Carolyn Arnold - McKinley 01 - The Day Job is Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

form. What his dad did provide was a solid base for Sean to become an independent adult who knew how to work for a living—but that foundation was well established before his father was put into his final resting place. It was due to his upbringing that Sean learned to respect his elders, and to utilize etiquette in a world that had almost forgotten of its existence.
    He had no idea what was in store today, and it didn’t matter if all he got was a package of embroidered handkerchiefs. Quinn had passed on a legacy that wasn’t measurable by fiscal return and he was certain the appointment would be brief, allowing him time to get a birthday gift for Sara.
    The receptionist, a trim redhead, glanced over every forty-five seconds, pretty much like clockwork. Every time, her cheeks blushed a shade brighter, until finally she smiled.
    He returned the smile, to be polite, hoping she wouldn’t read anything more into it. Maybe he was too nice to women, and that was the problem.
    He ran his hands down his thighs and then pulled down on his suit jacket. He’d shaved before coming and had put on another nice suit that he had paid too much for, based on his salary. Was it his fault he liked to dress up when he could? It was an unfortunate aspect, with his line of work, that he rarely had the opportunity. It still didn’t stop him from browsing the fine clothiers in the area or from making random purchases.
    “Mr. McKinley, Ms. Graham is ready for you now.” The redhead, who went by Clarissa, as noted on her nameplate, was now standing a few feet away. She smiled warmly.
    “Thank you, Mrs.?”
    “ Miss Scott.” Another polite smile.
    He didn’t overlook the emphasis she’d placed on her marital status. She didn’t want the translation to be lost—she was available and interested.
    He nodded and walked past her, to the office she had pointed out.
    Inside, Daphne Graham stood up from the end of the conference table and walked over, hand extended. “Mr. McKinley, glad you could make it. Please, have a seat.”
    He took in the room. There were another four people besides Ms. Graham—two women, and two men—a pair of each on either side of the table. Everyone was smiling politely.
    Sean dropped in the chair at the end, and she shut the door.
    Daphne went back to her seat and gestured toward the two on her right. “This is Anita and Peter. They are my brother and sister. We run this firm.”
    On second glance, the family resemblance was hard to miss.
    “Guess it must be another brother who is the cop,” Sean said.
    Daphne smiled. “Good memory, Mr. McKinley.”
    “Would you like some water? Coffee? A donut?” Peter asked.
    “No, thank you.” Sean’s eyes glanced over the spread in the middle of the table, but the purpose for being here made any appetite disappear.
    He did reach for a glass and fill it with ice water, though, as he watched the other two on Daphne’s left. They were both mid-sixties and looked familiar—maybe from the funeral? Why hadn’t they been introduced as of yet? They kept smiling at him, and at each other.
    “I see you found no problem getting here,” Anita said.
    “No. As a cop, I know the city pretty well.” He clasped his hands on the table, but the movement struck him as too formal. He opted for wrapping his hands around the glass and taking a sip.
    Daphne’s eyes went from his hands, to his glass. With his rough swallow of liquid, there was the trace of a smile on her lips. She read his discomfort.
    “I will get to the point of why you’re here. Being a detective with Albany PD, you probably already have a good idea.”
    “Mr. Quinn left me something.” It felt so strange to verbalize the situation. His eyes kept drifting to the older man. His style of dress was interesting to say the least. Who wore bowties outside of a wedding party? Sean’s eyes went back to the others around the table.
    The woman beside him pinched at the chunky jewelry that adorned her neck. Anita took a