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

matter. The
sheriff called a few minutes ago and had me check Jase’s personal
appointment book. Julie was scheduled for an appointment the night
before he died, but I didn’t know anything about it. Sheriff
Armstrong is coming over here for the book.”
    Alex asked, “Was that unusual for Jase to
add appointments to the schedule without telling you about it
first?”
    Nadine frowned. “As far as I can remember,
it’s never happened before. Our appointment books were usually
identical.”
    “ Could you check and see if
there were any other odd entries you can’t account for?”
    “ Of course. His book is
still on his desk.”
    Alex followed Nadine into Jase’s office. He
could almost feel his uncle’s presence in the room, with its
overstuffed chairs and the walnut desk that stretched nearly across
one side of the space.
    She picked up a leather appointment book and
opened it to the day before Jase died.
    Her voice was sharp and immediate as she
said, “Alex, this isn’t right.”
    “ What isn’t?” Alex asked as
he hurried to her.
    “ This notation for the
appointment with Julie. It’s not in Jase’s handwriting. I knew
there was something wrong about it before, but I couldn’t put my
finger on it.”
    Alex couldn’t believe it. “So whoever killed
Jase was trying to set Julie up?”
    “ It looks like it to me. I
was so rushed when the sheriff called, but I can’t believe I didn’t
spot it right away. What are we going to do about it?”
    Alex studied the entry and said, “It’s close
enough to fool just about anybody. I can see how you missed it the
first time you looked at it, Nadine. You need to point out the fact
that the entry is a forgery when the sheriff gets here.” Alex
closed the leather-bound book and handed it to her.
    Nadine said, “Alex, now that I know this is
such an important clue, I can’t stand the thought of it being here
with me. What if something were to happen to it?”
    “ No one’s going to come
looking for it,” Alex said. “Especially the forger. They want this
appointment found, remember?”
    “ What if the killer gets
cold feet and wants to retrieve the evidence? Alex, would you take
it to the sheriff for me?”
    He started to refuse the request, but one
look at Nadine’s face told him that she was honestly in fear for
her safety. , He reached for it and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll make
sure he gets it.”
    Her relief was obvious. “Bless you,
Alex.”
    As Alex tucked the appointment book under
one arm, he added, “Do you have any idea where I can find Julie
Hart?”
    Nadine said, “From what I understand, her
location is supposed to be a secret.”
    Alex said, “Nadine, you’ve known me all my
life. I shouldn’t have to assure you that I’m not going to hurt
her.”
    Nadine studied him a moment, then said, “I
know you’re not, dear boy. She’s staying with our resident
sculptor, Amy Lang, but don’t tell her I’m the one who told
you.”
    “ My lips are sealed.
Thanks, Nadine, you’ve been a big help.”
    “ Your uncle deserved a
better ending than he got. I just hope you catch whoever did this,
Alex.”
    “ Me, too,” Alex said as he
headed out the door.
    Stopping at the police station, Alex was
told that the sheriff was at his usual hangout, Buck’s Grill.
    Sally Anne, Buck’s daughter, met him with a
forced smile.
    Alex asked gently, “Hi, Sally Anne. How are
you doing?”
    “ I’m better, Alex, thanks
for asking. Dad’s still in a stormy mood, though.” Sally Anne’s
boyfriend had proposed to her, and three months later he’d broken
their relationship off with her entirely. The two of them had been
planning to hold the wedding at Hatteras West, with Alex’s
heartfelt approval. He loved it when the inn served as a chapel for
local couples. His own parents had been married at the top of the
lighthouse, and if Alex ever found someone of his own, he planned
to do the same.
    Alex found Sheriff Armstrong on a stool near
the back,