William Bernhardt - Naked Justice

“Well …”

“That’s what’s going on now, Ben, with the police, with the press, and with however many millions of spectators out there who have already made up their minds. You’re going to be taking heat from all sides—the media, the black community, the white community—and the end result will be the same. You could come out of it looking ridiculous.”

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat. “I know better than to try to tell you what to do, Ben … but I can tell you what you should do. It’s not as if Barrett couldn’t get another lawyer. He can buy anyone he wants.”

“Thanks for the advice.” Ben started for the door.

“Hey,” Mike called after him, “have you located your wayward sister?”

“ ’Fraid not.”

Mike nodded. “She’s pretty good at staying out of sight when she doesn’t want to be found. When she dumped me and took off for Montana with that schmuck professor, it took me months to track her down. And I’m a detective.”

“I’m sure she’ll turn up in time.”

“Yeah. How’s Joey?”

“Oh, he’s … fine.”

“He’s a cute kid. As kids go. I like that little squirt.”

You should, Ben thought. Blood will tell. Despite the story Julia had told when she first appeared with the baby, Ben was almost certain Mike was Joey’s father. He had considered telling Mike a million times, but before he took that major step he wanted to be certain, and he couldn’t be certain until he had tracked Julia down and gotten her to confirm his suspicions.

“Give him a hug for me, okay?” Mike said.

“I will,” Ben answered as he walked outside. The sudden glare of sunlight made him squint.

I’ll give him a hug, he thought. But when will Joey hug back?

Chapter 13

THE INSTANT BEN OPENED his apartment door, he was assaulted by the distinctive and unusual smell of seafood. Ben hated seafood. It made him break out in hives.

“Hi, Joni,” Ben said as he laid his briefcase on the kitchen table. Joey was in his playpen fiddling with a busy box. “Thanks for picking Joey up at school.”

“No problemo.”

“I had to run down some information on a possible new case—”

“I know. The mayor. Wowzah! ”

“It’s not that big a deal.”

“Oh, right. Mayor Barrett assembles his own dream team, and you’re it. No biggie.”

“It’s really not—”

“I always tell my sister, Jami—I say, you underestimate our Benjamin. He might make something of himself one day.”

“Well, how nice.”

“Granted, he is a lawyer, and he does spend a lot of time hanging out with cops, but still, give him a chance—”

“I get the drift. By the way, I haven’t seen Jami lately. How is she?”

“Oh, very slack.”

Ben blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“Well, maybe I never noticed so much before I became a responsible caregiver, but she’s not exactly making a difference in our society. She’s been very gloom-ridden since she lost her job at The Body Shop. Can’t get those discounts on exotic herb shampoo anymore. She mostly sits around on the sofa in the same skanky clothes and channel-surfs. She’s become a mistress of time suckage.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Thanks again for picking up the kid.”

“I was glad to do it. Gave me a great excuse to borrow the family wheels. I had a few errands to run.”

Ben’s head tilted a tiny degree. “Errands?”

“Right.”

“And you took Joey along?”

“Right.”

“Uh … Joni …” He loosened his tie. “You wouldn’t take Joey anywhere … inappropriate, would you?”

“Inappropriate? What did you have in mind? An adult book store? An opium den? A biker bar?”

“Joni, be serious. You know I’m responsible for him.”

“Boy, you can say that again.” She dropped her spoon and turned the heat up. “Exhale, Ben. What do you think I am, some tweaked-out bimbo? We went to Bud’s for groceries.”

Relief washed across his face. “What’d you get?”

“Paprika. For the shrimp tarragon.”

Ben leaned over her shoulder and stared into the pot. “I suppose that has … shrimp in it?”

She smiled. “There’s that keen analytical mind of yours again, Ben. Sometimes it’s scary.”

“Ha-ha.” He inhaled the aroma emanating from the stove. Yup, definitely seafood.

“Dinner will be on in five minutes. I can’t wait to see what you think. I’ve never tried anything like this before.”

“Really.”

“I hope it’s good. I mean, I’ll be so disappointed … But I don’t want to apply any pressure. I want an honest appraisal.”

“You know, Booker might be a better judge …”

“He’s working all night. And Mrs. Marmelstein has a cold. Nope, you’re my man, Ben.”

“Oh, gee.” He decided to change the subject. “How’s Joey?”

“His usual quiet self. I do have some concerns about him, though.”

Ben felt a tiny clutching at his heart. “What, has he been unhappy?”

“Not that I’ve noticed.”

“Doesn’t seem to fit in? Doesn’t follow instructions?”

Joni turned away from the stove. “Ben, what’s wrong with you?”

“Then it isn’t—”

“The only concern I have is about Joey’s clothes.”

“Oh.” Ben plopped down in a chair. “What about them? We just bought him several outfits.”

“That was five months ago, Ben. He’s a kid. He grows. And he wears them out. Look at the knees on those overalls he’s wearing.”

“All right,” Ben said, “what are my choices?”

“There are no choices. Only a single imperative. Baby Gap.”

Ben appeared perplexed. “Is that a store?”

Joni’s eyes rolled. “Jeez, Ben, you are totally clueless.”

“I’ve just never cared for clothes shopping. My mother used to take me on these endless expeditions to—”

“Please! Don’t burden me with the nightmarish tale of a rich kid forced to buy beautiful clothes against his will. My heart doesn’t bleed for you.”

“You never had to go to a birthday party wearing a cravat.”

Joni returned to her cooking. “Just leave me some money, Ben. I’ll take the little darling out to Woodland Hills tomorrow and fix him up.”

“If you say so.”

“I do. Remember, Ben, we’re not just caretakers. We’re responsible for his inner being. We have to make sure he can evolve.”

“Right.” Ben lifted Joey out of his playpen. “How’s my little man evolving today?”

Joey didn’t appear displeased to escape the playpen, but he didn’t show any great happiness in it, either.

“C’mon, Joey. How ’bout a little smile for Uncle Ben?”

No smile was forthcoming.

“Okay, how ’bout a tiny titter of merriment?”

No change.

“A modest display of enthusiasm?”

Nope.

“Could you wink your right eye for me?”

Joey began picking his nose.

Ben swung the boy through the air and deposited him in his high chair. “There you go. Almost time for din-din.”

Ben leaned close to Joey’s ear and whispered. “You are glad to see me, though, aren’t you, pal?” Ben peered deeply into the child’s bright blue eyes. What he wouldn’t give to see a flicker of recognition in there, a glimmer of appreciation, a tiny reflection of his own love. But he couldn’t kid himself. He didn’t see it. He didn’t see anything at all except his own desperate face reflected in the iris.

“Here it is,” Joni announced. She placed the main course in the center of the table, laid plates, and gave Joey his vegetable platter. “Eat up. Oooh! This is so exciting!”

Ben calmly scraped a reasonable portion of shrimp tarragon onto his plate. Well, what were a few hives among friends?