Room for Murder (Book 4 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries) (3 page)

Alex and Mor walked out onto the porch as
the squad car approached. Emma and Elise had declined to join them.
Just as well, Alex thought. There would be plenty of time for
questions later.

Alex saw the sheriff’s cousin and Canawba
County’s chief forensics expert, Irene Wilkins, in the front seat
beside Armstrong. She must have had an opening in her schedule as
Elkton Falls’ resident beauty parlor operator. Irene was no
lightweight when it came to crime scene investigation, she’d won
several awards for her forensic work, but it was the fact that she
kept Armstrong in line that Alex admired most about her. One
“Ducky” from her, and all the puffed hot air shot right out of the
sheriff. Irene was definitely not a book to be judged by its cover.
Looking at her teased hair and listening to her brash manner, it
was sometimes too easy to forget that she’d aced every class she’d
taken in forensics, and was building up such a strong reputation
that even many of her peers were grudgingly calling her in to
consult on some of their tougher cases.

Armstrong shut off his lights and siren as
he pulled up beside Mor’s truck, now deserted in the field that had
served as overflow parking behind the Main Keeper’s Quarters. Alex
and Mor reached them just as Armstrong’s door opened.

The sheriff said, “Doc Drake’s on his way,”
as he heaved himself out of the cruiser. Armstrong’s steady
politicking at Buck’s Grill was apparent from his massive
girth.

“
Hello, boys,” Irene said
as she collected her investigation kit from the backseat of the
squad car.

Armstrong asked Mor, “First thing I need to
know is, did you move or touch anything?”

Mor said tersely, “It’s my truck, Armstrong.
My fingerprints are bound to be all over it.”

Armstrong said, “Don’t get your tail in a
knot, Pendleton, I need to ask these questions. Now let me ask you
again, did you touch the body or anything around it?”

Mor said, “I pulled him back to see if he
was still alive. He was colder than January when I touched him,
though.”

Armstrong nodded toward the body. “And you
said you recognized him right off the bat?”

“
I told you on the phone,
I’ve never seen him before in my life,” Mor said. “When Emma told
me who he was, I didn’t believe her at first.”

Armstrong nodded as Irene joined them with
her video camera. There was no nonsense in Irene’s voice as she
said, “Excuse me, gentlemen, but I need some room to work. After I
shoot the video, I want to take some Polaroid shots, then I’ll get
down to the close work.”

As the three men stepped well away from the
vehicle,

Armstrong said, “I’m going to need to talk
to Emma Sturbridge. Either of you have any idea where she’s
at?”

Mor blocked the way back to the building.
“Hang on a second. She’s just had a real shock. Give her some time
to get herself together, will you?”

Armstrong shook his head. “I’m going to do
my best not to upset her, Mor, but it’s real important I talk to
her as soon as I can.”

“
I said you’re going to
have to wait.” There was steel in Mor’s voice as he stood his
ground.

Armstrong took a deep breath, then said,
“You need to think long and hard about interfering with this
investigation, Mor. Now I know better than anybody that the two of
us have never really gotten along, but that doesn’t rightly matter
at the moment. I’ve got a job to do, and I’m going to do it; you
can bet your last hat on that.” Armstrong paused, looked hard into
Mor’s eyes, and added, “It can go hard on you if you mess with me.
I’m not trying to throw my weight around here, but I am going to
speak with her, whether you like it or not.”

Alex said, “He’s right, Mor. The sheriff’s
just doing his job”

Mor argued, “I still say she’s in no shape
to talk with anybody.”

“
Well, she’s talking to
me,” Armstrong said flatly.

Mor shook his head. “Not until she’s talked
to a lawyer. I know how you are, Armstrong. The likeliest suspect
is the only person you focus on, and I won’t have you putting Emma
under your microscope. You have any questions, you can ask me.”

Armstrong, finally letting his anger show,
said, “The honest truth is that right now I’ve got two chief
suspects, and you’re one of them. You want me to start with you,
you’ve got it. Let’s go, big man.”

Alex asked, “Where are you taking him?”

Armstrong said, “Irene’s got the crime scene
covered. I figured it might be easier to talk down at my office
where we won’t be disturbed. You don’t mind coming along, do you,
Mor?”

“
Believe it or not,
Sheriff, I want this killer caught just as much as you do. Just
leave Emma alone.”

Armstrong said softly, “Mor, you’re going to
have to stop telling me how to do my job. Emma will get her turn,
and there’s not a thing in the world you can do about that. Now go
get in the backseat of the cruiser. I’ll be right there.”

Mor did as he was told, looking back at Alex
as he opened the door. “Tell Emma where I went. And call Sandra for
me, would you? Have her meet me at the sheriff’s office.”

