Naked Justice by William Bernhardt

Author:William Bernhardt [Bernhardt, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-4532-7716-4
Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road
Published: 2012-09-04T17:43:00+00:00

Chapter 36

“I’M AFRAID WE HAVEN’T made much progress,” Mike explained. He was sitting on the edge of the desk in his office, thumbing through the contents of a tan file folder. “Your mad bomber didn’t leave us much to go on.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” After the jury had been selected and Judge Hart recessed the trial for the day, Ben had stopped in at Mike’s office to check the progress of the investigation into the bombing of his office. So far he hadn’t heard much he liked. “No clues in the wreckage?”

“Clues to how it was done, yes. Clues to the identity of the culprit, no.”

Ben pressed his hand against his forehead. He had been hoping for better news. “Are you sure they’ve tried everything?”

“Ben, I’ve been involved in this investigation personally. As you know, I worked arson cases for several years. I know how to roll up my sleeves and root around in the ashes. There just wasn’t anything there.”

Ben nodded grimly. “Say, while you were rooting around in the ashes, you didn’t happen to see my opening statement, did you? In all the excitement, I’ve forgotten what I was planning to say.”

Mike smirked. “I expect you’ll think of something. Lawyers always do.” Mike walked behind his desk where he kept a small compact refrigerator, opened it, and pulled out a Red Dog. “Care for a beer?”

“Thanks, no. Have to deal with Joey.”

“And I’m on duty. But why be a stickler about details?” He screwed off the top and took a long draw. “Are you sure you don’t have any idea who’s gunning for you, Ben?”

“I’m sure. Who would do something like this?”

“I don’t know.” He paused. “Unless he’s someone you really pissed off.”

“I don’t think so. I think it’s someone who’s been drinking in the endless press coverage of this trial. Someone who believes this really is the trial of the century.”

Mike smiled. “Have you noticed how one of those comes along about every two or three years?”

“I suppose if someone listened to that media crap long enough, and watched it often enough, defense attorney Ben Kincaid might start to seem like a celebrity worth stalking. I’ve been more visible on television during the last two weeks than Heather Locklear.”

“Not in nearly as good shape, though.” Mike took another swallow. “You can’t fault the press for covering the story. It’s a matter of public interest.”

“Bull. This is a private tragedy that the press has latched onto because a celebrity is involved. Worse crimes occur every day. But the press loves celebrity stories. They sell papers; they boost ratings.”

“I think you’re wrong, Ben. This case raises a lot of serious issues.”

“That’s the excuse the press always uses. If they want to publicize some lurid statutory rape, well, it’s a child-abuse issue. If they want to dig up trivial mistakes a candidate made thirty years ago, it’s a trust issue. If they want to pry into someone’s sex life, it’s a character issue. What it really is, is a

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