Conklin's Corruption (#3) (Conklin's Trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

was company policies and procedures.  Just as I was about to take my seat again, a figure caught my eye and my breath got caught in my throat.
    “Becca, what a pleasant surprise.  I had no idea RJ would give me the privilege to be working with his future daughter-in-law.”  Lee Chino smoothly walked through the door and entered my space.  He was too close, and I took a small step back, attempting to put on a smile.
    “Yes, what a lovely surprise,” I said in the most convincing tone I could.  His pearly white teeth flashed me a smile, and I held my composure as I shook his hand.  I gestured for him to take a seat.  I was not prepared to handle Chino’s accounts.  The last time I saw him was at Mary Conklin’s Valentine’s Day fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the same day I got locked in the bathroom with Tyler’s ex-pedo nanny and had tear gas infiltrate my system.  A shudder went through my spine as I thought about the evening.  Thank God my Ty was there to rescue me.
    “I must admit, your father told me you worked in the commercial department, but I doubted I’d get the privilege to be working with you personally, Becca,” he smiled.
    “Will’s out of the office; he’ll be the one to normally handle your account.  I’m just filling in for him.”  Thank God , I added in my head.
    Lee Chino gave me the creeps.  Even though he was shorter and had a pleasant smile, there was something else hidden behind it, something darker.  Detective Anderson had been asking to see the mock up drafts for the warehouses he was developing, and I couldn’t find them.  I had assumed RJ was dealing with it, but apparently it hadn’t been handled yet.
    Relief washed over my body as Chino sat a chair away from me.  I didn’t like when he was close.  According to Connor, Chino was heavily into the narcotics scene but had never had enough hard evidence to put him away.  I needed to pull myself together and get through this meeting.
    “So, Mr. Chino.  I was told you were interested in building warehouses.  What type of facility will they be utilized for?  Storage?  Manufacturing?”
    “Furniture construction.  I’d love to bring back that aspect of Grand Rapids.  It used to be the largest furniture distributor.  Have you been to the museum?  They have an entire exhibit.”  Lee smiled, leaning closer to me.
    I had seen enough of the museum for the rest of my life.  It happened to be located next to the Native American exhibit.  No need to rehash that night.
    “That’s a great idea.  How many were you planning on building?  Have you purchased the properties yet?  We normally suggest a building inspector go on site to see what the land looks like.”
    Chino looked slightly puzzled.  “We’ve purchased six old buildings and are remodeling them.”
    I flushed.  This was the information I should have already known. 
    “Of course. I apologize for my lack of knowledge on the projects.  Bear with me.”
    Chino gave me a smug smile.  It made my skin crawl.
    We discussed more of what his ideas were for the buildings.  I was surprised with his visions; the man actually had a keen sense of structural design.  Once we went over the original ideas and I had drawn up a few mock drawings, Lee felt satisfied with what we had accomplished.  I even felt the meeting went smoother than I had expected it to when I first saw him walk through the door.
    “Mr. Chino, the next step is for you to schedule a meeting with the finance department.  I’ll bring these drafts and ideas to them, and they’ll be contacting you shortly with the next procedures.”
    Chino leaned back in his chair, putting his hands on his knees and cocking his head to the side while looking at me.  I couldn’t read his expression.
    “So I’ll be meeting with Tyler, I assume?”
    “Honestly, I’m not sure.  Usually Tyler isn’t directly involved with these types of projects.”
    Lee’s eyes hardened.  “I would