2nd Chance Part 5

I SPENT THAT WHOLE DAY at the Hall, on the phone with the field or at a grid map of the city overseeing the manhunt for Frank Coombs.We placed a watch on several of his known acquaintances and places where we thought he might run, including Tom Keating's. I did a trace on the yellow Bonneville that had picked Coombs up and ran the phone numbers found on his desk. No help there. By four, the guy who had rented the house in South San Francisco had turned himself in insisting it was the first time he had met Coombs.Coombs had no money, no belongings. No known manner of transport. Every cop in the city had his likeness. So where the h.e.l.l was he?where was Chimera? And what would he do next?I was still at my desk at seven-thirty when Jill walked in.She was only a few days out of the hospital. She had on a brown wrap raincoat, with a Coach briefcase slung over her shoulder. "What're you still doing here?" I shook my head. "Go home and rest.""You got a minute?" she asked."Sure, pull up a chair. Afraid I don't have a beer to offer."."Don't worry" She smiled, opening her bag and removing two Sam Adamses. "I brought my own." She tilted one toward me."What the h.e.l.l." I sighed. We had no trace on Coombs, and it was clear in Jill's face that something was bothering her. I figured it was Steve, already humping some new deal, leaving her alone again.But as soon as she unzipped her case, I saw the blue personnel folder. And then a name, Boxer; Martin C."I must've told you," Jill said, cracking her beer and sitting herself down across from me, "that my father was a defense lawyer back in Highland Park.""Only a hundred times." I flashed her a smile."Actually he was the best lawyer I ever saw. Totally prepared, unswayed by race or what a client could pay. My dad, the totally upright man. Once, I watched him work a case at night at home for six months to overturn the conviction of an itinerant lettuce farmer who was falsely convicted on a rape charge. A lot of people back then were pus.h.i.+ng my dad to run for Congress. I loved my dad. Still do."I sat there silently, watching her eyes grow moist. She took a swig of beer. "Took me until I was a senior in college to realize the b.a.s.t.a.r.d had cheated on my mother for twenty years. The big upstanding man, my hero."I broke into a faint smile. "Marty's been lying to me all along, hasn't he?"Jill nodded, pus.h.i.+ng my father's dog-eared personnel file along with a deposition across my desk. The deposition had been folded open to a page highlighted in yellow. "You might as well read it, Lindsay."I braced myself and, as dispa.s.sionately as I could, read through Kenneth Charles's testimony. Then I read it over again. All the while, a sinking feeling of disappointment. And then fear. My first reaction was not to believe it; anger filled me. But at the same time, I knew it had to be true. My father had lied and covered up his whole life. He had conned and bulls.h.i.+tted and disappointed anyone who ever loved him.My eyes welled up. I felt so betrayed. A tear burned its way down my cheek."so sorry, Lindsay. Believe me, I hated to show you this." Jill reached out a hand and I took it, squeezed hard.For the first time since becoming a cop, I had no idea what to do. I felt a chasm widening; it couldn't be filled with anything that resembled duty or responsibility or right.I shrugged, draining the last of my beer. I smiled at Jill."So whatever happened to your father? Is he still with your mom?" "f.u.c.k, no," she said. "She was so tough sometimes, so cool. I just loved her. She threw him out when I was in law school. He's been living in a two-bedroom condo in Las Colinas ever since."I started to laugh, a painful laugh that mixed with the disappointment and the tears. When I stopped, I was left with this crushed feeling in my heart and all these questions that wouldn't go away. How much had my father known? What had he kept silent about? And finally what was his connection to Chimera?"Thanks," I said. I squeezed Jill's hand again. "I owe you, sweetie.""What are you going to do, Lindsay?"I folded my jacket over my arm. "What I should've done a long time ago. I'm going to find out the truth."

Chapter 97.

