Alex Harris 00 - Armed

whispered as she poked her head in.
    I glanced at my watch. “He’s awfully early.”
    “No, it’s not the copier guy. It’s someone named Kelly Sheridan and her daughter.” The name sounded familiar. “Oh right. Mom said they might be stopping by. I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.”
    “Do you want me to make an appointment for them?”
    “No. Go ahead and show them in. I think I’ll have you talk with the daughter. She’s home from college and wants to get something lined up for the summer.” I held up my hand. A few things Richard Sheridan had told me didn’t make sense. Maybe his wife could clear them up if I presented it correctly. “On second thought, Millie, keep the daughter out there. Tell her all about us. Check her skills and ask Mrs. Sheridan to come in.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

    “What’s that all about?” Sam asked when Millie left.
    “I talked with Mr. Sheridan today. I don’t think he told the truth about his whereabouts the night of the murder. Maybe the wife will tell a different tale,” I said with raised eyebrows and a know-it-all smirk.
    “Well, go to it, Sherlock. I’ll be leaving in a few minutes to take Kendall to her reading group and Henry to the park to run off some energy. I don’t know where he gets it all. Maybe I should just buy a treadmill and strap him to it a couple times a day.”
    My poor sister. Now I knew what my mother went through with me.
    Samantha left and Millie showed Mrs. Sheridan in.
    “Ms. Harris, thank you for taking the time to see me. This is very kind of you on such short notice. I’m sorry we just barged in but your mother said to stop by any time,” Mrs. Sheridan said breezing into the office.
    “It’s no problem. Please, have a seat. Can I offer you anything?”
    “No, thank you. I feel just awful dropping by without an appointment but Sara arrived home last night, and when I told her about the agency she just had to come in. After college she wants to take a long trip backpacking through Europe and wants to get started on her savings. You know how young people are.”
    Kelly Sheridan looked attractive, though not as stylishly dressed as her husband. She had a luscious mane of naturally curly brown hair and sparkling green eyes.
    “I’ve wanted to stop by for some time. I’ve been out of the work force for a while, and with the children grown I’d like to find something. You can only take so much of garden clubs and playing golf.” She gave a short laugh. “Richard, he’s my husband, is so busy at work. He stays longer and longer these days.” Kelly looked out the small window and sighed, “I guess that’s a good thing, though. Business must be good.”
    “What line of work are you looking for?”
    “I worked as a lab technician for a large hospital.”
    “We don’t usually deal in the medical field other than on an administrative level, but I know several people at Yale New Haven I could put you in contact with if that would help?”
    “That would be very nice, thank you,” Mrs. Sheridan said enthusiastically giving me a big smile.
    I reached for my Rolodex and flipped through the cards, stalling for time while I formulated my next move.
    “I met your husband today at Poupée. I’ve been helping out the last few days.”
    “What a horrible thing! I knew Mrs. Scott, oh, not well mind you, but from company picnics and Christmas gatherings. She seemed like a lovely woman. We just arrived home on Tuesday morning from a trip to Europe and the next morning, we heard the terrible news.”
    I nodded and wrote down a name from one of the cards.
    “I always get such terrible jetlag after a long trip,” I fibbed, having never been to Europe in my life and not knowing if trips within the states counted as far as jetlag was concerned.
    “I’m the same way. Though coming in this direction isn’t so bad. And having my daughter arrive last night forced me to get with it a lot faster than normal. Now my husband, he’s another story. Nothing fazes him. He actually went into the office on Tuesday afternoon.” Mrs. Sheridan gave another little laugh.
    I tried to ask the next question without seeming too anxious. “Did he? I worked over there Tuesday afternoon. I don’t remember seeing him. Do you remember the time?”
    Mrs. Sheridan didn’t seem to think the question out of the ordinary.
    “Oh, he left the house about four-thirty. I couldn’t take it any longer and needed a nap. I know you should try to stay awake as