Cold Case. Faye Kellerman

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СКАЧАТЬ if you get to bed earlier, it might be easier to wake up earlier.” He was sounding preachy this morning. “How about some scrambled eggs?”

      “If you insist.”

      Decker took out a pan and three eggs. She liked only one yolk and the rest egg whites. He gave the eggs more substance by adding a little milk and cheese. “I need your professional help.”

      Hannah looked up. “My help?”

      “What do you know about the punk scene?”

      “You mean the real punk scene or the retro punk scene.”

      “The original period. I'm interested in a group called the Doodoo Sluts. They peaked in the late eighties.”

      Hannah's smile was genuine. “And the name's for real?”

      “Would I lie?”

      “Yes, but probably not about this. I've never heard of them, Abba. Personally, I never got punk rock, but I am sorry I missed the grunge scene.”

      “That's too bad. I never understood Nirvana's appeal. Jake loved them.”

      “They're not my favorite. I'm talking about Pearl Jam, Sound-garden, and Alice in Chains. But I digress. I have a friend who's a maven on original punk rock. What do you want to know?”

      “Anything he or she can tell me about the Doodoo Sluts.”

      “It's a he—Ari Fieger. He's a bit of a nerd and overly pompous, but he knows his stuff.”

      Decker spooned the scrambled eggs onto a plate. “Here you go.”

      “You're too good to me, Abba. And all I ever do is give you attitude.”

      “You're a terrific daughter.”

      “Now you're lying.”

      “I'm telling the one-hundred-percent truth.” His cell phone rang: it was Marge. “Excuse me, sweetie. Yo.”

      “I'm at the airport waiting for Continental to tell us how long we will be delayed. So far, it's an hour.”

      “That doesn't sound good.”

      “Weather, they say. It's always weather.”

      “When in doubt, blame it on the weather. When is your interview with Darnell Arlington?”

      “Not until eight in the evening. So far we're okay because I've built in an airline delay factor.”

      “Marge, do you have your computer with you?”

      “I do.”

      “Does the wireless work?”

      “It does. What do you need?”

      “Everything you can find on the Doodoo Sluts. Spelled just like it sounds.” He heard her laughing on the other end. “Primo Ekerling was a member of the group. He was suing another former member named Rudy Banks. Ekerling is also involved in another suit with Banks … something about a record they co-produced and Banks withheld money.”

      “Great. It'll give me something to do. Or should I say doodoo.”

      Decker smiled. “I'll talk to you later.” He discontinued the call. “Ready?”

      “Not really, but what's my choice other than malingering.”

      “That won't get you anywhere. You'll just have to make up the work.” Decker hoisted her backpack. “What's in here? Lead?”

      “Meaningless and out-of-date textbooks that you and Eema paid a fortune for.”

      “You're going to hurt yourself carrying all this weight.”

      Hannah hugged her father's arm. “That's why I need a big, strong abba.”

      THE BUILDING WAS four stories of chrome and glass, a stone's throw away from where Suge Knight had set up offices for the notorious Death Row Records, the premier label of L.A. gangsta rap. While investigating a case years ago, Decker used to pass some of Suge's billboards perched atop the office building: people sitting on toilets and other offensive images. Now Tupac was dead and Suge was in jail. Ah, the fleeting phantom of fame.

      Ekerling's office was on the second floor, sandwiched between an insurance agent and a guru named Om Chacra who sported a degree in Far Eastern and holistic medicine. The door was locked and there was no bell, so Decker knocked. The door opened but only a crack because it was bolted by a chain.

      “Yes?”

      “Lieutenant Decker of LAPD. I'm looking for Marilyn Eustis?”

      “You found her. ID, please?”

      Decker slipped his badge into the allotted space and waited. A moment later, the door opened and a slim, leggy blonde with a cigarette was giving him a quick once-over. She returned his billfold. “Can't be too sure nowadays. Come in. The place is a mess, so watch your step.”

      She turned her back, and Decker followed her swaying hair and rear until she pointed to an empty folding chair. “Have a seat. I'll be back in a moment.”

      Decker complied and studied Marilyn. She was dressed in black, and although she was attractive, she emitted nothing but nervous energy. Her blue eyes quivered as if they were bathing in adrenaline.

      He looked around. It was a small room in utter chaos: papers and boxes everywhere with lots of shelves of CDs, most of which were jewel-box demos. A single pot of coffee sat by itself in a corner, looking forlorn. He saw her dragging over a chair and got up to help. “Are you in the process of moving?”

      “Just cleaning out Primo's shit.” She plopped down. “Seeing if there was any money due. He seemed to be current. He was a lousy house keeper, but pretty good with the bills.” She rubbed her neck. “So why are you here? I thought the police had the punks in custody.”

      “They do.”

      “So I repeat, why are you here?”

      Decker leaned toward her. “This, in no way, is a reflection on the detectives involved in Mr. Ekerling's case. I'm sure that the perpetrators in custody did it. I'm here because Primo Ekerling's murder was similar to one that happened over fifteen years ago involving a man named Bennett Alston Little.” He waited for the name to register. When it didn't, he said, “The case has been reopened. I'm in charge and I just want to make sure that the coincidences are merely that— coincidences.”

      Marilyn crossed and uncrossed her slender legs. She was wearing a tight black skirt that showed lots of skin. “What kind of coincidences?”

      Decker told her about the cars and the bodies in the trunks plus the fact that both cases involved public parks after dark.

      She continued to stare. “You're thinking like a serial killer?”

      “The murders were fifteen years apart.”

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