Room for Murder - Tim Myers [8]
Turning Mor down hadn’t even been an option in his mind. Alex was going to have to do something. He’d given Mor his word, and that was something never to be taken lightly. Somehow Alex was just going to have to make the time. Who needed sleep, anyway?
As Alex walked into the lobby, Emma kept looking behind him. “Where’s Mor? Why isn’t he with you?”
Alex said gently, “The sheriff decided to talk to him down at his office.” He saw Emma’s face go white, so he added quickly, “He just wanted to interview him without all the distractions of Irene’s investigation out here.”
Emma said stonily, “I’m the one he should be talking to, not Mor. This is all my fault.”
Elise said, “You had no control over your ex-husband. We all know that.” She tried to smile, but had a difficult time doing it as she added, “Don’t worry, Emma. Mor’s a big boy, he can take care of himself.”
Alex said, “Speaking of which, Mor asked me to call Sandra. Just as a precaution.”
Elise nodded absently. “Of course.” The two women had an uneasy truce when it came to Alex, but Elise knew as well as everyone else in town that Sandra was the one to call when there was real trouble.
Sandra’s new secretary, Gretel Hanson, picked up on the first ring. The second she realized who was calling, Gretel asked breathlessly, “Alex, is it true? They found another body at your inn? You’re going to have more ghosts than guests if this keeps up.” She was obviously tickled by her wordplay.
Ignoring the barb, Alex asked, “Gretel, is Sandra free? I really need to talk to her.”
“Let me check,” Gretel said, and a minute later Sandra came on the line.
She said, “I just got off the phone with Mor, if that’s what you’re calling about. How bizarre is that, finding Emma’s ex in the front seat of his truck at the inn?”
“I know, it doesn’t look good for either of my friends. Are you going to help him?”
Sandra said, “I’ll do what I can. Armstrong’s just interviewing witnesses right now, but Mor thought I should sit in on the session. I’m on my way over there the second we hang up. Is Emma Sturbridge still at the inn?”
“She’s right here,” Alex admitted.
“Put her on, would you?”
Alex did as he was told. After a hushed conversation, Emma hung up the telephone. “Sandra thinks I should go on over to the jail and talk to the Sheriff as soon as he’s done with Mor. She said she’d sit in on my questioning too, if I wanted her to. What do you two think?”
Elise said, “I think it’s a good idea, just to be on the safe side.”
Alex added, “I couldn’t agree more. Would you like one of us to drive you? You probably shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Emma said, “I’ll be fine. I’ve got my car. I met Mor here for the Grand Unveiling, and he’ll need a ride home.” She waved her handkerchief in the air. “Besides, you two have an inn to run. What have you got, one room empty in the entire place? You’re going to have plenty on your plate as it is.”
Alex said, “Our friends come first, Emma, you know that.”
She started to tear up again, but nipped it off quickly. “You two are so special to us both. I’ve got to go.”
Elise said, “Give us a call when you’re finished with the sheriff, will you? Emma, we believe in you.”
“Thanks so much,” she said as she hurried out the door.
After Emma was gone, Elise turned to Alex and asked, “So what do you think really happened to Toby Sturbridge?”
“I wish I knew,” he replied, staring out the window as Emma’s car headed out Point Road.