William Bernhardt - Murder One

“Loving,” Ben said finally, “you’re still in touch with some of the boys in black, aren’t you?”

“I know a fair number, yeah.”

“Think you could do a little investigating? See what you can find out about all this?”

“Well, Skipper, I don’t think anyone’s gonna admit that they’re plantin’ evidence to frame you and Keri.”

“I realize that. But you might hear something. Learn something we don’t know.”

“Doubtful.”

“It’s always possible someone will talk.”

Loving inflated his massive chest, then sighed. “I’ll give it the ol’ college try, Skipper. But I’m not holdin’ my breath.”

“That’s all I can ask. Unfortunately, that’s not the only possibility we need to check out. Keri also thinks it’s possible there could be a mob connection.”

Jones shot up out of his chair. “Mob connection? Are you kidding?”

“ ’Fraid not. Apparently Joe McNaughton was investigating Tony Catrona at the time of his murder.”

“Makes sense,” Loving mused. “When you think about it, doesn’t this whole thing look like a mob hit? Puttin’ his body on display and mutilatin’ it. That’s got mob written all over it.”

“Tony Catrona! Mob executions! Jiminy Christmas!” Jones bounced up and down. “How can I say this, Boss? Like—I’m outta here.”

“Sit down, Shaggy. This is no time for faint hearts.”

“Boss, we’re talking about the mob. Those people would as soon blow you away as look at you. I’m not having anything to do with them.”

“I agree,” Paula interjected. “I don’t want my puddin’ pie messing around with any gangland thugs.”

“Pity,” Ben said quietly. “This could’ve been your big chance.”

Jones’s head turned slowly. “Big chance. Meaning?”

Ben shrugged. “Aren’t you the one who’s always telling me you want to do more investigating? Get out in the field?”

“Ye-essss …”

“Well, this is your opportunity. I need another investigator to figure out what all these people are up to.”

“Ben Kincaid!” Paula said. “You should be ashamed of yourself! You’re shamelessly manipulating him. And you ended a sentence with a preposition.”

“It’s a simple mathematical equation, Paula. I’ve got two lines of investigation that need to be pursued immediately. And I’ve only got one investigator. I need Jones to take up the slack. So, Jones—are you in?”

Jones frowned. “I’m in. Just tell me what to do.”

“First, get up to speed on Catrona. Then find out what, if anything, Joe McNaughton had learned about him. Like something that might’ve gotten him rubbed out. But start your research in the usual ways: books, newspapers, Internet. Don’t go anywhere near Catrona without my say-so.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“I mean it, Jones. You report to me every day. I don’t want you taking any unnecessary risks.”

“But you know he will.” Paula folded her arms, furious. “Ben, if anything happens, I’ll never forgive you.”

“Paula, I promise you I won’t let him go up against Catrona or any of his associates. I just—”

“Ben, can I say something?” It was the first time Keri had spoken more than a word since the meeting had begun. It was almost startling, hearing that quiet, scared voice emerge from the folds of hair and clothing. “I have a brother.”

“I know. Kirk. Met him in the courtroom.”

“Yes. But what you don’t know is—” She stared down at her hands. “What you don’t know is that he’s very hotheaded. I mean—sometimes—he just loses control. Especially when it comes to me.”

Ben smiled. “It’s only natural for him to be protective of his sister.”

“There’s more. He’s—very religious. And he’s disappeared. I haven’t seen him for months. But when he finds out I’m being threatened again, I’m afraid he might do something … crazy.”

Oh great, Ben thought. The only thing this case lacked was some whacked-out religious zealot. And now they had it. “We’ll try to find him, Keri.”

“Thanks.” Keri sank back into her chair.

“Christina,” Ben continued, “our new legal eagle, will be handling most of the law-related rigmarole. I can promise you the D.A.’s office will be pressing hard, on both cases. They’ve got a big staff over there, and they’ll try to use that to their advantage. They’ll be slinging motions and briefs, trying to keep us scrambling so we won’t have time to investigate.” He glanced her way. “But you’re not going to let that happen.”

“You bet your sweet bippy I’m not.”

“And I have a few … miscellaneous matters I want to investigate. So, if there’s nothing else—”

“Excuse me, den mother,” Christina cut in, “but aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Like …?”

“Like, you’re also a defendant, remember? You can’t be investigating. It will look self-serving, like you’re just trying to bail yourself out. Plus you’ve had way too much publicity. Anybody and everybody related to this case will recognize your face. No one’s going to talk to you.”

“That may be true, but I—”

“No buts about it, Danger Boy. Like it or not, you’ll have to maintain a low profile. You can’t run this case. Which means I will.”

“Now, Christina, I—”

“Ben, this is the way it has to be and you know it. You can’t be running all over town quizzing people when you’re a defendant. If for no other reason, the judge might revoke your bail.”

A disturbing possibility. “But I still think—”

“Forget it, Ben. You’re out and I’m in. I’m taking over.”

Ben drew in his chin. “You know, Christina, you should really consider getting some kind of assertiveness training. I hate to see someone with your talents being so mousy and reserved.”

“Hardy-har-har. But you know I’m right.”

“Sadly enough, I do.” He leaned toward Keri. “You’re the client; you get to make the final call. Is this all right with you?”

She hesitated for barely a moment, but it was not so brief that it was not noticed by both Ben and Christina. “Of course, Ben. Whatever you think.”

“I still plan to handle your case at trial,” Ben said. “Unless I’m behind bars at the time.”

“I’m glad.” She took his hand and squeezed it. She did not let go.

“That’s it,” Ben said. “Now get to work. We don’t have much time. The second any of you turn anything up, I want to hear about it.”

After the rest of them departed, Ben drew closer to Keri. Their hands were still linked.

“I’m sure this is all traumatic for you, Keri, and I’m sorry about that. But I want you to know that we’re going to do everything possible to help you.”

“But Ben—” Her eyes glistened. “You know I never had much money. And what I did have ran out a long time ago.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he reassured her. “We’ll figure something out. For the moment, we need to concentrate on getting you acquitted. Again.”

She nodded, barely perceptibly. Ben could see she was trying to be brave, but the strain was too much. Tears came unbidden, tumbling forth from those vivid blue eyes.

“Ben … I’m so scared.”

“I know you are.”

“Please—hold me.”

Ben drew her in and hugged her tight. The smell of her hair, her skin, overwhelmed him. There was no denying that he found her extremely attractive. Who wouldn’t? But it wouldn’t be right, not now, not when she was scared and vulnerable. Not while she was still his client.

But when she was so close, when her warm soft body pressed against his, it was impossible not to think about it.

“Don’t let go,” she whispered. “Please. Don’t ever let go.”