Free The Rock 'N Roll Detective's Greatest Hits - a Spike Berenger Anthology by Raymond Benson Page A

I know.”
    Carol entered the waiting room from the conference area. Her face was flushed and it was obvious she had been taking Ross Miles to task. Berenger was pretty sure that Miles put her in her place. Joshua stuck close to her, slightly in back, and refused to look anyone in the eye.
    “Excuse me a second,” Berenger said to Gina. He approached Carol and said, “Hello, Carol.”
    “Well, well, Spike Berenger,” she said, stopping and looking him up and down. “I heard you were working for Flame’s murderer.”
    “Come on, Carol, we’ve known each other a long time,” Berenger said. “For one thing, Adrian’s innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, you know that.”
    She made a sound of disgust. “Oh, he’s guilty, all right.” Her eyes met Gina’s and she continued, “It’s in his breeding.”
    Gina blinked, turned and left the office.
    “Gee whiz, Carol,” Berenger said. “That was harsh, don’t you think?”
    “This whole day has been harsh , Spike. Did you hear what went on in there? My husband gave twenty-five—no, twenty-eight —million dollars to those crazy religious fanatics over there!” She gestured with her head toward Brenda and Theo, who were too elated with each other to hear what was said.
    “He’s your ex -husband, mom,” Joshua said quietly.
    “Whatever.” Carol folded her arms and looked at Berenger. “So, I suspect you’ll want to talk to me about the case?”
    “As a matter of fact—”
    “You know, I don’t have to do that,” she said. “I talked to my lawyer this morning when I heard you’d been retained by the defense. He said I’m under no obligation to talk to private investigators.”
    “That’s right, Carol, you don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to. But seeing as how we’ve known each other a long time—”
    “Save the speech, Spike. I’ll talk to you. It’s against my better judgement but I’ll do it.”
    Berenger nodded at her son. “I’d like to make an appointment to talk with Joshua as well.”
    Joshua shrugged. “I don’t mind.” Carol looked at him and he added, “If mom doesn’t.”
    Berenger tried to smile without giving away his true feelings. For a young man well over twenty-one-years-old, Joshua Duncan certainly wasn’t in control of his own life.
    “Fine,” he said. “I’ll be in touch. It’s good to see you again, Carol.”
    “Yeah, I wish it had been under more pleasant circumstances. Come on, Joshua, let’s get out of here.” She took her son by the arm and strode out the door.
    Berenger lingered to shake hands with Derek Patterson and say he would be in touch, and then he took the elevator to the building lobby. He walked out onto Sixth Avenue and noticed the large black limousine parked at the curb in front of the building. Al Patton stood on the sidewalk, his hulking physique leaning down and speaking to the driver. Berenger waited a moment so he could talk to Patton and heard the door open behind him. Reverend Theo and Brenda Twist came outside. Berenger was surprised to see Brenda open the back door of the limo and get in. Patton ended his conversation with the limo driver and greeted Theo. While the two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, Berenger got a look at the driver, another bald fellow that resembled Bruce Willis on a bad day. The Reverend said goodbye to Patton, nodded at Berenger in a “How are you, today?” friendly gesture, and then got into the limo beside Brenda. As the car pulled out into the busy avenue and sped away, Berenger noticed that the vanity license plate read, “FLAME.”
    Patton moved toward Berenger and said, “How are you, Spike?”
    “Fine, Al.” The two men shook hands. They had known each other for years but maintained a cool, professional relationship with each other. Berenger gestured at the departing limo. “Is that Flame’s limousine?”
    “Uh huh,” Patton said. “Flame’s driver works for the Messengers now that Flame is