Room for Murder - Tim Myers [20]
Alex spotted them again over an hour later coming out of the lighthouse itself, heading for the utility shed next to it, no doubt to be regaled with more of Great great-grandfather Jerab’s adventures. Though the couple continued to try to break away, Mrs. Nesbitt was in no hurry to rid herself of her new charges until she’d imparted every ounce of her lighthouse lore to them.
Chapter 6
Alex was happy to see Mor drive up in his truck as dusk approached Hatteras West.
After the handyman got out, Alex said, “I bet it feels good to get your truck back.”
Mor slapped the hood. “Yeah, Irene said it was clean. She even had the boys run it through the car wash after they were finished with it. They did a good job, inside and out.”
“Have you had any problem riding around in it after what happened?” Alex asked.
Mor said, “It was kind of creepy at first, but after half an hour I kind of forgot all about it. Life goes on, you know?”
“It does indeed. So where’s Emma? I figured she’d be coming out with you.”
Mor put on his tool belt more out of habit than need as he explained, “She was right behind me, so she should be here any minute. Is Elise coming, too?”
Alex said, “She wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Mor grinned. “Then let’s get to it.”
They walked up the steel steps in single file, Mor’s tool belt clanking a little each time as he moved. When they got to the top landing, the handyman said, “Now let me take a look at this.”
Mor killed the circuit breaker tucked over by the door going up to the lens itself, then unscrewed the switch and hooked it up to a meter secured onto his belt.
“Is that the problem?” Alex asked.
Mor studied the readings for a second, handed the old switch to Alex, then said, “It’s deader than a doornail.” Alex had dreaded changing the button to a modern switch, so he was delighted when Mor pulled a replica out of his shirt pocket.
Alex asked, “Where’d you find that?”
“You know Les, he subscribes to every magazine he can find, and his name must be on a list for all the catalogue folks, too. A couple of months ago I spotted one that handled old-house reproductions. I knew this thing would wear out sooner or later, so I wanted to be ready when you needed it.”
Alex slapped the big man’s shoulder. “Thanks, I really appreciate that. That’s one bill I’ll be glad to pay.”
Mor shrugged. “Hey, you’ve done your best to keep us in business. This one’s on the house.”
After making up the new connections, Mor screwed the plate back in place and flipped the breaker. “You ready to try it?” he asked Alex.
“Without Elise and Emma? They’d both have my hide. No thanks.”
“So let’s go take in the view while we wait on them,” Mor said.
The two men walked out onto the observation platform and leaned on the outer rail, taking in the growing twilight and the fresh breeze of the night air.
There was an easy, comfortable silence between them that was broken only by a police siren echoing in the distance.
Mor shook his head. “It sounds like old Strong Arms is on another bad guy’s trail.”
“He does like his light and siren. Has he said anything else to you about Sturbridge?”
Mor shook his head. “Truth be told, I’ve been doing my best to avoid him, and he hasn’t come looking for me.”
Alex said, “I guess that’s a good sign.”
From below, Alex saw Elise come out onto the porch and wave to them. She had a picnic basket tucked under one arm, and a blanket draped across her shoulders. From the other direction up Point Road, they saw Emma driving toward them.
Mor said, “Looks like the party’s about to get started.”
“I’m ready.”
As the two women disappeared together into the base of the lighthouse, Mor said, “So the big day’s finally here.”
Alex asked, “Changing the switch? It’s not that big a deal.”
Mor said, “I’m talking about your date with Elise. It’s about time, if you ask me.”
Alex smiled. “If you ask me, it’s past time. Tomorrow night’s been a long time coming.”
“Are you taking her to Charlotte for some fancy dinner?