Murder One by William Bernhardt Read Free Book Online Page A

happen to see her. I mean, I don’t know, she probably doesn’t care. But still. I wouldn’t want her to worry.”
    “Of course,” Ben said, even though he knew there was no chance that his younger sister, Mike’s ex-wife, would be inquiring after him.
    “Who knows, she may finally realize she needs help with that kid of hers. Heard anything about Joey?”
    Ben shook his head, and for about the millionth time wondered—Did Mike know? Was this just a game, or was he really oblivious to the fact that Joey was his son? Granted, Julia had never acknowledged the paternity to Mike or anyone else, but it was obvious to Ben every time he looked at the kid. Was it possible that Mike missed it?
    “Something else, Ben.” Mike squirmed, shifting his weight from one side of the chair to the other. Ben could tell he was more uncomfortable now than he had been talking about Julia. “About the Dalcanton case.”
    Ben waved his hand. “It’s over, Mike. The court’s ruled.”
    “It may be over for you, Ben, but for a lot of other people I know, it isn’t. And never will be. Until someone pays the price for killing Joe McNaughton.”
    “I can’t lose sleep over what some rednecks are stewing about.”
    “I’m not talking about rednecks here, Ben. Or country bumpkins or militia freaks. I’m talking about cops. Good cops.”
    “Mike, every time I win a case, I make some cop angry. That’s just part of the job. I’m used to it.”
    “This is different, Ben. Way different. Joe McNaughton was a police officer. Moreover—he was well loved, very popular with the rank and file. And the way he died”—Mike shuddered—“in public, and gruesome in the extreme—that really knocked some of the boys for a loop. Probably didn’t help that he was killed by some cheap South Side stripper, either.”
    Ben sat up. “Mike, she was never convicted. And I don’t think—”
    “Yeah, yeah. But I can tell you this—there’s not a guy on the force who isn’t absolutely convinced that she’s guilty. No one’s happy about the way the trial turned out. And a lot of them just aren’t willing to let it go.”
    “So what are you saying? You think Keri is in danger?”
    “Maybe. But mainly I’m worried about you.”
    “Me? I’m just the lawyer.”
    “ ‘Just the lawyer’ is not a phrase I hear much at headquarters. Son-of-a-bitch lawyer, yes. Low-life ambulance-chasing scumbag mother—”
    Ben held up his hands. “I get the picture.”
    “I wouldn’t worry so much if I was going to be around. But I’m not. So watch your back, okay, kemo sabe?”
    “Okay.” Ben pushed himself out of his chair. “When are you leaving?”
    “Immediately.” He followed Ben back to the conference room where the rest of the group was still celebrating. “Well, as soon as I finish that last bottle of champagne.”
    Two hours later, Mike was gone, but the rest of them were still partying. The exuberance of the evening had not diminished with the last of the bubbly. In fact, if anything, Ben thought the rampant merriment had increased.
    They were unwrapping presents now. Loving gave Christina a briefcase embossed with her initials, and Jones and Paula gave her a flowering plant for her new interior office. Christina was obviously pleased and touched.
    “What about you, Skipper?” Loving asked, his voice loud and celebratory.
    “I bet the Boss has something great for her,” Jones said. “I think he’s kind of soft on her, just between you and I.”
    “Between you and me, dear,” Paula said. “So what’s your present, Ben?”
    Ben coughed uncomfortably. “Uh … yeah. Present. Right.”
    Loving looked aghast—and Christina looked shattered.
    “Don’t tell me,” Loving said.
    “Boss, you didn’t—”
    “No, no, I have something. Really.” Ben scrambled awkwardly behind a desk. “I just wasn’t expecting to present it so … publicly.”
    Loving winked at Christina. “Must be somethin’ intimate.”
    Christina rolled her