Read Online Murder Checks Inn (Book 3 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries) by Tim Myers - Free Book Online

Though they’d
never gone out on a single date, Alex knew her better than he had
most of the girlfriends from his past.
    As Elise transferred the last load of sheets
from the washer to the dryer, she said, “Alex, do you mind if I
have this evening off?”
    “ You’re long past due for
one. It’s fine with me,” he said as he kept folding fresh towels
he’d just taken from the dryer.
    Elise explained, “It’s Peter. He wants us to
have dinner together tonight.”
    Alex said, “I’m sorry, I can’t make it.
Somebody’s got to stay here and run the inn.” He saw the troubled
look in her eyes and added hastily, “I’m just kidding. Have a
wonderful time.”
    Elise shut the door to the dryer as she
said, “I’m sure we’ll manage just fine.”
    After that, their conversation waned. Peter
could manage that without even being there. He came between them
like a wall, shutting everything else out. Alex didn’t say anything
else; he just kept folding towels in a quiet rhythm. It was
remarkable how much laundry they did each and every day for just
one building full of guests. At least it meant the inn was nearly
full. It had to be, running as short on room space as they were.
Even with complete occupancy, they were still in danger of dancing
over into the red. Alex admitted that a healthy bequest of cash
from Jase would have eased some of his more immediate worries about
money, but he still took pride in the fact that his uncle had given
him his most cherished possessions, probably because he knew full
well that Alex would never sell a one of them. Tony, on the other
hand, would have had an appraiser in looking over the books before
sundown.
    Elise finally spoke up. “Alex, are you all
right?”
    “ I wish everyone would stop
asking me that.” He took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, Elise, I’ll
be fine,” he said, trying to act more together than he
felt.
    She stopped him from folding the towel in
his hands and said, “I worry about you, Alex.”
    “ I’m sorry if I’m not very
good company right now, but I feel like I’ve just lost my father
all over again. I’ve got to deal with it; I know that more than
anyone else in the world, but it’s hard.”
    She nodded gently. “I know it is, and I’m
not helping matters, am I? Tell you what, why don’t I cancel my
plans with Peter tonight?”
    “ Don’t, Elise, at least not
on my account. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got to get through
this on my own.”
    “ Okay, but I’m here if you
need me,” Elise said as she paused at the door.
    Alex said, “I know that, and I greatly
appreciate it. Believe me, I really do.”
    As he finished folding the towels, Alex
pondered all that had gone on so recently. The loss of Jase, plus
the added pressure of running an inn with too few rooms, was all
starting to get to him.
    Suddenly Alex felt some of the
claustrophobia Mor had mentioned. If he was strictly honest with
himself, at times he felt trapped by the responsibilities of
running the inn. So why not take a few hours off? They were mostly
caught up on their work, and what they hadn’t done together, Elise
could surely manage on her own. Since he was going to be inn-bound
for the evening, there was time to go into town and see what he
could learn about Jase’s death. After telling Elise his plans, Alex
got into his truck without a single glance back at the inn or the
lighthouse above him as he headed into town.
    Alex found Nadine Crowley working at her
desk in Jase’s office as if nothing had happened to the elder
Winston. Then he saw the shredded tissue in one hand as she tried
to file with the other. Jase Winston, a most conservative man, had
obviously carried his tastes to his office more than his home,
filling the law practice with somber emerald carpets, heavy woolen
drapes and fine leather furniture.
    “ Hi, Mrs. Crowley ...
Nadine,” he added quickly. She’d been his teacher in elementary
school, and it had been nearly impossible to break the