Justice for Hire Read Online Free PDF Page A

ancient wooden chairs were scattered about, and tables were littered with knickknacks and photos of moments long past. A tattered rug covered most of the sturdy hardwood floor.
    She motioned toward a florid sofa with elaborately carved arms and legs. Jake and Annie sat as Sally perched in a matching chair on the other side of a crowded coffee table. She leaned forward, hands folded in her lap, her face tense.
    “Thanks for seeing us,” Annie said.
    “I don’t know how I can help,” Sally said, her voice breaking. “I told everything to the police.”
    “I realize that,” Annie said, as she felt in her handbag and removed a notepad and pen. “But we need to go over it and get a feel for ourselves.”
    “Such a shocking affair.” Sally frowned and shook her head. “A terrible, terrible thing. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
    “I realize how hard it must have been for you,” Annie said, “but could you go over everything from the beginning?”
    Sally nodded. “I’ll try.” She paused a moment before continuing, “It was such a pleasant morning. Mr. Robinson was such a nice man, you know.” Her voice quivered. “He’d been away for a week and got back over the weekend. He had some big deal going on; bidding on some properties I think. He was the president and CEO of Bonfield. Forever busy, but he always had time for the people who worked for him.”
    Jake asked, “Can you tell us a bit about what Bonfield Development does?”
    Sally smiled. “Most people have probably never heard of the company, but we’ve built high-rises all over the city. Bonfield is a booming company, and like I said, Mr. Robinson was always cooking up a deal.”
    “Would Bonfield Place happen to be one of them?” Annie asked.
    “Yes, it sure is. Probably the biggest project, and one of the best known retail and office complexes in the downtown area.”
    Jake glanced at Annie. “I’ve been there,” he said. “It’s an impressive building.”
    “Can you tell us about this morning when Cheryl Waters arrived?” Annie asked.
    Sally cocked her head. “Is that . . . the girl’s name?”
    Annie nodded. “Yes, we spoke to her a few minutes ago.”
    Sally thought a moment before speaking. “The girl . . . she came in, and said she was there to see Charles Robinson, so I buzzed him on the intercom and he came out.”
    “She had an appointment?” Jake asked.
    “Yes, she did. For 8:30. She was a few minutes early, but Mr. Robinson was able to see her right away.”
    Annie was writing in her notepad. She looked up and asked, “What was her demeanor? Any unusual behavior?”
    “She seemed pleasant enough, but businesslike. Not smiling or anything, just straight to the point.”
    “Did she have the gun in her hand at the time?”
    “Oh, no.”
    “So she didn’t appear to be a threat in any way?”
    “Not at all.”
    “Ok, please continue.”
    “Well, like I said, I buzzed Mr. Robinson, and he came out to meet her, and then . . .” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly. “And then . . . she just shot him.” She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a tissue, dabbing at her eyes.
    “Did you actually see her shoot him?” Jake asked.
    “No, she was behind me. She walked past reception and into the main area. I turned back to my desk as Mr. Robinson came out. That’s when . . . that’s when I heard the shot.”
    “Just one shot?”
    “Two shots before I could turn around, and when I saw him, he’d fallen to the floor.” She paused and dabbed at her eyes again. Her voice shook. “Then she just pointed the gun and shot him again.” She sat back and closed her eyes, dropping her head back. “Dear, dear.” She sighed deeply. “What a terrible mess.”
    Jake waited a moment, allowing Sally to regain her composure. She reminded him of his own grandmother, a sweet old woman who’d left Jake with many fond memories of his childhood. As a boy, it seemed she always had special and interesting things