“And it’s going to rain more, too,” Carlton added lamely.

  “It’s too late to use that excuse for our cover story, you idiot,” Val told her husband. “You already told them the truth. Not that we need to lie to anyone. We’re going, and that’s that.”

  “Okay,” Alex said. “Good-bye.”

  Val looked as though she’d been expecting him to put up a fight, so, with the wind out of her sails, at least temporarily, she turned to her husband and said, “Come on. I won’t spend another second in this place I don’t have to.”

  “I’m coming, enough with the scolding,” Carlton said with an edge in his voice.

  Once they were gone, Elise said, “So, that explains their odd behavior earlier. Can you imagine it? They were paranoid about us. I’d love to know what they would think if they knew some of the things we suspected them of.”

  “Elise, I didn’t get the feeling that was two people fleeing the scene of the crime, did you?”

  “No, it was more like two people who had enough and were getting out, no matter what.”

  “Maybe they don’t need to be on our list anymore,” Alex suggested.

  “Maybe. Let’s go join the others and see what’s going on.”

  “I’m right behind you.”

  Alex and Elise went downstairs a few minutes later, and when they got there, they heard the Eastons telling Charlie the real story behind their sudden departure. The storm alibi hadn’t been needed for anyone after all.

  “Come on, folks, there’s no reason to overreact. I’m sure I can make it worth your while if you just stay. How about a reduction in your nightly rate? I can make it very appealing for you to stay.”

  “Sorry, but it’s not happening. Send us our final bill. Our accountant will pay it, but we’re leaving.”

  They all watched the couple leave, and Alex turned to Charlie and put a hand on his shoulder. “Sorry about that. I know it’s not easy.” Alex had experienced his share of guests suddenly walking out on him, and he knew it wasn’t an easy thing to handle. As an innkeeper, he couldn’t help but feel responsible, no matter how erratic the guests’ behavior might be.

  “If this keeps up, I’m going under, and it’s going to be sooner rather than later,” Charlie mumbled to himself. “What else can go wrong?”

  “I’ve learned never to ask that question, at least not out loud,” Alex said, trying his best to cheer the man up.

  Unfortunately, he failed miserably.

  Chapter 14

  “Do you mind if I join you again tonight?” Helen asked them after Alex and Elise took up their old, familiar table. “I know it’s your honeymoon and all, but I’m getting really tired of eating alone. I don’t have much more time here, but it’s been dragging like chains around my neck waiting to be free.”

  “It must be hard on you,” Alex told Helen as Zinnia took their drink orders. The waitress/maid looked as though she wanted to say something to Elise, but she must have changed her mind. Had she noticed the missing master key after all? Thank goodness they’d put it back on the cart. If she came out and asked them about it, Alex was going to suggest that she check again to be sure that it was missing, just to be on the safe side.

  “It is. Especially these last few days.”

  “Because you were related to Clint somehow?” Alex asked, carefully watching for a reaction from the older woman.

  It turned out that he hadn’t had to watch all that carefully. “How could you? I can’t believe you’d be heartless enough to say something like that to me!” Helen threw her napkin down and raced out of the room. Zinnia tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t be deterred, so the waitress/maid ended up trailing behind her all the way up the stairs.

  “What just happened?” Charlie asked as he rushed into the room. “Helen looked as though she just saw a ghost.”

  “I don’t know what I said,” Alex explained. “I just asked her if she was related to Clint, and she freaked out on me.”

  “Of course they were related! Everybody in town knows that, it’s not exactly a state secret. She was his godmother. Is it any wonder she’s a wreck?”

  “Why does she stay here then? How can she manage to do it?” Elise asked, looking unhappily after the older woman.

  “She doesn’t have a choice. It’s that whole ultimatum thing she told you about before. That’s what we were doing this morning, trying to talk the board out of making her stay for the full term, given what happened to Clint. The blackhearts refused to budge, even after they knew the circumstances. I have a feeling that when Helen returns from exile, heads are going to roll.”

