Due Diligence Read Online Free PDF Page B

nasty looking bruises. About a year ago he came to work with a black eye and his arm in a cast. He refused to tell anyone how it happened and apparently never filed a medical claim through the office.”
    â€œAny chance that one of Bruce’s boyfriends got angry,” Benny said, “and decided to dump him…literally?”
    â€œPossible,” David said, “but not likely.”
    â€œWhy not?” I asked.
    â€œBruce lived in the downstairs apartment of a duplex,” David explained. “According to the detective, Bruce’s entire apartment had been searched thoroughly long before the police got there. Very thoroughly. Mattress slashed, wallpaper ripped down. The place was trashed.”
    Benny nodded. “That sounds like more than just an old boyfriend looking for love letters.”
    â€œDo the police know what the searchers were looking for?” I asked.
    â€œNo,” David said. “Nor whether they found it. The police assume that the break-in is tied to the homicide, but beyond that they’re completely baffled.”
    â€œYou said this guy lived in a duplex, right?” Benny asked. “What about his upstairs neighbors?”
    â€œNo help there,” David said. “Two airline stewardesses. According to the police, they didn’t see or hear anything unusual, but they haven’t been around much. Both of them were out of town during most of last week.”
    â€œFrom what Bruce told you,” I mused, “this probably had something to do with his work.”
    â€œThat’s what I told the police detective,” David said. “He was planning to talk to one of the managing partners later on Friday. I’ve already made an appointment for tomorrow morning.”
    â€œAn appointment?” I said. “Where?”
    â€œSmilow and Sullivan.”
    â€œIs that where he worked?” Benny asked.
    David nodded. “It’s an engineering consulting firm. I’m meeting with Mr. Sullivan.”
    â€œWhy?” I asked quietly.
    David looked at me with sad eyes. “Because I need to. Whatever Bruce came across, whatever was bothering him, was obviously far more significant than I thought at the time.”
    â€œMore than anyone thought,” I said, “me included. You can’t blame yourself for his death, David.”
    â€œI’m not, Rachel.” He paused and then smiled sheepishly. “And don’t worry, I’m not becoming a rabbi detective. I’ll leave that to the mystery writers.” The smile faded. “But I was Bruce’s rabbi. He came to me with a concern. Whatever the police ultimately discover, I owe it to Bruce to at least make a few inquiries to try to find out what was troubling him.”
    â€œLet me warn you,” I told him, “I’ve been there before, trying to put that kind of puzzle back together. It can be awfully frustrating.”
    David nodded. “I realize that. But I have to try. I’ve got a little to go on. He sent me some sort of list of names.”
    â€œWho did?”
    â€œBruce. Around the time I told him to contact you. He said he wanted me to keep the original. I’m embarrassed to say I forgot about it until yesterday.”
    â€œWhose names?” I asked, intrigued.
    David shrugged. “I have no idea. I found the list at home yesterday.”
    â€œI’d like to see it,” I said.
    As we were leaving Seamus McDaniel’s, Benny asked whether we wanted to join him down at Mississippi Nights on the Landing to hear a blues band that had been one of my favorites back when I lived in Chicago.
    â€œRats,” I said, groaning. “I’d love to, but I’ve got a function tonight.” I looked at David. “You should go, David. They’re great. They used to play one Sunday a month at Biddy Mulligan’s, which is this blues bar a few blocks from my old apartment in Chicago.”
    â€œI wish I could,”