OK, here is a big clue !!!
I had another inbox showing in my control panel that showed zero messages when collapsed. However, when I expanded it there was a message in there from long ago.
Deleted it and the folder went away to leave my other inbox with 3 messages in it. I clicked the link to clear VMI and finally the stutter tone went away.
So to summarize, phantom inbox with message. I guess a beta account leftover.
Did this about 20:10 EST if you want to check the logs for my account.