Read Online The Trials of Nikki Hill by Dick Lochte, Christopher Darden - Free Book Online Page B

are gonna get a little goofy from here on, but I won’t forget to take care of my big boy.”
    When she stood up, she saw that he’d dragged his cedar-filled mattress into the otherwise bare living room. He marched to the lumpy, loud plaid object and plopped down on it proudly.
    “Don’t get too cozy in here,” she told him. “Sooner or later I’m going to make it to the Furniture Mart. Then you and your bed get moved to the spare room at the back.”
    Bird gave her a skeptical look that suggested hell would freeze over before she furnished the room. Then he growled that he was more than ready for dinner.
    “Probably want a walk, too?” she asked.
    He ate while she switched into her jogging gear. She selected a hot-pink outfit because it reflected automobile headlights. It almost glowed in the dark. By the time she’d double-knotted her shoes, snapped on her fanny pack, complete with Walkman, and downed a glass of water, Bird had finished his meal and was eagerly pacing the floor.
    They’d gone about ten blocks when she heard her name on the Walkman. She’d been listening to one of the all-news stations, fully expecting more of the same Gray murder bulletins that had been broadcast during her drive home. A statement from the LAPD that an unnamed suspect was in custody, a sound bite from Arthur Lydon about what a caring boss Maddie had been, and several short eulogies from Hollywood celebrities who considered themselves to be “among her closest friends.”
    What the anchorman was saying now, however, was that “the district attorney’s office has announced the appointment of deputy Nicolette Hill as Joseph Walden’s special assistant. The career prosecutor’s main assignment is to act as liaison between the district attorney and the LAPD Major Crimes unit working on the Madeleine Gray murder.”
    “So
that’s
my main assignment, huh?” Nikki said. “Maybe if Joe Walden had let me know I might have been able to give that
Times
reporter at least one definite answer.”
    The big dog slowed his gait to look back at her.
    “Don’t mind me, Bird,” she said. “Just talking to myself, like all the other crazies.”
    Two messages were waiting on her answering machine when she returned.
    The first was from Loreen Battles. “Well, girl, you keeping secrets from me?” Though her best friend’s raspy smoker’s voice was no less harsh than a weed-whacker scraping the sidewalk, Nikki always found it extremely comforting. “Do I have to get my information about your new job from Channel Five?” Click. End of message.
    The other call had been even more abrupt. A hang-up. No name. No comment. Nikki wondered if it might have been her father, though whatever gave her that idea she couldn’t say. They hadn’t spoken in over two years.
    Loreen was at the beauty salon she owned and operated. Judging by the amount of noise coming through the phone, the place was jumping. It usually was until nine or ten at night. “Oh, it’s you,” Loreen said, pretending disinterest, “my suddenly famous friend who knew me when.”
    “I’ve been wanting to call you all day to tell you about the new job and everything. But I’ve really been on the run.”
    “I know,” Loreen said. “I been watching the TV. Justice in L.A. has a new name. Nicolette Hill.” Nikki laughed. “I’m bad, huh?” “You’re badder than bad,” Loreen said. “Pam Grier’s got nothing on you.”
    Nikki carried the phone into the kitchen. While she searched the shelves for something that might pass for dinner, she filled her friend in on some of the day’s highlights.
    “What’s the scoop on Maddie?” Loreen asked.
    “Much as I love you, girlfriend, I can’t get into that,” Nikki said.
    “Oh, Lord, the sister’s goin’ Hollywood on me.”
    “I knew you’d understand,” Nikki said.
    “Hell I do,” Loreen said, only half joking. “You want to get some food tonight?”
    Nikki peered into her nearly empty fridge. One solitary