Charity Kills (A David Storm Mystery) by Jon Bridgewater

classes, which was basically television broadcasting and basket-weaving. They were easy for Russell, who kept saying he liked the idea of being on TV someday. He might not have been too good at football, but he was charming, and he had everyone on campus watching to see what stunt he would pull next while doing a live broadcast on Tech’s college station. The camera loved him and he was a more than adequate storyteller, so he ended up being a reporter and writing for the college newspaper.
    When they graduated, Russell, Storm, and Angie had all come back to Houston to make their fortunes. He was picked up on one of the local TV stations doing news reports and later being the nightly anchor before becoming the nightly weather man; again his charm worked and he became one of the most recognizable television personalities in the Houston area. He did numerous charity events like golf tournaments and local fund raisers, which added to his notoriety. Unlike his friend Storm, for Russell monogamy with a single woman had never entered his mind. The world he viewed was his playground, and a variety of female partners only added to the fun.
    Storm turned to Russell. “You’ve been in Houston all your life just like I have and you’ve been with the TV station for more years then either of us wants to remember. Have you ever heard of a girl being killed at the barbecue before?”
    “Not that I remember, Rain Man, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Why do you ask?”
    Storm knew that anything he told Russell was between the two of them. “When I was at the precinct this morning Hernandez said something like, ‘So you got the Dome murder.’ Then he insinuated that there had been others, but when I pressed him about what he said he clammed up and said—” Storm paused. “He said nothing. He just made up some flimsy excuses and scurried off to his desk.”
    “Hernandez—he’s that guy who lost a leg a few years ago, right?”
    “Yeah, he is the sergeant on the homicide desk now at headquarters.”
    “Well, he probably hears everything that comes in and hears things you probably wouldn’t or you might have forgotten when you were in, well, let’s say, ‘when you were not operating at full function,’ right?”
    “You’re right, but I’m surprised something like that didn’t stick in my mind.”
    “Are you going to ask him more about it?’
    “Yeah, but that will have to wait until later,” Storm growled, still struggling with the coffee pot.
    “Well, I could ask the old time news guys at the station if you want. Do some digging around.”
    “Would you?” Storm had hoped Russell would volunteer to do so.
    “Sure. Now, about this coffee you’re making.” Russell looked at the coffeemaker and just shook his head and stepped into the operation. If he didn’t take over, the coffee would never get made and even if Storm had gotten it to perk, the coffee would taste like road tar.
    “So, you going out to the Dome to talk to the show people?” asked Russell.
    “Yeah. Lieutenant Flynn said that the mayor had already talked to them and they were going to help in any way they can.” Storm looked at Russell as if it made sense that the mayor was already talking to the show.
    “Look, Storm. That doesn’t set with me. The mayor already knows about this?” asked Russell.
    Storm could see the question marks appear in his friend’s’ eyes . He’s thinking, “why is the mayor involved in this?” Storm just shook his head “yes.”
    “What else did your lieutenant tell you?” pressed Russell.
    “That the Livestock Show was going to help to keep it quiet.” Again Storm looked to Russell for comment. “You know better than I do how much influence those people have with the mayor and his cronies.”
    Storm knew Russell’s dad had been a big wheel at the Livestock Show and Russell had grown up around it. Even if disillusioned with the whole kit and caboodle of the Show, he still retained his perks and