MY FATHER WAS IN THE MIDDLE of a game of solitaire when I got home.I shook my head, slightly averting my eyes. I trudged into the kitchen, pulling a Black & Tan out of the fridge. I came over and sank into the chair across from him.My father looked up, maybe feeling the heat of my eyes."Hey, Lindsay.""I was thinking, Dad... about when you left." He continued flipping through the deck of cards. "Why do you want to go through that now?"I kept my gaze on him. "You took me down to the wharf for some ices. Remember? I do. We watched the ferries coming in from Sausalito. You said something like, ''m gonna get on one of those in the next few days, b.u.t.tercup, and I won't be back for a while.' You said it was something between you and Mom. And for a while I waited. But for years I always wondered, Why did you have to leave?"My father's lips moved as if he were trying to frame a response, then he stopped."You were dirty weren't you? It was never about you and Mom. Or the gambling, or the booze. You helped Coombs murder that boy. That's what it was all along. Why you left? Why you came back? None of it had anything to do with us. It was all about you.My father blinked, trying to spit out a reply. "No... ""Did Mom even know? If she did, she always gave us the party line, that it was your gambling, and the alcohol."He put down the deck of cards. His hands were trembling."You may not believe it, Lindsay, but I always loved your mother."I shook my head, and I wanted to get up and hit my father. "You couldn't have. No one could hurt someone they love that much.""Yes, they can." He wet his lips. "I've hurt you."We sat there, frozen in silence, for a few moments. The washed-over anger of so many years was hurtling back at me."How did you find out?" he asked."What does it matter? I was going to find out eventually."He looked stunned, like a fighter hit with a solid uppercut. "That trust, Lindsay, it's been the best thing to happen to me in twenty years.""Then why did you have to use me, Dad? You used me to get to Coombs. You and Coombs killed that boy." "I didn't kill him," my father said, and shook his head back and forth, back and forth. "I just didn't do anything to stop it."A breath came out of him that seemed as if it had been held inside for twenty years. He told me how he had run after Coombs and found him in the alley. Coombs's hands were wrapped around Gerald Sikes's throat. "I told you things were different then. Coombs wanted to teach him a little respect for the uniform. But he kept squeezing. ''s got something,' he told me. I shouted at him, ' go!' When I realized it had gone too far, I went for him. Coombs laughed at me. ' is my territory Marty-boy. If you're scared, get the f.u.c.k out of here.' I didn't know the kid was going to die... When Fallone came on the scene, Coombs let the kid drop and said, ' b.a.s.t.a.r.d was trying to pull a knife on me.' Tom was a vet; he sized it up fast. Told me to get lost. Coombs laughed and said, '...' No one ever disclosed my name."My eyes stung with tears. My heart felt as if it had a rip in it. "Oh, how could you? At least Coombs stood up. But you... you ran."I know I ran," he said. "But I didn't run the other night. I was there for you."I closed my eyes, then opened them again. "It's truth time. You weren't there for me. You were following him. That's why you're back here. Not to protect me... to protect yourself. You came back to kill Frank Coombs."My father's face turned ashen. He ran his hand through his thick white hair. "Maybe at first." He swallowed. "But not now... It changed, Lindsay."I shook my head. Tears were running down my cheeks, and I angrily wiped them away."I know you think that everything that comes out of my mouth is a lie. But it's not. The other night, helping you escape, was the proudest moment of my life. You're my daughter. I love you. I always have."My eyes were still wet, and words came out I wished I could grab back. "I want you to go. I want you to pack up and go back to wherever you were for the past twenty years. I'm a cop, Dad, not your little b.u.t.tercup. Four people have been killed so far. You're involved somehow. And I have no idea how much you know or what you're hiding."My father's face went slack. I could see in the evaporating glow of his eyes how much this hurt."I want you out," I said again. "Right now."I sat there, my arms folded around Martha, while he went into the guest room. A few moments later, he came out with his things packed. He looked small suddenly and alone.Martha's ears stood up. She sensed that something was wrong. She moseyed over to him, and he gently patted her head."Lindsay, I know how much reason I've given you to hate me, but don't do this now. You've got to watch out for Coombs. He's going to come after you. Please, let me help."My heart was breaking. I knew that the minute he walked out the door, I would never see him again."I don't need your help," I said. Then I whispered, "Good-bye, Daddy."

Chapter 98.

