Innkeeping with Murder (16 page)

Grandy rubbed the rock he was sitting on
affectionately for a moment before answering. “Renting and owning
are two different things. I want these rocks.”

Alex knew the feeling well. “Thanks for your
interest, but none of my land is for sale.”

The older man stood up abruptly from his
seat. “It’s not the money, is it?”

“Not entirely.”

Grandy thought about that for a moment. “Give
it some thought anyway, and we’ll talk again. One thing, though.”
He stuck one bony finger in the air toward Alex, and he could see a
flicker of heat in Grandy’s eyes. “Don’t sell to anybody else
without talking to me first. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt on the
deal.”

“Is that a threat, Mr. Grandy?”

In an instant, the look of fire was hidden
again in the old man’s eyes. Alex didn’t buy the “doddering old
grandfather” routine for a minute.

Grandy eased his voice as he said, “Why would
an old man like me threaten a young pup like you? I just meant that
you shouldn’t take another offer without giving me a chance to put
in my bid, that’s all. I might surprise you.”

As Alex watched Joel Grandy walk back down
the path toward the inn, he silently admitted to himself that the
old man had already surprised him. Alex kicked himself for not
asking Grandy where he’d been when the fire had started this
morning. As an amateur detective, he was turning out to be a
failure.

No matter. Alex leaned back fully into Mamma
Bear’s lap and let the heat from the sunshine-warmed granite seep
into his bones.

He nearly fell asleep from the soothing
warmth, but a sudden shift in the wind brought him fully back to
his senses.

As he lay there, Alex decided to review the
suspects who could have possibly killed Reg and started the fire,
too.

Junior was out as a suspect, not just because
Alex couldn’t believe the man had killed his own father, but
because Alex had followed him all morning. Unless, of course, the
younger Wellington knew how to start a delayed fire, which would
allow him to torch the inn while establishing a perfect alibi for
himself.

Alex knew there had to be a hundred different
ways to accomplish a delayed blaze, though he didn’t have a clue
how one would go about it. Reluctantly, he decided that Junior had
to remain a suspect until more evidence came to light.

Alex then considered Joel Grandy. Could he
have started the blaze in order to motivate Alex to sell the
property? Then why did he kill Reg? He thought about the other
people who had been around. Barb Matthews might have burned down
the building out of sheer cussedness, Finster was that mean too,
but neither one of them had an apparent reason to kill Reg.

As much as Alex hated to consider the
prospect, Mor could have easily set the fire before reporting it.
But then again, why kill Reg? And how did Emma Sturbridge’s fall
factor into the equation?

Perhaps Armstrong and Hicking were right
about Emma’s fall. It could have been an accident. He wished she
would come out of her coma so she could tell him what had really
happened.

By the time Alex was ready to go back to the
inn, it was late afternoon. Already the sun had started its decline
behind a large stand of white pines that bordered the western edge
of the property. As he started to get up, Alex felt something in
his neck catch. He tried to work the kink out by moving his head
back and forth, but it didn’t seem to help at all.

He really shouldn’t have stayed away from the
inn so long. For the first time since taking over Hatteras West,
Alex had put his own concerns ahead of those of his guests. He
walked stiffly down the path to the inn, pausing only for a moment
to survey the scorched earth where the main keeper’s house had
stood. The ground was nothing but a black, soggy mess.

When Alex entered the remaining building, he
nearly ran into Barb Matthews. Her eyes lit up the second she saw
Alex. “Can’t you protect your guests? That fire could have easily
spread to this building. You know that, don’t you?”

Alex smiled thinly. “It’s good to see you
escaped the fire unharmed, Mrs. Matthews.”

“Unharmed? I’ve been coughing up soot and
smoke ever since those firemen came.” The woman tapped her

dragonhead cane on Alex’s chest. “No help
from you, that’s for sure. If it weren’t for that handsome young
man warning us about the fire, we might have all perished.”

It looked like there was a new Mor Pendleton
fan.

Alex said gently, “I’m just glad everyone’s
safe.”

When the woman saw that Alex wasn’t going to
rise to her bait, she stormed out the front door.

