Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [9]
“Out of the way, Alex,” the sheriff said as he led the young blacksmith to the door.
“Where are you taking him, Sheriff Armstrong?” Rachel demanded. “You can’t arrest him until his lawyer gets here.”
“Tell Sandra we’ll be over at the jail. I’m finishing this interview downtown, where there will be less interruptions.” He looked pointedly at Alex as he said the last.
Rachel blocked their way. “You’re not taking him anywhere until Sandra arrives.”
Armstrong said, “Rachel Seabock, I’ve known you most of my life, but don’t you believe for one second that I won’t arrest you for obstructing justice if you don’t back off, and I mean right now.”
Rachel was sobered by the thought of going to jail, but she wasn’t about to give up. “I’m going with you then,” she said resolutely.
“You can follow me into town, but you can’t have a ride. I’m sorry, Rachel, but it has to be that way.”
She pointedly ignored the sheriff and said, “Bill, don’t say a word until your attorney gets there.”
It looked like the young man was finally beginning to realize just how precarious a position he was in. Alex couldn’t really blame Armstrong for his enthusiasm in going after Bill. After all, the young blacksmith had the means to commit the murder as well as a pretty strong motive. As to opportunity, Alex had to admit that just about anyone staying at The Hatteras West Inn could have killed Jefferson Lee. In Alex’s mind, the most damaging piece of evidence was the metal spear used to stab the blacksmith; there was little doubt that Bill Yadkin had forged the skewer used to kill Jefferson Lee.
After Armstrong had taken Bill Yadkin away, with Rachel close on their heels, Alex looked around the suddenly deserted inn. The place was eerily quiet. Alex stepped outside for some fresh air. Springtime in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains could be delightful, but it could also be a fickle friend. He’d seen it balmy and warm one day, only to have violent ice storms the next. Fortunately, for the fair’s sake, the weather looked like it would be cooperating over the next two days.
On the wide, expansive porch at the front of the inn, Alex stood beside the half-dozen rocking chairs and surveyed the grounds. People were just beginning to file in, and with the murder on the grounds, it could easily turn out to be a record crowd. Shantara had had the foresight to sell daily tickets to the event, and from the number of people already drifting in, she’d easily earn her investment in the fair back today, leaving the next day for pure profit. His gaze automatically took in the new construction site, where one of Armstrong’s deputies now stood guard.
Alex suddenly felt a meaty paw slap him on the back. “You just can’t stay out of trouble, can you?”
Alex smiled brightly at Mor Pendleton. “You can’t blame this one on me,” Alex said as he looked at his friend. He and Alex had played football together, though Mor had been the star, while Alex had played more of a supporting role. A bad hit in college had wiped out Mor’s knees, and the man had been forced to drop out of college and come back to Elkton Falls to join Lester Williamson in the handyman business. The two men were vital to keeping Hatteras West up and running, and Mor or Les was a welcome fixture to all of Elkton Falls.
“Where’s Emma?” Alex asked lightly. His resident gem expert and his best friend had become quite an item around Elkton Falls lately.
Mor shrugged. “She’s around here somewhere. That woman can surely be exasperating.”
Alex laughed. “I’ve heard her say the exact same thing about you.”
“I’ll just bet you have,” Mor said.
As Emma Sturbridge joined them on the porch, she said, “My ears were burning fiercely. Were you gentlemen by any chance talking about me?” Emma was a large, attractive woman with a sharp gleam in her eyes and a confident tone in her voice.
“What did you buy?” Mor asked, looking at the bundle under her arm and ignoring her question completely.
“I found the most delightful sweater. That Jenny can really weave, can’t she?” Emma took her new acquisition out of