Shopping is Murder (McKinley Mysteries Book 6) (5 page)

Questions That Need Answers

THERE WERE A FEW DISCREPANCIES that stood out to Sean. First, the man with the
Magnum, P.I.
mustache made it sound as if the women weren
’t around when Jerrod Hill had talked about jumping. Yet Nicole mentioned her husband saying the same thing. Was it possible this man, Magnum, was following them and involved with Jerrod’s death somehow?

Second, with the Hills’ residence being in New York, why were they in Albany to shop? Surely there would be higher-end stores in the Big Apple.

If he and Sara were going to proceed, these concerns needed to be addressed, along with the standard inquiry as to whether or not anyone hated him enough, or had a reason, to kill him.

“Why were you shopping in Albany?” Sean asked, watching Nicole’s body language.

Nicole took a deep breath and paired it with a dramatic eye roll.
“We shouldn’t even have been doing the shopping, but Jerrod insisted. He said we’d find unique gifts here. Actually, we were still arguing about it just before—” She paused, her lips curling, her chin contorting, but she composed herself without crying. “You know what it’s like for people like us, Sara, we don’t have to do our own shopping. Why would we? And Black Friday…does it really seem that we need to be concerned with bargains?”

“So, it was Jerrod’s idea that you come here and then he—” Sara didn’t finish the sentence.

Sean sensed from the paleness washing over Sara’s face that her intuitive feelings were kicking in again. She had a way about her that was almost physic, as if she were a mind-reader and foreteller of events. If she felt strongly about something, it usually came true. Right now, based on the set of her jaw and the words she spoke, Sean surmised Sara somehow believed it was Jerrod
’s time and that may be why he was compelled to be in the mall.

“Yes. It’s not fair, really.” Nicole put a hand to her forehead and swept back wisps of brown hair. She sauntered to the bar cart and poured a Scotch. She held the decanter toward Sean, then Sara. “Would either of you care for a glass?”

“No, we’re good, hon,” Sara said, her eyes apologizing to Sean for declining on his behalf as well, but he understood her reasoning. They were gathering facts and needed their minds about them.

“Was he after anything in particular? You had said he thought you’d find unique gifts here,” Sean said.

“Not that he mentioned, just that he’d know it when he saw it.” She took a sip of her drink.

“You really seem to think someone pushed him. Do you know of anyone who doesn’t—didn’t—like your husband?” Sara’s cheeks flushed red.

“He did make it to managing partner at the firm. It went from Cook & Harmon on the letterhead to Cook & Hill.”

“Impressive.”

Nicole nodded and smiled at Sean for the praise.
“He was an impressive man. And you know, we were married for twelve years and just as happy as in the first year. Actually, let’s say the second year. The first is always an adjustment.” She kept her gaze on them as she took another draw on the alcohol. “Or, maybe not for everyone.”

“Did anyone feel like maybe they were slighted by his promotion?” Sean asked.

“Yes, quite a few. Lawyers make no secret of it though. Besides, isn’t it normally the quiet ones who are the most dangerous?”

“Not always, Nicky.” Sara got up and guided Nicole back to the couch. She seemed to be teetering next to the bar cart, her mind absent behind her eyes.

Shock still had a firm hold over her. Her husband was alive just six hours ago and now he was gone.

“Sara, maybe we should get going?”

“Oh, please.” Nicole moved to get off the couch but Sara put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Talking It Out

SARA SETTLED BEHIND THE WHEEL
and already had the engine turned on by the time Sean got into the passenger seat.

“I take it you’re wanting to drive what’s yours?” He smiled at her.

Her
car, a Mercedes SLS AMG GT, had come in while they were in Europe and she was making up for lost time.

“You betcha.”
She ran her hands around the wheel, appreciating the texture of the leather wrap, and tightened her grip.

Sean pulled his belt across.
“There are a couple things not sitting well with me.”

“And those things are?”

“One is that Magnum claims he and Jerrod were alone when he mentioned jumping.”

“We really need to find out his real name, because that nickname…”

“What?” He shrugged and picked up where he had left off. “Nicole said she heard him say that too.”

Sara took one hand from the leather and brushed away the notion. “He could have said it twice.”

“Could have, but I’m not going to assume that’s the case. In the morning, we’ll get ahold of Jimmy and find out Magnum’s real name.”

She snickered. “I think that’s a good idea.”