  Zinnia rejoined them. “Nice move, Alex. Why didn’t you punch her in the face while you were at it?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” Alex said lamely.

  “His intentions were good,” Elise tried to explain, but Zinnia wasn’t having it.

  “You know what, boss? You can wait on everybody tonight. I need a break.”

  “Come on, Zinnia. Don’t be that way,” Charlie said.

  “What way is that?” she asked as she walked out of the dining room without even looking back. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be with Helen.”

  “Again, I’m really sorry,” Alex repeated to Charlie after Zinnia was gone.

  “I’m the one who should be apologizing. You didn’t know about Helen’s bond with Clint. She practically raised that boy herself. It’s a wonder she can stand being here at all,” Charlie explained.

  “So, that’s why she was crying this morning after her hike,” Elise said.

  “She puts on a brave face,” Charlie explained, “like she did when you both met her, but she’s hurting deep inside.”

  “And I made it worse,” Alex said, standing.

  “Where are you going?” Charlie asked.

  “To start apologizing,” he replied.

  “To anyone in particular?” Elise asked him as she stood as well.

  “There’s not any real order, but I seem to have made a general mess of things, so I’ll start with whoever I find first.”

  “Dear, sweet, Alex,” Elise said.

  “You probably shouldn’t go with me, Elise. I hate it that I’m going to have to grovel. Doing it in front of you is just going to be that much harder.”

  “I understand, but that wasn’t why I was standing. While you’re doing that, I’m going to be tonight’s server and wait on everyone else.”

  “Sit down, Elise. Alex, you, too,” Charlie said in a commanding voice.

  They had no choice but to follow his wishes. After they were seated again, the innkeeper said, “I’ve done just about everything possible to ruin your honeymoon, but this is where I draw the line, do you understand me? You’re going to have a nice time, and it begins right now!”

  Alex looked around the room, pretending to search for something.

  “What are you looking for?” Charlie asked him.

  “The brass band. A declaration that strong should at least be followed by a parade, don’t you think?”

  He wasn’t sure if he’d taken the right tack with the innkeeper at first, but after a moment, Charlie joined him in his grin. “Okay, maybe I got a little carried away, but I meant what I said.”

  “A little?” Alex asked, not even trying to hide his laughter any more.

  “A lot, then. I’m perfectly capable of stepping in when I’m needed. After all, this place is mine, at least for the moment.” Charlie looked sad for a moment, but then he forced his smile to return. “Enough doom and gloom. Let me grab your drinks, and then I’ll take care of our last remaining guests.”

  Alex glanced over and saw that, though they were still sitting at different tables, Erica and Ian were both watching everything closely. In all the fuss, he’d nearly forgotten that they were even still there.

  “If you’re sure,” Alex and Elise said in nearly perfect unison.

  “I’m positive,” Charlie said.

  The food was incredible as usual, but Alex had hoped that Carrie would come out of the kitchen after their last encounter. Though they’d appeared to patch things up with the chef, Alex wanted to make sure that things were still good between them. Instead, the lodge owner himself delivered the food, bussed the tables, and even refilled their drinks.

  When it was time for dessert, Alex looked up to see Ian leave the dining room. Erica had been watching him the entire time, though discreetly, and the moment he was gone, she raced over to his table and snatched up his cell phone! Evidently he’d left it behind, and she wasn’t going to let the opportunity to snoop get past her.

  “Should you really be doing that?” he asked her from across the room.

  “Why don’t you kindly mind your own business,” Erica said with a grin. “He’s been making notes on this thing since he got here, and I’m going to find out what he’s really been up to.” Erica started playing with the display, and then she smiled brightly. “Can you believe it? He left it unlocked. Just because he can’t get a signal doesn’t mean that he can afford to be that sloppy.” She started reading whatever was on the screen, and Alex and Elise watched as her expression started to darken exponentially as each second passed.

  Ian must have soon realized his mistake, because he came back into the dining room, obviously missing his phone.

