Read Online Benefit of the Doubt: A Novel by Neal Griffin - Free Book Online

went off on his cell. McKenzie didn’t bother to listen.
    “Fuck you, Sawyer. You ain’t the only one with a crew to run.”

 
    SIX
    The woman took a deep drag from his Pall Mall and passed it back, stained red with caked lipstick. Harlan made no effort to conceal his irritation. Thick smoke floated above the bed and mixed with the stale odors of a room that he figured, like the hooker, was most profitable when rented by the hour. She raised her arms above her head to stretch, and Harlan took in the sight as she arched her back so all that touched the dingy cotton sheets were the bottoms of her tiny feet, the smooth blades of her shoulders, and the cheeks of her round perfection. In terms of her vocation, Harlan believed she had chosen wisely.
    “Give me another drag.” She reached out, but Harlan snatched the cigarette away, his elbow striking hard against her bare breast.
    “Back off, bitch. For what I’m payin’, you can buy your own damn smokes.”
    “Jeez. You got a mean streak.”
    She clutched her chest in pain, and Harlan surmised she was unaccustomed to such rough treatment. A genuine and verifiable redhead, she’d earned her wages and then some, although probably not under the cordial relations she preferred. Harlan sensed her intent to wrap things up and be on her way. He had other plans, and he spoke to correct her thinking.
    “I’m gonna finish my smoke in peace. Then we’ll get back it at. Go clean up some. I want it fresh.”
    “This ain’t no all-you-can-eat buffet. You want another helping, it’ll cost you.” Harlan saw her calculating the dollars against what she must know would be another rough ride. He could almost see the price going up.
    “Don’t worry about the money. You’ll get what you earn, but right now you carry the stink of used whore. I said, clean up.”
    “You’re an asshole,” she mumbled as she strolled naked to the bathroom, massaging her still-aching breast. “Why don’t you watch some TV or something? You need to relax.”
    Harlan took her advice and flipped through the channels, stopping when he came to a news broadcaster talking about the arrest of a local businessman. Sitting up in bed, he listened closely as the reporter spoke of a federal investigation that led to the arrest of Henry Lipinski, owner and operator of Big Henry Used Auto Sales. The reporter mentioned that Lipinski was a former law enforcement officer; his arrest was sending shock waves throughout the community of Chippewa Falls. The twenty-two-year-old prostitute stepped out of the bathroom, dripping wet from the shower and wrapped in a towel. She looked on as a disheveled, irate man was roughly shoved into a police car by several uniformed officers.
    “Hey, I know him. That’s Big Henry. He’s one of my regulars.” She sat on the edge of the bed, and her towel dropped to her waist.
    The reporter continued, “Hundreds of pornographic images have been retrieved from the computers of Lipinski’s auto dealership, and according to authorities, there is ample evidence that Lipinski is associated with a child pornography operation that may have spanned the country and beyond.”
    “Aw, Jeez. I just can’t believe that. Wow. He didn’t seem like that kind of a guy to me.” The sympathy in her voice touched a nerve, and Harlan felt his anger start to build.
    “Yeah? Well, last last I checked, dick-smokin’ hookers don’t get picked for jury duty. Maybe you could be like a character witness or something.”
    She pulled up her towel and spoke with what Harlan figured was her attempt to change the tone. “I guess you just never know about people, huh? He sure fooled me.”
    “I guess you don’t.” His attention was drawn away from her and back to the screen. “He don’t look all that smug now, does he? Ask me, he looks scared shitless.”
    She slid up close, smelling of soap, and began to work him with her hands. Harlan went on, “Yeah. He’s a son of a bitch, all right. Former