“Anyway, this guy made it sound like Jerrod was over the railing not long after saying it. At the very least, he could have been the last to see him alive. Not to mention, if we get ahold of Jimmy maybe he’d share the camera footage from the mall with us.”

There was pause and Sara
’s mind was whirling—was this truly happening? Her childhood friend had returned to her life but only as the result of a traumatic event.

“I noticed your expression when you found out shopping in Albany was Jerrod’s idea. You think he came here to meet his death?”

“That wasn’t actually what I was thinking.”

“All right, now I’m intrigued.”

“If it was his idea to come to Albany—was it that simple or was there more to it?”

“Nicole said Jerrod thought they’d find more unique gifts here than anywhere else.”

Sara angled her head to the side.
“And you’re buying that? Albany has something that New York doesn’t?”

“You think he had a specific reason to come here?”

“
Absolutely, Sean, and I think that reason got him killed.”

“Guess we’re not operating under the assumption he jumped.” His smirk sat crooked on his mouth.

“You know, you think you’re so adorable when you’re sarcastic or stating the obvious.”

“I am, aren’t I?” His expression blossomed into a full-fledged smile.

She could have answered him with words—but why, when the alternative was much more satisfying and fun? She leaned over and kissed him passionately until they were both short of breath.

“Mrs. McKinley, you better get us home.”

“Oh yeah, and why’s that?” It was her turn to play brat.

“Because if you don’t, your childhood friend and her parents are going to see more than they bargained for.”

“You’d be dreaming so anyhow.” She teased and pulled out of the driveway. As soon as the tires hit the street, she revved it and shifted into a higher gear.

“If you break yours, you’re not having mine.”

Collecting On A Promise

JIMMY VOIGT FIGURED HE
’D HEAR their names come up sooner or later, and he had wagered on sooner.

When Officer Foster came into his office to let him know about the McKinleys being at the mall, all Jimmy could do was smile.

Sean and Sara had a way of sniffing out an investigation—it was in their blood, whether they wore the badge anymore or not.

Himself, he stood proudly behind the wall of blue and would likely be there until retirement. He doubted that he would be fortunate enough to attract a wealthy benefactor to rewrite his future.

What did surprise him, in reference to the situation, was the fact that Foster had said they were in a hurry to leave because Sara knew the victim
’s wife.

While the evidence leaned toward the man committing suicide, a detailed investigation would confirm the truth—whatever that may be. Unfortunately, the city’s budgets had constraints, and the higher-ups wanted this closed quickly.

“Sergeant.” Officer Salone stood in the doorway, his hand on the frame, his fingers drumming against the wood. “Sean and Sara are here to see you.”

A smile curled his lips.
“Let them in.”

Sara entered first and was the vision of a lady, clutching her purse under her right arm. She wore a navy blue, knee-length pencil skirt paired with a pink blouse and jacket. Her heels were a few inches high, a fashion accessary that Jimmy never understood. As far as he was concerned women were just as attractive in flats, and less complaining.

Sean had his arm draped loosely around Sara
’s waist, and he was dressed to match her in a navy blue suit. The sheen of the fabric spoke to a sizable investment.

Jimmy made a show of gawking at their free hands.
“What? No booze for me this visit?”

“Hey, Jimmy.” Sara smiled at him, warm enough to melt butter, and came over to hug him.

He stood up and put his arms around her small frame.
“Here, I have your woman in my arms, Sean. Admit it, she looks good here.” Jimmy laughed, and so did Sean. There was no threat to interfering in this marriage—besides the obvious fact that Jimmy was technically old enough to be her father. As much as he joked about Sara’s beauty, he thought of her as a daughter and Sean as a son.

Sara worked her way out from behind the desk while Sean and Jimmy shook hands.

“Why don’t you close the door there, Sara?” Jimmy asked her, seeing as she was standing next to it. He had a good feeling about why they were here, and everyone in the department didn’t need to know. Even with the precaution of a closed door, he was certain the walls in the place had ears because rumors circulated like a plague.

Sara latched the door and sat in the chair beside Sean. She reached over for his hand.

The motion stung Jimmy with an instant of melancholy. Even though the world had a high divorce rate, for those involved it still stung like acid. He didn
’t have romance in his life and he was working to accept that. There were times he was brought down by the loneliness, but with Sean and Sara keeping him busy on the side, life was a happier existence.

“You heard didn’t you?” Sara asked.

