MURDER AT THE PIER (A Sister Sleuths Mystery Book 1) by Rayna Morgan

to cover up criminal activities. But before he
concluded the interview, he took the opportunity to dispel one last lingering
doubt.
    His next question was not aimed at anything Jim Mitchell
had asked him to pursue but something he needed to know for his own peace of
mind. "I guess working a full-time job and helping your Mom take care of
your siblings, you don't have much time to yourself," Paul suggested.
    "Yeah, I keep pretty busy. But don't worry; I find
time for the important stuff like watching the Lakers
game against the Spurs with my buddies Monday night. I still can't believe they
won the game. One of their best
comebacks ever."
    "Unfortunately, I missed a lot of the game. At least I
saw the final minutes when the Lakers made a run of a dozen points." Paul
didn't bother to tell Juan the reason he was unable to watch much of the game
was because his wife was busy discovering a dead body at the Pier. He was
relieved to have assured himself that even though Juan Martinez may have had a
possible motive in being unfairly terminated by the victim, he had a solid
alibi for the time of the murder.
    "I wish you the best, Juan. You're a godsend to your
mother and you're on the right path with your life. Keep working hard. I'm sure
you'll get a diploma and whatever else you set your sights on." Paul shook
Juan's hand, clapping him on the shoulder.
    "Thank you. It means a lot to have people believe in
me."
    As Juan headed back to work, Paul hoped what he had learned
would be enough to convince Tom that Juan Martinez was not the one who killed Neal
Henderson.

Chapter Six
    Lea entered the Carson Building and walked over to the
snack stand. The twenty-one story building was the tallest structure in town.
The front entrance boasted a circular drive with a water fountain. Across the
parking lot was a small retail center hosting a Starbucks, sandwich shop, copy
store, and FedEx.
    The first floor of the office building included a bank, an insurance
company, and an employment agency. Don Carson housed the divisions of his
development company on floors eighteen through twenty. The top floor included a
penthouse reserved for Don and his assistants, and The Apex, the County’s
premier members club known for its outstanding cuisine, sky lounge, and banquet
facilities. With a breathtaking view of the ocean, The Apex was the meeting
place of choice for business, political, and social leaders.
     “Hey, Bobby. How’s it going?” She pulled a bottle of cold
water from the refrigerator and picked up a package of breath mints from the
counter.
    “I’m wonderful, Miss Lea.” The owner of the kiosk was on a
first name basis with everyone who walked into the building except the owner, whom
he always called Mr. Carson out of respect. “Another sunny day in paradise. My
grandkids coming for a visit. Everything is good.”
    “How long will they stay?”
    “Two weeks. Plenty of time for me to talk my daughter and
son-in-law into moving here. “
    Lea laughed. “Or for them to talk you into moving back to
the Philippines. We’d hate to lose you.”
    His broad smile exposed broken teeth. “Don’t worry. My wife
would never hear of it. Besides, how could Mr. Carson keep this big building
running smoothly without me?”
    “Things probably aren’t running too smoothly today with the
news about Neal Henderson.”
    “It’s terrible. All the tenants are buzzing. The police and
reporters were here earlier. Mr. Carson was out of town, but I saw his
helicopter landing on the helipad when I came in at seven o’clock. “
    “Neal was his right-hand man. He’ll have a lot to take on.”
    “Maybe Adam will come home now. It’s too bad such a
terrible thing should be the reason, but everyone would be happy to see that
happen.”
    “I’m sure Adam will do what he thinks is best for all
concerned. From what I hear, he has a girlfriend on the East Coast to
consider.”
     “Rumor is she’s from an old school, old money family. She
may not be