Read Online Secondhand Stiff by Sue Ann Jaffarian - Free Book Online Page A

chopped celery and almonds in it, and sometimes golden raisins, never the brown ones.
    â€œWhen Odelia was young,” my mother said, trying to break the worry and tension that clouded the table like the odor of questionable food, “she loved my chicken salad. I made it for her quite often.” She looked at me across the table. “Do you remember, Odelia?”
    â€œI do, Mom. That’s why I picked up a box of golden raisins yesterday at the grocery store, just so you’d make it.” I tried a smile, but it was forced. All of us were thinking about Ina and what was going on at the police station. Chicken salad with raisins, no matter how good, wasn’t bringing us any comfort.
    â€œIt is quite tasty, Grace,” added Renee with little enthusiasm. “Ron would love this. Please give me the recipe before you go.”
    When the doorbell rang, the three of us jumped in our seats. Wainwright, our golden retriever, ran for the door, barking. From the tone of his bark, I knew it was someone familiar. Wainwright usually goes everywhere with Greg, but he’d been sent home with us while Greg went on to the police station.
    I got up and answered, expecting to see my father-in-law. Instead, Mike Steele was on my doorstep. I groaned. “Don’t you have any work to do?”
    By my side, Wainwright was hopping with joy. He loved Steele, leaving it my job to growl through the screen door.
    â€œOf course I do, and so do you. Since you won’t return my calls, you gave me no choice but to track you down. Not to mention, I haven’t met your mother yet and didn’t want her to get away without the pleasure.”
    Steele gave me one of his signature shit-eating grins. He was dressed in his usual designer suit and tie, with the tie loosened a bit. With both hands he gripped a cardboard box without a lid. One glance told me it contained expandable files bulging with documents. I was tempted to slam the door and might have if I’d been alone. Instead, I caved and unlatched the screen door, holding it open for him to enter.
    Once he got past me, Steele put the box down on the coffee table and went straight to my mother-in-law, holding out his right hand. “Renee, how nice to see you again. I think the last time was at Greg’s fortieth birthday party.”
    In spite of her worry over Ina, Renee gave her hand to Steele with a warm smile. “Nice to see you again, Mike. Thank you for coming by to see how we’re doing and for helping Ina.”
    He took her hand between both of his. “Happy to help. Odelia and Greg are like family to me, so that makes you family.” Charm oozed out of Steele soft and slick, like a crayon left in the sun.
    Wainwright was nudging Steele’s leg with his nose. Usually when Steele visits, Wainwright is his first greeting. “Hang on, buddy,” Steele said to the dog, “ladies first.” I almost barfed.
    From Renee, Steele made his way around the table to my mother. “Mrs. Littlejohn, I presume.” He held out his hand to Mom. She took it. “I’m Mike Steele. I work with your daughter. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
    â€œYou’re her boss, right?”
    â€œYes, though some would say it’s really Odelia who’s the boss.” Steele turned to me and grinned.
    â€œI can believe that.” Mom gave Steele a warm welcome. “She can be a regular Miss Bossy Pants.”
    Steele let go of my mother’s hand and squatted down to rub Wainwright’s head and neck. The dog was in Nirvana. “Bossy Pants. I like that,” he said to the dog. “Don’t you, boy? We can add it to Corpse Magnet and Cheesehead Squirrel.”
    I was ready to hit Steele over the head with a fireplace poker, except we didn’t have a fireplace.
    I cleared my throat. “So what’s with the box, Steele?”
    He stood up. “Nothing much. Just a little work to keep you