Room for Murder (Book 4 in the Lighthouse Inn Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF

doctor’s
attention before he could leave, but Drake was deep in conversation
on his cellular phone as he drove away.
    “ Blast it all, I was
expecting a report,” the sheriff said.
    Alex replied, “He doesn’t know anything yet,
just that there’s no obvious trauma.”
    Armstrong said, “Alex, I don’t like hearing
it secondhand from you. I told you before, I don’t want you getting
involved in this.”
    “ I’m not sure I’m going to
be able to oblige you, Sheriff. Your two main suspects are both my
friends.”
    Armstrong said, “I’m not so sure that buys
you a ticket to the dance. Tell me the truth. Mor asked you to poke
around in this, didn’t he?”
    “ He might have mentioned
it,” Alex admitted reluctantly.
    Armstrong shook his head. “He’s going to
make this a hundred times harder than it has to be, I just know it.
He’s already screaming about bringing in the State Police, and we
don’t even know for sure what happened out here today.”
    “ Is he still in custody?”
Alex asked warily.
    “ He was never in custody,”
the sheriff protested. “I wouldn’t even have bothered taking him
downtown if he hadn’t goaded me into it with that grandstanding of
his. You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was doing it
to protect Emma.”
    Alex felt the relief flood through him. “So
he’s not one of your suspects, then.”
    “ First why don’t we let Doc
Drake figure out exactly what happened to the man before we start
lining up suspects. There will be plenty of time to worry about who
did what after that. For right now, though, Emma and Mor are free
to go about their business, just as long as they don’t plan to take
any trips out of town.”
    Alex said, “They’re getting married in a
month. I’m guessing they’ll be taking a honeymoon right after that.
Most folks do.”
    “ Truth be told, if I don’t
have this wrapped up in a month, I might not be able to stop them,
but I’m going to try.”
    “ Are you at least finished
with Mor’s truck? He won’t
    be able to work without it.” Mor, along with
his partner Les Williamson, owned and operated Mor or Les, Elkton
Falls’ premier handyman service.
    “ I have half a mind to
impound it, he’s being such a thorn in my side. But I’m not about
to do that,” the sheriff added, killing the protest just breaking
Alex’s lips. Armstrong called out to Irene, “How much more time do
you need with the truck?”
    Irene considered the question for a few
moments, then said, “I could do a better, more thorough job if I
had it in the police garage. Get a tow truck, Ducky, and let’s haul
it in.”
    Alex protested, “Is that really necessary? I
mean, you always do a good job in the field.”
    Irene said, “I’ve got the time to be
thorough, Alex. Mrs. Harper cancelled her perm appointment, so I’m
free the rest of the day.”
    Armstrong said, “Irene, you don’t have to
justify your request to Alex. You want Mor’s truck towed in, then
that’s the way it’s going to be.” He saw someone driving up to them
and said, “Now what’s the mayor doing out here at this time of
day?”
    Grady got out of his car and approached
them. “Hi all. I was out this way running an errand, so I thought
I’d come by and see if you’ve made any progress yet.”
    Armstrong said, “I’ve got my crew hard at
work on it.”
    Grady nodded to Irene. “Ma’am.”
    “ Mr. Mayor.”
    Armstrong said, “I told you, as soon as
we’ve come up with something, I’ll let you know.”
    Grady nodded, then patted Alex’s shoulder.
“So, have you thought any more about going into politics?”
    Alex said, “No, sir, I’ve got my hands full
just being an innkeeper.”
    Grady said, “You can do both, Alex.” He
started back for his car, then said, “Talk to you all later.”
    After the mayor drove off, Armstrong headed
to his squad car to call for a tow truck on his radio.
    Alex said, “Irene, do you really have to tow
Mor’s truck into