  “Seriously? You’re a spy?” she yelled at him, bringing Charlie and Carrie out of the kitchen to see what was going on.

  “You had no right to look at my phone,” Ian said as he tried to grab it. “Give it back to me.”

  “My parents pay you to follow me around! I own you right now. You’re in no position to demand anything from me.”

  Ian finally succeeded in plucking it out of her hands. “Erica, it’s not like that.”

  “Tell me then, what is it like?” Alex couldn’t believe how the normally sweet Erica had turned into a screaming shrew.

  “They’re worried about you,” Ian said, somehow managing to stay calm under the assault.

  “What’s going on?” Charlie asked as he approached the pair.

  “Apparently my parents don’t think I’m able to handle myself, so they hired a watchdog to look out for me,” she explained.

  “Is that true?” Charlie asked him.

  Ian shook his head. “I’m not here looking out for her.”

  “That’s a lie!” Erica shouted. “I saw your phone. You work for my parents, so don’t try to deny it.”

  “I wasn’t going to, but I’m not here to watch you. I’m supposed to keep Brad from getting in touch with you again. If he shows up, I’m supposed to politely ask him to leave, and if that doesn’t work, I’ve been authorized to not be so delicate about making my request.”

  “Brad? What does he have to do with anything?” Erica asked. She was starting to calm down a little. “That’s over.”

  “For you, perhaps,” Ian said, “but he told your parents when you broke up with him that he would win you back, at any cost, whether you wanted him or not. It was a viable threat, Erica. After all, you’re a desirable young woman.”

  “Don’t try to change the subject. Besides, when Alex and Elise got here and it was suggested that we were a couple, you couldn’t wait to deny the fact.” She looked triumphant making the statement.

  Ian just frowned. “That’s only because I’m working, and I’m not supposed to get too close to you. The fact that I’ve been developing feelings for you is making things that much harder.”

  Erica looked as though she’d just been slapped. “What did you just say?”

  “Don’t make me repeat it,” Ian said softly, for the first time showing a crack in his armor.

  “I don’t believe you,” she said suddenly, but Alex had a hunch that she did. Not only that, but he had to wonder if she had feelings for him as well. Why else would she have reacted so strongly when she’d learned his secret? Erica stood up and started for the door.

  “Where are you going?” Ian asked.

  “I’m leaving,” she said simply.

  Everyone else followed as Ian trailed after Erica.

  “What about your luggage?” Charlie asked as he saw her heading for the front door. “There’s no reason to overreact.”

  “I’m not overreacting. Let my bodyguard bring my bags,” she snapped.

  “I’m not your bellboy,” Ian said. “Could you hold still for one second and listen to reason?”

  “I could, but I’m not going to.” Clearly she had a full head of steam, and no one was going to stop her. Erica jumped into her car, with Ian close on her tail.

  “Wow, who knew that we’d be getting dinner and a show?” Alex asked with a wry smile.

  “Alex, do you honestly think this is funny?” Carrie asked him.

  “No,” he said. “Listen, I’m sorry about before. I thought we were good.”

  “We are, but that still doesn’t mean that you should make light of the situation,” she said. “I’d better get back into the kitchen.”

  Once Alex and Elise were seated again, they looked around and realized that they were the only ones still there. Zinnia was upstairs with Helen, Carrie was now in the kitchen, and Charlie had gone in to talk, and perhaps to lend a hand.

  “We sure know how to clean out an inn,” Alex said as he looked around.

  “Practically none of this was our fault, though,” she replied.

  “I’m sorry about Helen. What do you think about Erica and Ian?” Alex asked.

  “I suspected there was something going on there,” she admitted.

  “Seriously? I didn’t have a clue. You knew he’d been hired to watch her?”

  “No, of course not,” Elise said. “I’m talking about them having feelings for each other. I’ve seen too many sidelong looks pass between them to believe otherwise. The only problem is that all of our suspects are leaving the lodge. Alex, I’m afraid we’re not going to be able to solve this murder at all.”

