Room for Murder - Tim Myers [13]
Alex refused to touch the bill. “I’m truly sorry, but I can’t help you. Mrs. Nesbitt reserves that same room every year. If you think you’d be happier elsewhere, there are quite a few places in Hickory to stay, and it’s not that far away.”
The woman shouldered her way past her new husband and said, “I’m sure whatever you have here will be fine.”
Alex nodded. “Good enough. I just need you to sign in and we’ll get you settled. Will this be cash or charge?”
The woman retrieved the hundred and slipped it into her purse as she said, “Pay the man, Paul. Put it on your credit card.”
He obviously wanted to protest, but one look at his glaring bride told him this was not a battle worth fighting.
As Paul filled out the registration, his bride said, “I’m going to go look at the lighthouse. Come get me when you’re ready.” As she went out onto the porch, Alex heard her mutter, “That’s just wonderful. It’s not even lit up.”
Alex offered to lead the way to their room after they’d settled the billing, but the man refused his aid. “I can handle it from here.”
“Good night, then, Mr. Jones.”
“Good night.” As he walked out, Alex heard Jones say under his breath, “Man oh man. What have I gotten myself into?”
Chapter 4
Sally Anne came in with a basket of fresh muffins for the next day’s breakfast just as Alex was about to douse the fire in the lobby and head off to bed. Corki and Jan had returned hours ago and were tucked safely in, along with the other guests of the Hatteras West Inn. Elise was in the middle of reading Carl Sandburg’s Lincoln, a set of volumes Alex had inherited from his late uncle Jase, and she’d left him earlier for the privacy of her room. Was it his imagination, or was there a new awkwardness surrounding them now that their first date was nearly upon them? Alex had to admit, he was a little hesitant to meddle with their friendship and working relationship by throwing romance into the mix, but the pull he felt for her was too strong to ignore.
No matter what happened between them, he had to know one way or another, once and for all, if there was a chance for romance with her.
Sally Anne set down the basket and said, “You look like you’ve got the world’s troubles on your shoulders, Alex.”
He said, “No, I’m just trying to put a few things in perspective.”
Sally Anne nodded. “I heard about Emma’s ex showing up here dead. Do they know what happened yet?”
Alex said, “I figured you’d have a better handle on that than I would. Your diner is a pretty popular place with the sheriff and everybody else in town.”
“It’s funny, but we haven’t seen Armstrong since he got the call to come out here. Dad’s worried he’s starving himself to death,” she added with a grin.
As Alex paid Sally Anne’s bill, he said, “I’ve got a question for you. How’d you like to be my eyes in town?”
“You mean like a spy?” Sally Anne asked eagerly.
“More of an observer,” Alex said. When he saw her smile dim, he added, “Okay, to be honest with you, it’s exactly like a spy.”
Sally Anne said, “How cool. Just tell me what you want me to do.”
“Right now, I need you to keep your eyes and ears open around the diner. I promised Mor I’d look into Sturbridge’s death, and I’m going to need your help in town now that both of my buildings are full.”
Sally Anne said, “I was kind of hoping there’d be more skulking around.”
Alex laughed. “I’ll see what I can come up with. Seriously, you don’t mind helping me?”
“Alex, since I lost my fiancé to the Carolina football program and those perky cheerleaders they have there, I’ve got way too much time on my hands. This sounds like fun.” She paused, then added, “If it’s all the same to you though, I don’t think I’m going to tell Dad. He’s kind of overprotective of me.”
“Don’t lie to him on my account,” Alex said, though he suddenly realized getting on Buck’s bad side might not be the smartest move, especially since the man was a former Golden Gloves boxer who still kept in shape by assaulting a punching