Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [11]
Sandra offered a smile. “Well, you know me, Alex. I always did like a challenge.”
As she drove away, Alex wondered if he’d sent her on an impossible mission.
He had to admit that there was a very real chance Bill Yadkin had done exactly what it appeared, that the young blacksmith had killed off his main competition.
Chapter 5
Alex knew it was pointless wading through the bills he’d thrown in his desk drawer. Just the thought of reorganizing them again was enough to kill the desire to work. His mind was on other things.
Murder had come back to The Hatteras West Inn, and it was a most unwelcome guest.
Alex decided that more than anything else, he needed some time on Bear Rocks. Slipping away to the top of the lighthouse gave him perspective on his problems when he needed a place to think, but touching the sun-warmed boulders always offered an overwhelming comfort he couldn’t explain. The formation of weathered boulders, eroded into passageways, slides and bridges, had always had a calming influence on him. As a boy, Alex had memorized every twist and turn to the paths, and he prided himself on the fact that he knew the rocks better than anyone alive.
Cutting through the crowds at the fair, Alex ducked into the trees and soon found himself mostly away from the noise of their presence. He curled up into a cradle of warm stone and stared up at the sky. He hadn’t been there long before a voice called out to him.
“I thought I saw you slipping away through the trees,” Alex heard.
He looked up to find Shantara Robinson standing at the base of his rock.
Alex said, “To tell you the truth, I needed to get away from the world for a few minutes.”
“I can relate to that,” she said as she deftly climbed up beside him.
“Shouldn’t you be at the fair?”
She shook her head. “I had to catch my breath, too. We’ve got a huge crowd, that’s for sure. Only I don’t think they came to see the artisans at work; they’re more interested in seeing the crime scene. People can be such ghouls.”
“So why are you up here hiding from the world?” She paused a second, then added, “As if I have to even ask. Alex, I’m so sorry I brought all this onto you and your place.”
“Listen to me, Shantara, it’s not your fault any more than it is mine. I just hate that it had to happen at all.”
“Me, too, Alex.” There were a few moments of shared silence, then Shantara stood up and brushed her slacks off. “Why don’t we head back to the fair? People are probably wondering where we slipped off to.”
Alex joined her as she deftly jumped off the rocks. He said, “Let them wonder. It will give them something to talk about besides the murder.”
As they walked through the trees on the path that led back to the inn, Shantara asked soberly, “Alex, do you think Bill actually killed Jefferson Lee?”
“Well, he had motive enough. I’ve heard Jefferson was trying to drive him out of business by stealing all of his customers. I don’t have to tell you about Yadkin’s temper, either.”
“So you think he did it?” Shantara asked.
Alex took a few steps, then stopped as he said, “No, I don’t think he killed the man, but I could be wrong. I couldn’t tell you why, it’s just something in my gut.”
Shantara said, “So, if Bill Yadkin didn’t kill him, who did?”
“I wish I knew,” Alex admitted. “Give Armstrong a chance, Shantara. He’ll uncover the truth.”
“Not without you helping him, Alex. Everybody in town knows how much he leans on you.”
Alex held up his hands. “Shantara, I’m staying out of this. I’m just an innkeeper, remember?”
“You’re a lot more than that,” Shantara said as she stepped closer. “Alex, you can’t just let this drop.” There was a catch in her voice as she added, “Don’t you understand? This is all my fault.”
“You’re not responsible for Jefferson Lee’s murder, Shantara.”
“I just wish that were true,” Shantara said, tears creeping from her velvety brown eyes.
“Let it go, Shantara.”
She shook her head. “I wish I could.” Shantara took a deep breath, then let it out slowly before she added, “Alex, how long have we been friends?”
Alex