Alex saw Armstrong grimace at the mention of
Elkton Falls’ most aggressive female lawyer. Alex and Sandra had
dated off and on until Elise had come to the Hatteras West Inn,
changing things between them forever. It had amazed Alex to
discover that Sandra was a much better friend than girlfriend, once
they got over their shared past. She was the perfect choice when
someone he knew was in trouble with the law, especially since he’d
lost his uncle Jase.

“
I’ll call her the second I
get inside,” Alex said as Armstrong started for the squad
car.

The sheriff looked over his shoulder and
said, “I couldn’t talk you into forgetting her number for a while,
could I?”

Alex said, “Sorry, but I can’t do that,
Sheriff.”

Armstrong nodded. “I know that, I was
half-joking. You can’t blame me for trying, though.” The sheriff
paused, then added, “Alex, I know Mor and Emma are your best
friends in the world, but I’ve got to do my job. Right now, whether
you like it or not, they are my likeliest suspects.”

Alex nodded. “I understand what you’re
saying, but I can’t believe either one of them killed
Sturbridge.”

Armstrong said, “Let’s just hope you’re
right. If you are, after I talk to both of them, I can go after the
real killer.” The sheriff called out to Irene, deeply immersed in
her videotaping, “Give me a ring when you’re ready to come back to
town and I’ll come pick you up.”

Irene waved a hand toward him. “I’m done for
the day at the shop, so take your time. I’ve got a good hour of
work left to do here.” Almost to herself, Irene said as she panned
the camera, “I can’t believe all these footprints. It looks like a
marching band came through here.”

Armstrong nodded to his cousin, then said,
“See you later, Alex.”

After the squad car pulled away, Alex asked
Irene, “Can you tell what happened to him?”

Irene said, “Alex, you know I can’t discuss
any of this with you.”

He said, “Sorry, I know how seriously you
take your work. I respect that.”

“
And you’re not going to
get anything out of me by buttering me up, either,” she said with a
smile as she zoomed in on a particular footprint. “Why don’t you go
make that call Mor asked you to? “Ducky” can get carried away when
Sandra’s not around to slap his hand.”

“
I’ll do just that,” Alex
said as he hurried back to the inn.

As he walked back to the Dual Keepers’
Quarters, Alex realized things were going to be a lot tougher on
him than they used to be. Now that both buildings were reopened for
guests, Alex’s penchant for investigation was going to be curtailed
greatly. It was one thing skipping out on a handful of guests now
and then to track down leads, but with two full buildings, it was
going to take nearly all of his time and energy to run the inn,
even with Elise’s extensive help. She’d added a continental
breakfast to their plan, which made more money for the inn, but
also created more work, though Sally Anne from Buck’s Grill brought
out the muffins and fruit after the diner closed each night or
before they opened the next day, depending on Sally Anne’s
schedule. Maybe Alex could recruit her to keep a watchful eye in
town, since just about all of Elkton Falls passed through Buck’s
doors every day. He’d make it a point to talk to Sally Anne when
she made her next delivery to the inn. Perhaps she could somehow
help him prove that his best friends were innocent of murder.

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.

At that moment, the house phone rang, and as
Alex moved to answer his guest’s summons, he wondered what the
truth really was surrounding Toby Sturbridge’s untimely demise.

Chapter 3

As Alex hung up the house telephone after a
brief conversation with one of their guests, Elise asked, “Is there
anything I can do?”

“
No, it was Lenora MacLeod
in Room 7. She wants to talk to me.”

Elise said, “If you don’t need me, I’m going
to go over and finish up next door at Main.”

“
I’ll be over as soon as I
can to help,” Alex said.

“
I’ve got it covered,
there’s really not that much left to do. After you take care of Ms.
MacLeod, why don’t you go see if you can pry anything else out of
Irene?”

“
She’s being pretty
tightlipped about everything,” Alex said.

Elise smiled slightly. “Come on, Alex, you
aren’t trying hard enough. Turn on that Winston charm.”

Alex said, “I would, but I’m saving it all
for Saturday night. We’re still on, aren’t we?”

“
I won’t back out if you
won’t,” Elise said steadily.

Alex pretended to ponder just that, then
smiled brightly. “Not a chance.”

As Elise left for the other building, Alex
watched her walk away. He was still savoring the warmth of their
exchange when Lenora MacLeod walked in, a sketch pad tucked under
one arm. Lenora was a striking woman in her late twenties, with
long blond hair and hazel eyes, though no one would call her
beautiful. There was something about her, though, a bold confidence
and assurance, that was almost magnetic.