Junior came out of the hallway and said,
“Good, she’s gone.” He rubbed his chest gently. “She tapped me so
hard I think she left a bruise.”

Alex smiled slightly. “She’s a real ray of
sunshine, isn’t she?”

Junior said, “Do you have any plans for
dinner? We could grab a quick bite and play a little chess, if
you’re interested. It might take our minds off our troubles.”

Alex was suddenly glad for the older man’s
company. He made a couple of sandwiches in his kitchenette while
Junior set up the chessboard.

Alex carried the platter of sandwiches out to
the lobby.

Junior surveyed the offering with a smile.
“Now all we need is something to drink.”

Alex could name a few other things he needed
more, but he suddenly remembered life had been no picnic for his
dinner companion, either. The man had just lost his father and was
now the sheriff’s prime suspect in the murder investigation.

Alex went back to the refrigerator and pulled
out two Cokes. As he handed one to Junior, he asked, “Sorry I’m out
of beer. How are you holding up?”

A frown crossed the man’s face. Junior said,
“For some reason, the police refuse to release Dad’s body. He
always wanted to be cremated, so as soon as they let him go, we’ll
have a quiet memorial service. Can I ask you a favor, Alex?”

“Name it.”

In a steady voice, Junior said, “This was
Dad’s favorite place on earth. He loved Hatteras West more than he
loved his own home. Could we spread his ashes from the observation
deck, or do you think that would be too gruesome, considering the
fact that he died up there?”

Alex patted Junior’s shoulder. “I think Reg
would have loved it.”

As they ate their meal, Alex told Junior one
of his favorite stories about Reg. “I don’t know if you’re aware of
it, but your dad was a real influence on my life. I remember a time
when I was twelve years old and in a really rebellious phase of my
life against every adult in the world. Every adult except your dad.
We took sleeping bags up to the top of the tower one night and
decided to stay awake and watch the dawn. Man, the stories he could
tell, about his early life growing up, his I time in the Marines,
everything. He told me how proud he was the first time he saw you
after you were born. Your father was a fine man.”

Junior shook his head sadly. “You know, you
probably knew my father better than anyone else alive. I know he
showed you more of himself than he ever did to me.”

Alex said, “It’s tough between fathers and
sons. There are so many expectations. I don’t know why he picked me
to be his friend, but part of the reason I’m the man I am today is
because of him.” Junior nodded as he finished off the rest of his
sandwich. “I’d like to stay around long enough to hear those
stories Dad told you. Would you mind?”

“Of course not, but I thought you’d already
made up your mind about leaving.”

Junior said, “Not until I know for sure what
happened. Dad would have wanted it that way.” He looked intent as
he added, “Besides, I really would like to see my father through
your eyes.”

“I’ll do my best.” Alex picked up the white
queen from the board. “Pick a hand.”

Junior was just about to choose when the
front door swung open to reveal Sheriff Armstrong, along with SBI
agent Sergeant Hicking.

And from the looks on their faces, they
weren’t there to make a social call.

Chapter 16

“What can I do for you gentlemen?” Alex
asked.

Hicking walked into the room like he was
repossessing it. “It’s not you we’ve come to see. Mr. Wellington?
We need you to come downtown for some questioning.”

Junior looked up in shock. “What is wrong
with you people? I swear on all that’s holy, I didn’t kill my
father!”

Hicking said, “I’m not about to get into it
here. Now, are you coming peacefully, or are we going to have to do
this the hard way?”

Alex stood up. “Surely you don’t suspect the
man’s own son. He told me himself he had nothing to gain from Reg’s
death except a pound of headaches that come with the business.”

Hicking looked surprised. “Don’t you consider
a million dollars worth of life insurance a good enough
motive?”

Junior stammered, “I never knew anything
about any insurance. What are you talking about?”

Hicking said, “We’ll discuss it downtown, Mr.
Wellington.”

“Wait a minute,” Alex said. “Motive isn’t
enough. There’s no way you can prove he was at the scene of the
crime.”

Hicking looked smug, while Armstrong had a
scowl on his face. The state policeman was evidently acting with
the sheriff’s forced cooperation.

