Room for Murder - Tim Myers [30]
“How about Tracy?” Alex asked. “Please tell me you’re not backing Conner.”
Harry shook his head. “Alex my friend, I’m not endorsing anyone. Nope, I promised myself I’d stay out of this election, and that goes double when we’ve got exes battling it out.” He winked at Alex as he added, “It should be a whale of a fight though, don’t you think?”
Alex nodded. “I’m dreading the debate.”
Grady slapped him on the back. “That’s when I expect to see the most fireworks. I’m introducing them both next week at the debate, then I’m getting off the stage before they light into each other.” He glanced at his watch as he added, “Well, sir, I’ve got to go. Oh, by the way, did you hear we postponed our ‘Save the Bridge’ meeting until after the election?”
“How’s the fund-raising going?” Alex asked.
“Oh, slow but steady. Folks don’t want to give much to the cause. I’ve been hitting up some of our local businesses, but so far it’s just trickling in. Don’t worry though, we’ll see that old bridge repaired sooner or later, I promise you that.”
“I didn’t think you made campaign promises,” Alex said, teasing.
“In this case, I’ll make an exception. See you around, Alex.”
An hour later Mor came in as Alex was putting his broom away, and from the look on the big man’s face, something new had gone very desperately wrong.
Chapter 9
“What is it?” Alex asked, dreading to hear the answer to his question.
“It’s Emma. She just turned herself in for killing her ex- husband.”
The broom in Alex’s hand fell to the floor, sending a crashing echo through the lobby.
“I can’t believe that.”
Mor said, “You can’t? How about me? I’m in shock.”
Alex said, “Tell me what happened.”
Mor walked over to one of the tables set up for backgammon, a game he and Alex often enjoyed playing together. Neither one of them was in any mood for games at the moment, though.
Mor pushed the game aside and said, “Last night we had a long, drawn-out discussion about this whole thing, mostly about Toby just popping up like he did. Well, I got mad at her for not telling me about it when he first came to town.” Mor looked at his hands folded in front of him, then added meekly, “I lost my temper and stormed out. Turns out she knew the guy was going to come around before he even stepped foot in Elkton Falls; she just didn’t know when. You know me, I have a tendency to fly off the handle when it comes to Emma. The next thing I know, Sandra’s calling me this morning and telling me Emma’s in jail.”
“I still can’t believe it,” Alex said.
“You’ve got to do something, Alex. I know she couldn’t have killed him. I don’t have any proof, but it’s clear in my heart that she’s innocent.”
Alex studied the big man before speaking. He hated seeing his friend in such torment. “I want to help, but what can I do, Mor?”
“Talk to her. Convince her she’s not helping anybody by pulling this stunt.”
Alex said, “She’ll listen to you better than she would to me, Mor.”
The handyman shook his head, and Alex could see he was as close to tears as he’d been in ages. “That’s just it. She won’t see me.”
Alex nodded. “I’ll do what I can.”
Mor struggled with his thanks, then hurriedly left the inn.
Alex went in search of Elise to tell her the news. As he hunted for the housekeeper, he couldn’t help wondering if it was possible that Emma’s confession was legitimate. He knew Toby Sturbridge had terrorized her during their marriage; Emma had confessed that much to him on several occasions. But could she have killed him? No, he wouldn’t believe it if she told him herself.
Alex found Elise finishing up her rooms in Dual.
“I need a huge favor,” Alex said.
Elise replied, “I’ve seen that look in your eyes before. You’re going to meddle in this business with Oxford Hitchcock, aren’t you?”
Alex shook his head. “Absolutely not, I’m staying clear of that one. Mor just came in and told me Emma’s confessed to Toby Sturbridge’s murder.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Elise snapped.
“I think