  “Maybe we should follow everyone else’s lead and take off ourselves,” Alex suggested.

  “I’m not quite ready to give up yet, are you?” she asked.

  “I’ll do whatever you want to do,” Alex said.

  “You know what? Suddenly I don’t feel like dessert. Do you want to take a walk with me?”

  “You don’t have to ask twice,” Alex said as they stood up. “Just let me duck into the kitchen to tell Charlie what we’re going to do.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Elise offered.

  They walked in back and found Charlie doing his best to talk Carrie into staying. “I need you,” he said.

  “I’m sorry. I just can’t do it anymore,” she said as she began gathering her knives together. Alex knew she was serious. They’d had a chef stay with them at the inn, and he even took his knives with him on vacation. They were that important to him.

  “At least give me a week to find your replacement,” Charlie begged.

  Carrie seemed to waver. “I don’t know.”

  “I’ll double your salary,” he added desperately.

  “Let me go home to my mother and sleep on it.”

  “That’s all I ask,” he said.

  Carrie slipped past Alex and Elise with barely a nod, and then she was gone.

  “That’s it,” Charlie said. “I’m officially finished. I can’t run a lodge without a chef, or any guests, for that matter. The Bear Creek Lodge is going out of business.”

  “I’m sorry,” Alex said as he patted the man on the shoulder. “Don’t make any rash decisions just yet. You’ve got a great setup here. Luck just hasn’t been going your way lately.”

  “Lately? How about since I first opened?” Charlie asked.

  “Take a week and think about it,” Elise said. “Things might seem brighter in the morning. If not then, perhaps in a few days. Look at it this way. What could it hurt?”

  “I suppose I can only be so broke,” he said with a shrug. “Care for some carrot cake? It’s out of this world.”

  “Do you mind if we take a rain check?” Alex asked him.

  “I get it. You’re leaving, too, aren’t you?” he asked with a layer of resignation in his voice that tore up Alex’s soul.

  “We just want to take a walk,” Elise corrected him. “You’re free to join us, if you’d like.”

  Alex wasn’t sure inviting the morose innkeeper with them was the best idea, but Charlie declined anyway. “I’ve got to do dishes anyway.” He shrugged as he looked at them in turn. “Don’t offer to help.”

  “We won’t,” Alex said. He knew from firsthand experience that washing dishes could be therapeutic. Maybe it would give Charlie a chance to figure out what he was going to do next. Even if he didn’t though, there was a comforting feeling in taking dirty dishes and making them clean again, like starting over fresh.

  “We should grab our jackets,” Alex said as they left the dining room. “The temperature’s bound to be dropping.”

  “Okay,” she agreed.

  Once they were at the top of the stairs, Alex glanced over at Helen’s room. “Elise, would it be okay if I tried to apologize now?”

  “You should try,” she said, patting his shoulder for encouragement.

  Alex tapped on the door, and Zinnia opened it. He’d been expecting a blast from her, but instead, the maid/waitress just smiled. “You just saved me a trip.”

  “Listen, I just want to...”

  She cut him off. “Save it, Alex. I’m sorry. I overreacted. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “I’m sorry, too,” Helen said from inside the room. “For goodness sake, Zinnia, let them in.”

  Alex and Elise joined her and were surprised to find that she was packing. “Are you leaving, too? I thought you had to stay,” Elise said.

  “I don’t care,” Helen said happily. “I’ll take the anger management classes. The truth is, they might do me some good, but I can’t spend another night here.” She said the last bit as she glanced across the hall where her godson had been murdered.

  “I’m driving her into town,” Zinnia said. “How are things going downstairs?”

  “Actually, it’s kind of quiet now,” Alex said.

  “Really? We heard shouting earlier,” Helen said.

  “Oh. Erica found out that her parents had paid Ian to protect her from an ardent suitor. Ian confessed that he had feelings for her, and she stormed out.”

 

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