Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [24]
The first thing that struck Alex as he walked the grounds was the unbelievable amount of litter. His once-pristine land was covered with the debris from the day: discarded wrappers, packages, soda cans, and the other flotsam and jetsam from the wave of people who had passed through.
As he started to pick up the first piece of trash, he heard a car horn behind him. Shantara was leading a cavalcade of the worst collection of cars, trucks and vans he’d ever seen in his life.
As she popped out of her station wagon, Shantara said, “Alex, that’s not your job. I’ve got my crew here. Sorry we’re late.”
“I just couldn’t stand seeing my land like this.”
As the young people filed out of their vehicles, Shantara said, “Don’t worry, Alex, we’ll have this mess cleaned up in no time. You’re in for a treat. These kids are good.” She turned to the gathered young men and women. “Okay, let’s jump on this. Get your trash bags from Emily, and drop them off at Byron’s truck when they’re full.” As the crew started toward the mess buzzing and laughing, Shantara called out to them, “Remember, recycle everything you can.”
They fell on the fairground in a crashing wave, laughing and working as they moved through the grass like a horde of human vacuum cleaners.
“What are you paying your crew?” he asked.
“Minimum wage and pizza at Mama Ravolini’s as a bonus. They were happy to get the work.”
Alex said, “From the look of this crowd, I’d say they’re going to break you with the pizza offer.”
Shantara smiled. “Irma Bean’s giving me the pizzas at cost, and the kids only get the bonus if they work both days. I’ll do all right.” It was amazing how quickly the teens cleaned up after the fairgoers, though the trampled grass wouldn’t be as easy to restore.
“Alex, don’t worry about the grass. I’ve got enough left in the budget to reseed this area,” Shantara said, reading his mind.
“I’ve got it covered. I’d been planning to do it myself anyway. So, are you happy with the results of all your hard work?”
“I guess so. Alex, one of the best reasons I came up with this idea was to expose people to the old ways of doing things. It wasn’t just a way to make money. There are skills that are being lost every day, and we’re not doing nearly enough to preserve them.”
Alex said, “Easy, girl, it was just a question. You don’t have to convert me.”
Shantara frowned. “It’s just so frustrating. I imagined people coming out here to see the demonstrations, to even try their hands at a few of the crafts themselves, and instead they’ve flocked here to see the murder scene! You want to hear something ghoulish? Jefferson Lee’s stuff sold like crazy as soon as everyone found out about the murder. He had a college girl working his booth, and she kept right on selling everything, even after he was dead!”
“Did Jefferson have any family left? I didn’t know him all that well.”
“There’s a sister in Hickory; she’ll be coming tomorrow. Callie told me she wasn’t all that surprised when she found out her brother had been killed.”
Alex said, “From what I’ve been hearing lately, I can’t say I’m all that surprised, either.” Alex shook himself. “Don’t mind me, I’m out of sorts tonight for some reason.”
“It’s got to be hard on you, with Elise gone.”
Alex exploded. “Why does everyone think she’s gone for good? She’s visiting her parents on a medical emergency! Shantara, I swear to you, she’s coming back to Hatteras West!”
She looked startled by his outburst. “Easy, Alex, I just meant it had to be tough on you running the inn by yourself until she gets back.”
He laughed softly. “Sorry, it’s just that everyone I’ve talked to today has made it sound like she’s gone forever. You wouldn’t believe Jenny Harris. She wants us to start dating again.”
Shantara said disdainfully, “It doesn’t surprise me in the least. I know you two used to go out, Alex, but you’re better off without her.”
“It sounds like you’re a little jealous yourself,” he said, smiling.
She laughed just a little too loud and too long for Alex’s ego