MURDER AT THE PIER (A Sister Sleuths Mystery Book 1) by Rayna Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

think you're right. It could be unfair to the young man. It could also
expose you to a claim of wrongful termination if the situation gets out of
hand. Hopefully, it won't come to that if I can get Juan to be open enough to decide
if there's any merit in John's suspicion."
    "I appreciate it, Paul. Take
whatever time you need with Juan and bill me." Jim lowered his voice as he
opened the door. "I sincerely hope you'll find no reason to pursue this
further. I've seen Juan on the job and know him to be a hard-working,
personable young man."
    "I hope the results of my
interview are favorable to Juan as well, but I’ll be giving you an honest
evaluation."
    "I'd expect no less."
Jim put on his sunglasses. "Juan's working on this site today. I'll have his
supervisor radio him to come to the trailer. Want to grab lunch when you ’re finished?”
    “Thanks, but Lea has reservations
at The Apex. I’m going to meet her at twelve.”
    “Can’t imagine you turning me
down for that beautiful wife of yours. Send me your report.”
    * * *
    To prevent undue
suspicion being cast on Juan, Jim and Paul had agreed the interview would be
camouflaged as screening to select a construction crew for an upcoming new
project. The foreman hadn't been informed of the real purpose of the interview
and expressed skepticism about Juan being considered for the new crew. Jim had
dismissed John's concerns.
    The worker who entered the construction trailer was tall
and lanky. He was a handsome young man with black hair, a high forehead, and
bushy eyebrows framing dark luminous eyes. He walked toward Paul with his hand
outstretched, flashing a broad smile exposing teeth that could have been in a
toothpaste commercial.
    "Juan Martinez, sir. I'm glad to meet you."
    "Likewise, Juan." Paul gestured to the other
chair. "Please, call me Paul. Would you like something cold to
drink?"
    "Thank you. It's heating up pretty good out
there." He held the soda can against his forehead for a moment.
    "Construction work can be grueling," Paul
suggested, hoping to get a read on whether Juan liked his job.
    "Yeah, but it pays well. And it's outdoors. I could
never work in an office all day." Juan took a long gulp of the frosty
beverage, flashing another broad smile.
    "What did you study in school?"
    "I didn't make it to college. I had to drop out of
high school before I got my diploma." Juan stared at the floor.
    "Trouble at school?" Paul asked casually. He
watched the young man's face and hands closely.
    Juan fidgeted slightly in his chair, taking a moment before
responding as if making up his mind about how to answer. He lifted his head to
make eye contact with Paul. His response was blunt; his countenance determined
and confident. "I had plans to go to junior college here in town. I was
saving money to go to State University and get a degree in business."
    "What stopped you from getting your diploma?"
    "My Mom has bad back problems. She used to work in a
laundry, standing all day. After that, she had a job working for a house cleaning
service in town. She started taking pills for the pain and to help her sleep.
The last couple months of my senior year, the drugs she was taking got out of
hand. A dealer was supplying her with narcotics and she got addicted. She ended
up at the hospital on an overdose. I had to drop out of school to take care of
my little brothers and sisters. When she came home from the hospital, she was
sick from the withdrawal for weeks and couldn't start working again. I was the
only one old enough to earn money."
    "That’s tough. Where was your father while all this
was going on?"
    Juan snickered, shifting his long legs under the table.
"Haven't seen the dude since I was four years old. He took off after my
younger brother was born. My other brother and two sisters have different
fathers. Not one stuck around. My Mom's done it all on her own," he said, adding
softly, "with the help of welfare, and me."
    "Quite a load for a young man to carry, helping