Jimmy was nodding. “You know what it’s like. Word gets around faster than a lightning bolt.”

Sara chuckled at his analogy.

Sean was smiling.
“We need your help.”

“Figured you might.” Jimmy leaned back in his chair, his fingers clasped over his stomach. He had almost lost Sean and Sara to a case a few months back and had promised to be there for them, no matter what, for whatever they needed. When he’d originally made that oath to Sean, he hadn’t thought it would somehow get him roped into domestic duties.

While Sean and Sara were away he had seen to maintaining their estate. He had made use of their stocked bar, an offered perk, and a refreshing dip in the pool on the hot days. Those days seemed like a distant memory now as the promise of winter hung in the chilled air. But his favorite advantage had been driving Sara’s Mercedes. Somehow, he had to pluck out and destroy all the memories of affluence and go back to being content with his meager existence. It was time to focus on business. “You knew the victim’s wife, Sara?”

She nodded.
“We were childhood friends. Pretty near inseparable.”

Jimmy sensed a sadness there, possibly regret as well.
“People’s lives take them down different paths. It doesn’t make past relationships less special.”

“Thank you, Jimmy.”

He gave her a smile and turned to Sean.
“What is it you need?”

“A few things. But first of all, what way is this case leaning for you guys?”

“Guy falls to his death in a mall. Seems like either a grand show for his exit, or it was intentional. As far as which way we’re leaning, it’s too early yet.” That wasn’t the full truth, but he felt it was his obligation to shelter Sara from what was, despite her history as a cop.

There were too many question marks. If there was a struggle, why no loud shouting before he fell? None of the statements had testified to this happening. In fact, no one had commented on hearing the victim yell or seeing him go over.

What they did have, though, was a statement by both the wife and a man, saying that Jerrod Hill had been exasperated with the amount of shopping he’d been doing and that he’d threatened to end it by jumping.

“I can tell you’re holding back on me, Jimmy.” Sara’s eyes softened further. “But I’m a big girl.”

“You’re right.” He took a second, analyzing how to ease the blow. “We’re leaning toward suicide. I can tell this upsets you, but you asked, remember. Now, this is just the way things are leaning.”

 
“We had a feeling things might be heading in that direction,” Sean began. “It’s why we’re involved.”

Sara
’s head turned to face Sean so rapidly it had Jimmy following suit. He glanced back to Sara and picked up on her subtle smile as she rested her gaze on Sean’s profile. Whenever he was around these two, at least half of that time, he gave in to the hope there was someone out there for him. He shook the thought aside, as he always did. He was too old for this love thing.

Sean continued.
“I take it the mall security cameras revealed nothing.”

“You could say that.” When Jimmy had been told of the situation he’d found it so ridiculous, he wasn’t going to accept it, but it had been confirmed. “No clear view.”

Sean let go of Sara
’s hand and leaned forward. “What do you mean?”

“Just that. The place was so packed, there wasn’t a clear line of sight.”

“Unbelievable.”

“That was exactly my reaction. Their defense was they were fully staffed. I said, look at what good that did. Needless to say, they didn't much appreciate the wisecrack.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Not that I care much whether they did or not.”

“Fully staffed? As they should be on Black Friday. I still can’t believe it.” Sean shook his head. “Did you get anything from anyone’s cell phone?”

“Nope, all useless. Either they weren’t in focus—at all—or they didn’t have a clear line of sight due to all the shoppers.”

The initial appearance of desperation in Sara’s retinas was replaced in a flash. There wasn’t a lot that could hold her down for long. It was why she had been one of his best detectives.

“We need to know the name of a man who was questioned in the room at the same time as us,” she said.

Even though he had made a promise, the thought of crossing a mentally defined line between right and wrong, legal and illegal, made him lock up.

“You said you’d always help us,” Sean interjected.

“Yes, I know what I said.” Jimmy took in his office. It was sufficient to get the job done but not fancy by any terms. Maybe he could adjust to retirement if he got kicked to the street. He had a feeling if that ever happened though, he would land on his feet and Sean and Sara would be there to help him. “I’ll need some information to narrow it down.”

“Of course. Officer Carr took his statement. The man had a mustache like Tom Selleck,” Sara said.

“And don’t forget his cranky wife.” Sean laughed, earning a snicker from Jimmy.

“Bev,” Sara intercepted. “I remember him mentioning her name.”