Free Innkeeping with Murder by Tim Myers Page B

“Son,
don’t ever underestimate a man’s capacity for foolishness.”
    Alex shrugged. “If you’re done looking around
tonight, why don’t you come inside and get a cup of hot tea? Elise
is brewing up a fresh pot for one of our guests.” Alex chuckled
softly to himself.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Miss Halloway is the reason I was checking
out the lighthouse. She said she saw a ghost climbing the
stairs.”
    Armstrong smiled. “I thought I saw someone
through the fog. Should I sneak around back and tap on the window?
That’ll give her a good jolt.”
    “I’m losing enough guests as it is. Let’s not
add to the stampede.”
    The two men walked down the metal stairs,
talking mainly about the fog. When they got to the lobby, Alex
asked Armstrong to wait out on the porch while he explained to the
ladies what had happened. Instead of being relieved, Miss Halloway
looked more flustered than ever.
    “A murder in the lighthouse? My God, why
didn’t you tell me? I’m not staying another night in this
place!”
    Elise kept her voice calm and soothing.
“We’re all upset about it, but there’s no sense in panicking. We
don’t even know if the murderer is still around.”
    Miss Halloway jumped from her chair, stormed
down the hall and disappeared into her room. Alex retrieved the
sheriff. “Looks like she’d rather see ghosts than hear about dead
bodies.”
    Armstrong frowned. “I’m sorry I spooked your
guest, Alex. I just had to get back up there before anybody had a
chance to tamper with any possible evidence.”
    Alex patted the man on the shoulder. “Don’t
worry about it. She’s right, you know. I should have already told
everyone staying here about Reg’s death. I’ll take care of that
first thing in the morning. I sure hope nothing else happens
tonight.”
    Alex turned to Elise. “At the rate we’re
losing guests, we may have to shut down Hatteras West before this
is all over. You might be out of job before you even get
started.”
    Elise moved over to the teapot and poured
cups for Alex, Armstrong and herself. She took a sip, then said,
“I’m not ready to give up just yet. I’ve got a stubborn streak a
mile wide.”
    Alex was relieved to hear that Elise was
willing to stay.
    The sheriff said, “Well, I’d better be moving
along. I think I’ll offer your guest a police escort out of here.
She shouldn’t be driving in this fog if she’s not used to the
roads. After the scare I gave her back there, it’s the least I can
do.”
    Alex smiled. “Thanks, Sheriff. From the look
on her face, you shouldn’t have long to wait.”
    True to Alex’s prediction, ninety seconds
later Elizabeth Halloway stomped down the hallway toward Alex and
Elise. Alex decided to take the offensive. “The sheriff is waiting
to make sure you get into town safely. Don’t worry about the rest
of your bill. We’ll consider your last two nights as compliments of
Hatteras West.”
    She looked flustered by Alex’s generosity,
and without uttering another word, Elizabeth Halloway flung the
door open and stormed out into the foggy night, Armstrong close
behind her.
    Elise chided him gently after they were gone.
“Shame on you, Alex. You stole that poor woman’s thunder.”
    Alex grinned. “Thanks for your help. You
really are good with people, you know that?”
    “It’s a part of being an innkeeper. Now if
you’ll excuse me, I’ll say good-night.”
    “Good-night,” he called out
    After she was gone, Alex went through his
nightly routine of checking the inn to be sure that all was as it
should be.
    It was still hard to believe that Reg was
dead.

Chapter 8

    By the time Alex woke up the next morning,
the fog had burned off in the early morning sunshine; it looked
like another beautiful day.
    He found Elise mopping the front lobby as he
came out of his room. Alex said, “Good morning. You’re getting an
early start, aren’t you?”
    Her smile was warm and genuine when she
looked up from her work. “I’m