Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [35]
Alex said, “Shantara, a lot of the people might have come out to see the murder scene, but I’m willing to bet they’ll stay for the craft demonstrations since they’re already here. Your exhibitors are getting truck-loads of new exposure.” Before Shantara could cut him off, Alex added, “I hate to see a murder committed here more than you could imagine, but we didn’t have anything to do with it. It’s no more my fault for rebuilding the Main Keeper’s Quarters than it is yours for organizing this fair.”
“I suppose you’re right, but I’ve got a confession to make, Alex.”
He leaned forward so he wouldn’t miss a word. Shantara wrestled with telling him something, then changed her mind at the last second. Instead of whatever it was she’d been wanting to say, Shantara added limply, “I’ll be glad when this is over.”
“Shantara, is there anything you’d like to talk about? We could go into my office. You know I’m here for you, don’t you?”
She looked tempted for a moment, then said, “I’m sorry, Alex, there’s just no time.” Almost whispering, she added, “It’s too late, anyway.”
Alex was about to press her further when Bill Yadkin yelled, “Shantara! I need you over here. Now!”
She squeezed Alex’s shoulder as she said, “Sorry, I’ve got to go.”
“We’ll talk later,” Alex said hopefully.
“Absolutely,” she answered with no conviction at all as she walked away.
Shantara’s aborted confession left him troubled. He’d seen enough of the fair to last him a lifetime. Now that the exhibitors were into their day, Alex could work on the rooms, and in the process, perhaps discover something about what was really going on at Hatteras West.
Evans Graile was at his usual spot when Alex walked in. “Morning, Evans. How are you today?”
“I’m ambivalent, my friend. I hate to see the fair end, it’s been such a prime source of entertainment for me, but I do relish the last few moments of solitude at Hatteras West before I leave. I’ll be checking out tomorrow.”
Alex was startled by the news. “I didn’t think your house would be done for another month.” Honestly, with the new construction bills triple what he’d expected, Alex had been glad for Evans’s steady contribution to his financial well-being.
“The house won’t be ready, but I’m growing restless here. I thought a European trip might be in order.”
It was nearly impossible for Alex to believe that this near shut-in was going on a tour of Europe! “What made you decide to do something so drastic on the spur of the moment?”
Evans stared at his hands as he admitted, “If you must know, it was Jefferson Lee’s death.”
As Alex started to apologize, Evans said, “No, dear boy, I don’t blame you for what happened, not in the least. I didn’t sleep at all last night. It finally sank in that someone was actually dead! That young man’s murder just showed me that none of us know the number of our days left, and I’m not going to fritter away another minute sitting around watching the world pass me by! No, sir, I’ve spent enough time on the sidelines to last me the rest of my life.”
It was a statement filled with irony, considering the fact that Evans’s eyes never left the crowds milling about outside as he spoke.
“Are you going on this trip alone?” Alex asked.
“No, I’m not quite up to that,” he admitted. “I’ve invited my cousin Harry Roberts to go with me. We’ll make it a bachelor tour and have a grand old time.” Alex knew Harry left the house even less than Evans did. He wondered if the two of them would even leave their hotel room once they arrived in Europe, but he admired their spirit.
“Well, we’re going to miss you, Evans, but I hope you two have a wonderful trip.”
“I know we shall, Alex. Tell you what, I’ll send you a postcard from the Tower of London. I’ve always wanted to go there, and I’m going to do it before I’m