Murder Checks Inn (Book 3 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page A

name
is Vernum, and he’s a whiz at landscaping, too.”
    “ You never could resist
taking in strays, could you? You’re just as soft as Mom
was.”
    “ Thanks, that’s nice of you
to say,” Alex replied, intentionally misinterpreting the jab in the
comment.
    Elise walked in with an armful of fresh
towels. She put them on one corner of the check-in desk as Tony
moved toward her. “You must be Elise Danton. I’ve heard so many
wonderful things about you, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” For
a second, Alex thought Tony was going to kiss her hand, but he
somehow managed to restrain himself.
    Elise smiled lightly. “It’s nice meeting
you, Tony.”
    Tony said smoothly, “Alex was just going to
show me to my room, but if you’ve got a second, I’d much rather
have you take me.”
    Elise retrieved the towels, then said
levelly, “I think you should go with Alex. I know you two have a
lot to discuss.”
    Alex tried to hide his smile. Sometimes he
forgot how stunning Elise was, with her long chestnut hair and
gentle green eyes. She was an old hand at rebuffing advances, and
she’d sized Tony up in a heartbeat.
    As she walked away, Tony said, “I’m starting
to see why the inn life is so appealing to you, Alex.”
    Alex brushed his brother’s comment off with
a wave of his hand. “You’re out of your league, Tony. Her fiancé’s
just moved to Elkton Falls, and he’s got more money and charm than
either one of us will ever manage in a lifetime.”
    Tony smiled broadly. “Ah, but she’s not
married yet, now is she? You know how I love a challenge. I’m not
giving up that easily.”
    “ You never did,” Alex said,
shaking his head. Some things never changed, and his brother was at
the top of the list. There was no denying Tony could be charming
when it suited him, but he doubted his brother could make an
impression on Elise. It might even be fun to watch, Alex thought as
he showed his brother to his room. Though Tony knew the place as
well as Alex did, the innkeeper’s instinct in him demanded he
escort his brother.
    Alex asked, “Do you want to get settled
first, or should we go into town and take care of the arrangements
for Jase’s funeral now?”
    “ I didn’t think you could
leave the inn,” Tony said as he started unpacking his
bag.
    Alex said, “Elise can handle things while
I’m gone. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to get this over
with as quickly as we can.”
    Tony agreed. “It’s probably the best thing
to do. Uncle Jase never was fond of drawing things out. Let me grab
a quick shower, and I’ll be ready to go in twenty minutes.”
    “ I’ll meet you in my office
downstairs. I’ve got some work I need to do before we
go.”
    Tony smiled. “That’s my little brother, ever
diligent. See you soon.”
    Before Alex could get within a hundred feet
of his office, Cynthia Shays-Trask cornered him in the lobby “Mr.
Winston, I need to speak with you. It’s rather urgent.”
    “ What can I do for you, Ms.
Trask?”
    “ I don’t know how to put
this delicately, but this is the time for boldness. I saw you with
your arms around that imposter at the top of your odd little
lighthouse earlier today, and I want you to know that I won’t stand
for any foolishness from you butting into my family’s business. Do
you understand me?”
    If there was one thing Alex was generally
good at, it was dealing with people. He had learned long ago that
there were as many types of guests at Hatteras West as there were
people in the outside world. Some thrived on rudeness, even seemed
to demand it in return, while others had to be soothed and coddled
over the course of their entire stay, calling for attention
relentlessly. Others came up with the oddest requests,
expecting—no, demanding—that they be met or the world would end.
One of the first skills Alex had acquired as an innkeeper was how
to handle just about everyone who passed through his doors.
    With Cynthia Shays-Trask, he didn’t