Hicking said, “There you’re wrong. We found a
bloodstain on the clothes the sheriff collected earlier. The lab
confirms there’s a strong possibility it was his father’s
blood.”

Junior said, “This is ridiculous. Dad
probably cut himself shaving and brushed up against me. We shared a
bathroom here, after all.”

Alex said, “It does seem awfully
circumstantial, Sergeant.”

Hicking ignored Alex completely. “We just
want to ask you a few questions, Mr. Wellington, you’re not being
formally arrested, yet. Now we can do it nice and easy, or we can
get rough. But you are going with us, make no mistake about
that.”

Junior got out of his chair and joined the
two officers near the door.

Alex called out, “Is there anyone you’d like
me to contact?”

As Junior walked out between Armstrong and
Hicking, he said, “Don’t worry, Alex, I’ll call my lawyer from the
jail. I didn’t kill my father! It’s important that you believe
me.”

Hicking snapped. “It doesn’t matter what he
thinks. You’d better start concentrating on impressing us.”

Alex walked out with the three men. As the
SBI

agent moved ahead with Junior, Alex whispered
to Armstrong, “Isn’t there anything you can do about this?”

“I’m sorry, Alex. My hands are tied. I’ll
watch out for him, though. Hicking’s not a bad guy, he’s just eager
to make a splash. If Junior didn’t kill his father, I won’t let him
be railroaded for it.”

Alex leaned over to speak to Junior as
Armstrong helped him into the backseat of the squad car. “For what
it’s worth, I believe you, Junior.”

A look of relief washed over the man’s face.
Junior’s arrest snapped Alex out of his lethargy. He was more
determined than ever to find the identity of the real killer. It
was most likely the same individual who had started the fire.

Whoever was playing with matches was going to
get burned, if Alex had anything to say about it.

Alex was still staring at the unlit logs in
the fireplace when Elise walked through the front door. A quick
glance at his watch showed Alex it was only 9:30.

Elise didn’t see him sitting in the darkness.
Once she was inside, she closed the door firmly and leaned her back
against it.

Alex said from his corner of the darkness,
“Hello.”

Elise flipped on the light switch. “Waiting
up for me, Alex?”

He shielded his eyes from the intensity of
the sudden light. “To be honest with you, I forgot you went
out.”

“That’s not very flattering,” she said.

“Where’s Peter?” Alex asked softly.

“I don’t want to talk about him, Alex.”

He said, “That’s fine by me.” The strain
between them was obvious, but Alex didn’t know how to relieve
it.

Elise rubbed her arms. “It’s chilly in here,
don’t you think? Could we have a fire?” The second she said it,
Alex could tell she regretted her word choice. “I’m sorry, I’m sure
that’s the last thing you want.”

“I’ve got to get over it sooner or later,” he
said as he lit the fire. As the flames took hold, Alex said,
“Hicking and Armstrong came by a few minutes ago and took Junior in
for questioning.”

Elise shook her head. “That’s ridiculous.
That man didn’t kill his father. I just don’t believe it.”

Alex said, “That makes two of us. Now all we
have to do is figure out who did.”

“Then we’ll know who burned down the main
keeper’s quarters. We know the arson was an obvious act of
aggression.” Elise paused a moment, then added, “Alex, you know it
is possible that Emma’s tumble on the rocks might have just been an
accident.”

“Maybe, but I’ll feel a lot better when she
wakes up and we can find out for sure.”

Alex brought Elise up to date on everything
he’d learned from Chief Weston and Smiley O’Reilly. The air was
definitely clearing between them. Elise looked as devastated as
Alex felt. When he told her about Grandy’s offer, she looked
thoughtful.

She said, “It’s a little too convenient, him
wanting to buy the place right after the fire. Is there any chance
he set the blaze himself?”

“I’d be lying if I said the thought never
crossed my mind. To be honest with you, I’m more confused than
ever. First thing in the morning I’m going to track Finster down
and make him tell me who his mystery client is. For some reason, I
think that might be the key to this whole mess.”

“Alex, have you decided what you’re going to
do about the long-term plans for the inn? You’ll never stay afloat
now with those rooms gone.”