Room for Murder - Tim Myers [60]
Armstrong said, “First thing this morning. It was a real privilege to see a ballot without my name on it.” Since the sheriff’s elections had been switched to every other year opposite the mayoral elections, the sheriff was enjoying the second year of his unique three year term.
Alex had wanted some time alone with Elise, but having the sheriff at their table was too good an opportunity to pass up. “Care to join us?” he asked. “We just got here.”
“No sir, I’ve already eaten, but thanks for asking.”
Alex said, “Then we can cut to the chase. Have there been any developments you can talk about?”
Armstrong said loudly, “We’ve got a list of suspects we’re looking closely at right now. I expect an arrest to be made any day now.”
Alex said, “Okay, you’ve made your public service announcement to the crowd. Now, what’s the truth?”
Armstrong said in a near-whisper, “I’m no closer to finding the killers than I was the day each man died. Truth be told, I’m beginning to wonder if I shouldn’t bring state troopers in on both these cases. Blast it all, I’m still the sheriff, I want to do it myself. I’ll get them, don’t you worry about that.”
As Armstrong moved to another table, Alex said, “I’m sorry I invited him without asking you first, but I had to know about his progress.”
Elise said, “I don’t mind. I was surprised, though, to hear you invite someone else out on our date.”
Alex laughed. “Oh, no, I’m not making that mistake again, labeling something a date. It puts entirely too much pressure on both of us.”
She said, “I suppose so,” then studied her menu.
After they ordered, Elise said, “I’ve been wondering about something, Alex. Do you think there’s a chance the same person killed Toby Sturbridge and Oxford Hitchcock? It’s hard to imagine two murderers roaming around Elkton Falls at the same time.”
Alex said, “I kind of doubt they’re related. To be honest with you, I wonder if the person who killed Toby even realized it at the time. That had to be an accident. Who would ever suspect a blow to the chest could kill a man? Oxford, on the other hand, took a board to the head. There was nothing accidental about that.”
“It just seems like a coincidence that both men died so close together.”
Alex nodded. “It was a run of bad luck for Elkton Falls, no doubt about that, but murders happen in small towns, too. Sometimes I think they’re more noticeable than the homicide statistics in the big cities.”
Sally Anne brought them their plates, and Alex noticed there was a folded note under his. Sneaking it out, he glanced down at his lap and read it.
don’t call me. i’ll come oUt to the inn later.
Alex looked up to find Elise studying him. “Is it in code, or can you read it without your decoder ring?”
Alex handed her the note under the table. After she read it, Elise said, “I think Sally Anne’s enjoying her little spying venture with you.”
“I think you’re right.” He took a bite of his club sandwich and added, “She’s in the perfect place to hear things, though. I wonder what she’s got to say.”
Elise said, “I couldn’t even begin to guess.”
After they finished, Alex said, “Okay, one more stop at Shantara’s to restock our glass cleaner and we can head back to the inn.”
“If somebody hasn’t walked off with it by now,” Elise said with a smile.
“Hey, the only time I had that problem was when we had the Golden Days Fair out there, and I’m never going through that again.”
“Are you forgetting Sarah March? I still can’t believe what she did.”
A few months before, one of their guests, a woman named Sarah March, had taken every lightbulb from her loom upon checking out. It had taken Alex a second to realize they were really gone when he switched on her lights and nothing had happened.
He said, “Okay, maybe we’d better head on back.”
Elise said, “Oh, Alex, I’m just teasing. We have time to pick up the cleaner.”
Chapter 18
“Have you heard the news?” Sally Anne asked Alex that evening is she brought by her delivery.
“No, I’ve been waiting for you. I must confess, your