this is Mor Pendleton. You’d better get out to Hatteras West. I just found a body in my truck.”
There was a pause, then Mor added grimly, “Yes, we know who it is. Somebody just killed Emma Sturbridge’s ex-husband.”
Table of Contents
Murder Checks Inn (Book 3 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries)