“How vigorously did she defend her late husband’s honor?”

“Not as adamantly as one might have expected, but maybe she’s just tired. She was quick to point out that no one has ever had a bad word to say about Ben.”

“Maybe we haven’t talked to the right people.”

“Anyone in mind?”

“We’ve only talked to ‘Fans of Ben.’ We haven’t delved into the bad kids at North Valley during Little’s reign. Maybe Marge’s interview with Darnell Arlington can shed some light on the kids that Ben didn’t reach.”

“If she ever gets to Ohio.”

“Yeah, with the way current airline travel is going, someone should bring back the Pony Express.”

DECKER WAS SURPRISED to find a live voice on the line. “You’re still in LAX?”

“I’m on board and they’re about to close the cabin doors,” Marge told him. “That means I should land about fifteen minutes before the appointed interview time. I already told Arlington I’ll be late. He was cool with that.”

“I have a few questions I want you to ask him.” He quickly recapped his conversation with Oliver. “Maybe Little and Arlington were doing something on the side and Ben nudged Arlington out.”

“But Arlington was thousands of miles away the night of the murder.”

“He didn’t kill him—that we know—but maybe he has an idea who did. How’s it going with the Doodoo Sluts?”

“I was going to write all my notes up on the plane and e-mail them to you when I land, but as long as you called, I’ll give you a quick recap.

“Primo Ekerling started the group with a guy named Rudy Banks. Ekerling and Banks are both music producers, and they were involved in a number of lawsuits regarding royalties and back payments.”

“I know that. What about the other members?”

“The group went through a lot of changes, but the final incarnation included Ekerling, Banks, Liam ‘Mad Irish’ O’Dell, and Ryan ‘Mudderfudder’ Goldberg. They had several albums that sold decently. Their biggest hit was a lofty aria entitled ‘Bang Me.’ Banks distributed a ‘best of’ CD two years ago, apparently without sharing any of the profits with the band. Ekerling, O’Dell, and Goldberg had the CD stopped and are currently in litigation to get what was rightfully theirs. Banks is also involved in a lot of lawsuits.”

“I’ve left Rudy Banks a few messages, but he hasn’t called back. If I have to, I’ll hunt him down.”

“And when you do, ask Banks about his high school experiences. Although Ekerling when to school in Baltimore, Banks is a local boy—North Valley, to be exact.”

Decker sat up. “When did he graduate?”