Room for Murder - Tim Myers [16]
“The light switch for the lens is broken, at least I think that’s the problem, and I’d like you to take a look at it whenever you get the chance.”
Mor said, “I know you don’t have permission to fire it up, Alex. What’s going on?”
He explained, “What’s the use of having the world’s biggest night-light if you can’t turn it on now and then?”
Mor chuckled. “That’s the spirit. I’ll try to make it out there this evening.”
“No hurry, you don’t have to work at night on my account. I know you’ve got your hands full.”
Mor said, “Think about it, Alex. You’re allowed to perform regular testing and maintenance on the light since it serves as an early warning notice for the county, am I right? Why don’t I show up tonight and we’ll try out the new switch when we can enjoy it? I’ll call Grady Hatch and tell him what we’re doing.”
“That sounds great,” Alex said.
Suddenly, Tracy Shook rushed into the inn. There was a look of urgency on her face that required immediate attention.
Alex said, “I’ve got to go, Mor. See you tonight.”
After he hung up with his friend, Alex said, “Tracy, what’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Alex, is the sheriff here?”
He said, “I haven’t seen him all morning. You look upset, Tracy. What’s wrong?”
“It’s Oxford Hitchcock. He’s disappeared.”
“Slow down,” Alex said. “What do you mean, he’s disappeared?”
“We were supposed to speak at a dinner together last night for the Sons of the South, but he never showed up.”
“So maybe he got his dates mixed up,” Alex said. “It happens.”
“That’s his group, Alex, and he had the perfect opportunity to show me up. There’s not a chance in the world he forgot about it. I went by his house last night after the banquet, but nobody was home. Then this morning we had a breakfast debate scheduled for Hal’s radio show in Hickory, and I had to do it alone.”
“I thought you’d be happy about the lack of competition,” Alex said.
“This isn’t funny. Oxford and I are competitors, but we’re buddies too, no matter how much stress this campaign has put on our friendship. I’m worried something might have happened to him, so I’ve been looking for the sheriff. Maybe he can figure out what’s going on.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Alex said.
“I wish I could believe that.” She sighed, then added, “I’ve been putting it off, but I guess I’m going to have to call the snake and see if he knows where Oxford is.”
Alex knew she must be really worried if she was willing to call her ex-husband. “What’s his number? I’ll give him a call for you. “
Tracy said, “Thanks. Alex. I’d really appreciate that.”
Alex dialed Conner’s number, but after two rings, he got the answering machine.
After he hung up, Alex said. “He wasn’t there, so I left a message for him to call me.”
Tracy said. “Something’s not right, Alex. His calls are forwarded to his cell phone when his home number doesn’t answer. How many times did it ring before you got the machine?”
“Twice,” Alex said. “Why?”
Tracy picked up the phone, and as she punched in the number, she said, “I just hope he hasn’t changed the access code.”
Her face went white as she listened intently.
“What was it?” Alex asked.
“Listen to this.” Tracy punched another number, and Alex heard Oxford’s voice in a near whisper on the recording. “Conner, I’m in real trouble here. I need…”
And then the message died before he had the chance to say another word.
Chapter 5
Alex had her replay the message. After listening to it intently, he said, “Tracy, we both should probably forget we ever listened to this.”
Tracy said, “Come on, you heard him, Alex. He’s in trouble, and Conner wasn’t there