Read Online Reservations for Murder by Tim Myers - Free Book Online

don’t relish making
her any madder at me than she already is.”
    Alex smiled. “Just another benefit of being
sheriff.”
    “I’d send you to get her if I thought she’d
come, but I’ve got a feeling she isn’t exactly eager to talk to
me.”
    A few minutes later, Rachel came back in with
the sheriff. He’d been wrong about one thing; she was perfectly
willing to talk to him. In fact, from the sound of it, Armstrong
wasn’t going to be able to get a question in between the verbal
attacks. Alex was truly glad he wasn’t in the sheriff’s shoes.
    Alex touched the woodworker’s shoulder
lightly to say something when she grabbed his hand and pulled it
off her. She was strong! When she saw that it was Alex, she
immediately released her grip. “Sorry, I didn’t know it was
you.”
    Alex fought the urge to rub the feeling back
into his hand as he said, “Take it easy, Rachel. Sheriff Armstrong
wants the same thing as you do, to find out who killed Jefferson
Lee.”
    “Well it certainly wasn’t Bill.” she
snapped.
    “So answer his questions and help him move
on.”
    Rachel took a breath, then said. “Of course
you’re right, Alex. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
    She turned to the sheriff and said, “Let’s
get this over with. Aren’t you coming?”
    As she stepped into Alex’s office, Armstrong
said, “Thanks.”
    “My pleasure.”
    After the door closed, Alex briskly rubbed
the stiffness out of his hand. He’d had no idea looking at Rachel
just how strong she was. An unwelcome thought crept into his mind.
She would have had plenty of strength to drive that spear into
Jefferson Lee’s chest. He had discounted the women up front, not
thinking they had the physical power to accomplish it, but it was
time to reconsider. Added to that was the fact that Jefferson Lee
had been her boyfriend’s rival, intent on destroying the young
blacksmith’s career. Had Rachel decided to take matters into her
own hands? It was a possibility well worth considering.
    She was much meeker when she left Alex’s
office, even offering him a nod and a slight smile as she walked
past.
    Alex found Armstrong at his desk. “Have any
luck?”
    The sheriff threw his hands up. “Nobody’s
seen anything or done anything around here at all. They’re nothing
but a bunch of innocent lambs.”
    “So where does that leave you?”
    Armstrong leaned back in Alex’s chair, and
the seat protested. The sheriff said, “I’ve interviewed all my
suspects out here. It’s time to catch up with Irene and see if
she’s come up with anything.” As Alex walked him to the squad car,
the sheriff said, “I’ll be in touch, Alex.” Getting into his car,
he said awkwardly, “By the way, I was sorry to hear about
Elise.”
    “She’s not gone forever, Sheriff. She was
called away on a family emergency.”
    “Uh-huh,” the sheriff said quickly as he
started the engine.
    After he was gone, Alex watched the trail of
dust from the squad car as it sped down the lane. Why was everyone
so quick to assume that Elise was gone for good?
    Were they jumping to conclusions, or did all
of Elkton Falls know something that he didn’t?
    He went back into his office and saw
something sparkling in one corner near the copier. Alex retrieved a
bracelet, swung it on two fingers, then put it in his pocket. It
looked familiar, and he was sure Elise must have dropped it when
she’d been cleaning his office. It only made him realize more how
much he missed her.
    But he couldn’t dwell on her departure. He
had an inn to run, and as if that wasn’t enough, he’d promised
Shantara he’d find the murderer.
    There just weren’t enough hours in a day.

Chapter 9

    Alex was relieved when the fair was finally
over for the evening, the crowds of visitors gone at last. One more
day and it would be finished. A part of him regretted agreeing to
let Shantara hold the fair at the inn, particularly during the
Lighthouse Lighting festivities, but he knew in his heart that