Room for Murder - Tim Myers [59]
Finally the line moved into the gymnasium itself. Mrs. Hurley was at the Voter’s Registration table, the big leather- bound book open in front of her. Irma Bean, standing right beside her, said, “State your name and address,” to Alex.
“Alex Winston, the Hatteras West Inn. That’s on Point Road, if you’re not sure.”
Irma wrinkled her nose. “Alex, no foolishness from you, we have to do this by the book.”
Mrs. Hurley said, “Irma, I know more of these folks than you do. I had Alex in my grade school class in this very building.”
“Now, Dot, you know what the book says.”
Mrs. Hurley smiled gently. “And if I should forget, you’re right here to remind me, aren’t you?”
Irma flushed slightly as she handed Alex a ballot.
“Next,” she said as she winked at Elise.
“Elise Danton, also of Hatteras West,” she said.
Mrs. Hurley scanned the book, then said, “Sorry, I don’t have you listed here.”
Elise was crestfallen. “I’m not on the rolls? But I registered three months ago.”
Mrs. Hurley said, “Don’t worry, dear, if you’re in here, I’ll find you.” She riffled through the pages, then said, “Here you are. Grianna Monk put you down with the E’s instead of the D’s. What was that woman thinking?”
“Most likely she was mooning over Silas Lake. Seems to me three months ago the two of them were hot and heavy. Old Grianna could barely spell her own name back then, let alone somebody else’s.”
“May I still vote?” Elise asked.
Irma said, “Absolutely. Here’s your ballot. Pick up a pen at the table over there, and don’t forget to put it back when you’re done.”
Mrs. Hurley added, “She can’t be done, she’s not a roast, Irma. But she can be finished with her ballot.”
Irma rolled her eyes. “That’s what I get for volunteering with a retired schoolteacher.”
Alex walked to one of the curtained booths and checked off Tracy’s name on the ballot. He found Elise waiting for him. “One thing about the Elkton Falls election ballot, you don’t have to waste a lot of time pondering.”
Irma said sharply, “Hold it down, please. Folks are trying to vote.”
Alex waved a hand in her direction, then put his ballot in the welded steel box that sat by itself on a long maple table. Amy had cobbled the ballot box up in her shop a few years ago after the last ancient wooden receptacle had finally fallen apart.
This monstrosity would outlast them all, and it took three boys from the high school football team to carry it over to the town hall for the tabulating.
After they were back outside. Elise asked, “Is that all there is to it?”
“Anticlimactic, isn’t it? Tell you what. Why don’t we go over to Buck’s and grab that lunch I promised you.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” she said.
Buck’s was crowded with voters escaping the rain, and Alex wondered briefly if any work was getting done in town at all that day except by Buck and Sally Anne.
Sandra was at a booth and waved them over. “I’m just leaving, if you’all would like a place to sit.”
“Thanks.” Alex said as he slid in after her. “Have you heard anything else about Toby Sturbridge or Oxford Hitchcock?”
Sandra counted out a few bills, then said. “No, it’s been quiet on both fronts. Our good sheriff appears to be baffled at this point.” She put her money on the table, then said. “I’ve got to run. I’m late for an appointment with a new- client. Alex, your uncle Jase would have shot me for working on Election Day, but since he passed away, I don’t seem to get any time off at all. It was good seeing you two.”
Sally Anne hurried over and bussed their table. “Sorry about that. Things have been crazy all day.” She added softly to Alex, ‘We need to talk later.”
Alex nodded. “Call me at the inn. I’ll be back there in an hour or two. Unless it’s urgent,” he added.
“No, it can wait that long. Now what can I get you two?”
After they’d ordered, it wasn’t three minutes before Sheriff Armstrong came in. He waved to a few of the folks present, then ambled over to Alex and Elise. “What brings you two into town with an inn full of people?”
“We’re not that full at the moment. Besides, we