Carolyn Arnold - McKinley 04 - Politics is Murder Read Online Free PDF

had taken a run for it. It wouldn’t be the first time that a privileged kid took off, claiming they were suffocating under the media spotlight.
    Wayne moved closer to the edge of the sofa cushion. “You believe she knew the person who did this to her?”
    Sara nodded. The confirmation brought back the days on the job, the moments when she wished she could reel back the bad news she had to deliver and replace it with something happy instead. Unfortunately, even she knew that sometimes life wasn’t fair and didn’t operate within the confines people placed on it.
    “If you have a list of her friends, it might help,” Sean said.
    “You’re going to help us?” The glint in Wayne’s eyes had Sara hoping that Sean wasn’t being hypothetical.
    She turned to face Sean, her eyes making the silent petition.
    “We will do our best.” His words came out, and Sara was likely the only one who picked up on the underlying tone. He didn’t want to disappoint the man if they couldn’t bring his daughter back. “You see, with a case like this, with someone in your position, it might be difficult.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “We’ll have to be careful about who we ask what, or the word will get out that your daughter is missing.”
    “Seems it’s too late for that concern.” Randi came into the room, Reanne trailing behind her. “It just hit the news.”
    Wayne let out a deep sigh that compressed his brow, and the ragged edges of the exhale tugged at Sara’s heart.
    “It was bound to get out the moment the cops were called in to look at her dorm,” Sara offered.
    He nodded, slowly, his eyes disclosing his thoughts were scattered.
    Randi looked down at Sara. “Tell me you’re taking this case.”
    She wanted to say an emphatic yes, but didn’t want to be the one who made the final decision. She turned to Sean and reached for his hand.
    Seconds after scanning his eyes, he conceded. “We will.”
    “Wonderful. Let me get my checkbook.”
    Sean held up a hand to stave Wayne from any further movement. “Payment isn’t necessary.”
    “Absurd.” Randi stepped closer to them.
    “Consider it our way of giving back.”
    Randi’s mouth gaped open, and Sara was certain hers mirrored.
    Reanne moved to her sister’s side and wrapped an arm around her. “You’re going to do this free of charge?”
    “Well,” Sean passed a glimpse to Sara, “it’s not like we need the money and if we can help someone else that is payment enough. Or you could always give the money to charity.”
    “Bless you,” Randi exclaimed, dropping to her knees in front of Sean. “You are both angels.”

     
    Sean got the car door for Sara and, once she was inside, closed it behind her.
    She glanced over at him as he settled behind the wheel. “What you are doing is a beautiful thing.”
    He never wanted to see the depth of admiration in her eyes wash away. He silently pledged to himself that he would do whatever it took to never lose her respect.
    “I think of it this way, what do we need the money for? We have more than anyone could dream possible in a lifetime. People can strive their whole lives for riches and never make even close to what we have, but to what purpose? Have they fed their soul along the way?” He heard the words coming from his mouth but hardly recognized himself talking. He had grown through this experience, and with the realization, he thought of Quinn. For the first time, he truly felt Quinn was watching over him. If he allowed himself to believe in heaven, Quinn was up there with his dad.
    “That is the most beautiful thing.” Sara pressed a few fingers to the corner of her eyes, dabbing tears.
    “It’s true, darling. We said in Cancun we want to help people. You didn’t want to set up a private investigation firm. You said you wanted it to be more off the record.”
    Sara was beaming. His heart sped up, slowed and palpitated. They were on track with their purpose. Before now, he never would have imagined