First Kill by Lawrence Kelter Read Free Book Online Page A

night doorman at 14 Sutton Place, stating that Mr. Quinlan entered the building at roughly ten p.m. and remained there all night.” He handed me the envelope.
    I was familiar with 14 Sutton, a red-brick, pre-war building on 56th Street.
    “He’s staying at 14 Sutton?” I said with surprise in my voice. “That’s a nice place. I wish I could afford digs like that.”
    Hartley grinned uneasily. It made him look even more unattractive. “I own several small apartments throughout the city … as investments. As you can imagine, the burden of a trial and incarceration have left Mr. Quinlan with no visible means of support. I simply provide him temporary accommodations.”
    “Wow, you really are a full-service attorney. Do you do catering?”
    Hartley must have had restricted air passages. His laugh sounded more like wheezing. “My but you are delightful. No, Detective, no catering, but event planning is not out of the question.” His attempt at humor was accompanied by additional wheezing.
    “The two of you must be close,” I said.
    “Thick as thieves , Detective.” Quinlan sounded cocky to the core as he hissed the word thieves in his heavy accent.
    “Exactly what I was thinking, Sean … or is it Seamus? It seems I can never keep track.”
    “No hard feelings, Sweetheart—we beat you in a court of law … fair and square,” Quinlan said smugly.
    The lawyer in Hartley stepped forward and took charge. He placed his hand on Quinlan’s arm, putting an end to his smartass chatter. “We’re not here to discuss old matters, Detective, but simply to save you the time and trouble of questioning my client as I have no doubt you’ve planned.”
    “Let me cut to the chase. I assume we’re talking about the night that one Nadine Fey was fatally stabbed. Am I correct?”
    “Exactly correct, Detective,” Hartley replied.
    I took the document out of the envelope and quickly looked it over. “This states that Sean Quinlan was seen entering the building. It doesn’t mention Seamus. Where was he on the night of the murder?”
    “There’s no need to be belligerent, Detective,” Hartley said with wide eyes to convey his outrage.
    “I’m not being belligerent, Mr. Hartley. I’m just making sure this isn’t another of your loopholes.”
    Hartley pressed his palms together. He was wearing gloves, so technically he was pressing calfskin together. “I assure you, Detective, Sean and Seamus are as one in this case. If need be, I can prepare an affidavit to that effect.”
    “Good, because it need be .”
    Quinlan sneered. “You’re a smartass cop, ain’t ya, darlin’? I’ll have you know I spent years on a psychiatrist’s couch.”
    “And all those sessions kept you out of jail. How fortuitous.” I could see that Quinlan was furious. I folded the affidavit and shoved it back into the envelope. “Anyway, this means nothing. You could’ve slipped out the back or through a window.”
    Hartley was clearly unhappy with my lack of tact. “ Really, Detective,” he huffed with outrage. “The apartment is on the tenth floor.”
    “So, you never saw the Wizard of Oz ?”
    “Your point?” Hartley snapped.
    I began to walk back toward the precinct entrance, stopped, turned to face them, and shrugged. “ Monkeys fly.”

Chapter Eleven
    Despite his terrible posture, Cronan Hartley was head and shoulders taller than anyone standing in front of the hostess as he entered the Union Circle Café. He caught Brigitte’s eye immediately. “Give me a moment,” she said to the couple attempting to check in with her. She gathered a menu and a wine list and raced up to Hartley. “Mr. Hartley, you’re alone tonight?” He nodded. “Right this way.”
    “Do you have something quiet, Brigitte? It looks like you’ve got all of New Haven in here tonight.”
    “Yes,” she concurred with a smile. “It’s a busy night in Connecticut—thank God.”
    He rubbed his eye with the heel of his hand.
    “Long day?”
    “Terribly.