FRANK COOMBS leaned stiffly against a pay phone on the corner of Ninth and Bryant. His eyes were riveted on the Hall of Justice. It had all been leading here.The pain in his shoulder cut through his body as if someone were probing at the edges of the wound with a scalpel.For two days he had kept undercover, slipping down to San Bruno, hiding out. But his picture was on the front page of every paper. He had no money. He couldn't even go back and get his things.It was almost two o'clock. The afternoon sun pierced his dark gla.s.ses. There was a crowd on the front steps of the Hall. Lawyers huddling in discussions.Coombs took in a calming breath. h.e.l.l, what do I have to be afraid of? He continued to stare toward the Hall of Justice.They should be afraid.The service revolver was holstered to his waist, thanks to old faithful, Tom Keating. The clip was filled with hollow points. He extended his shooting arm. Okay. He could do this.Coombs turned toward the pay phone. He placed a quarter in the slot and dialed. No more second chances. No more waiting. This was his time. Finally, after twenty-two years in h.e.l.l.On the second ring, a voice answered, "Homicide Detail.""Put me through to Lieutenant Boxer."

Chapter 99.

WE HAD A LINE on one of Coombs's prison cronies who had fled to Redwood City. I was waiting for a call back.All morning, I had pushed the murder case forward while in the back of my mind I replayed the devastating scene with my father. Was I right to judge him for things that had happened twenty years before? More important, what was my father's involvement with Chimera?I was finis.h.i.+ng a sandwich at my desk when Karen stuck her head in. "Call on line one, Lieutenant.""Redwood City?" I asked as I reached for the phone.Karen shook her head. "This person said you would know him. Said he was an old friend of your father's."My body stiffened. "Put it on four," I said. Four was the common line shared by the office. "Start a trace, Karen. Now."I jumped out of my chair, urgently signaling to Jacobi in the outer room. I held up four fingers, pointing to the phone.In seconds, the office exploded into a state of alert. Everybody knew this had to be Chimera.We needed ninety seconds to get a solid read on the trace.Sixty to narrow it down to a sector of town. If he was even calling from town. Lorraine, Morelli, and Chin all ran in, their faces tight with antic.i.p.ation.I picked up the phone. In the squad room, Jacobi picked up as well. "Boxer," I said.... Anything to keep him on the G.o.dd.a.m.n line.I looked at my watch; thirty-five seconds had gone by."Where are you, Coombs?""Always the departmental small talk, huh, Lieutenant?I'm starting to lose some respect for you. You're supposed to be a smart chick. Make your Marty-boy proud. So tell me, how come all these people are dead and you still don't have it figured right?"I could feel him sneering at me. G.o.d, I hated this man."What is it, Coombs? What haven't I figured out?""I heard your daddy ran out on you about the time I went to jail," he said.I knew what he was building up to tell me. Still, I had to keep him on the line. In the outer room, Jacobi was listening, but he was also watching me.Coombs snickered. "You probably thought that the old man was jacking off some barmaid. Or that he left some bad markers out on the street." Coombs put on a voice of mock sympathy. "G.o.d, it must've been tough when he took off and your mom died.""I'm going to enjoy nailing you, Coombs. I'll be there when they start the drip at San Quentin.""Too bad you won't have the chance, sweetheart. But I wanted to tell you something important. Listen. Your old man did leave markers. To me... I own them... I took the fall. For him. For the whole police department. I own them all. I did the time. But guess what, little Lindsay? I wasn't alone."Every fiber in my body tightened. My chest nearly exploded with rage. I glanced at Jacobi. He nodded to me as if to say, a Few more beats... Keep him on."You want me, Coombs? I saw the photo in your room. I know what you want. I'll meet you anywhere... ""You want the killer so bad, it's almost touching. But sorry, I have to pa.s.s on your offer. I've got one more date.""Coombs," I said, glancing at the clock, "you want me, let's go at it. Can you beat a woman, Frank? I don't think you can.""Sorry, Lieutenant. Thanks for the fun talk. But it seems like, everything that happens, you're just a tad too late. I still don't think broads belong in the department. Just an opinion."I heard a click.I ran out into the squad room. Cappy had a line going with Dispatch. I was desperately hoping Coombs hadn't used a cell phone. Cells were the hardest to trace. One -more date... I didn't know what the h.e.l.l Coombs was threatening. What was next? What?"He's still in the city," Cappy shouted to me. He reached for a pen. "He's in a phone booth. They're trying to narrow it down."The detective started to write, then he looked up. His face was screwed in disbelief. "He's in a booth... at the corner of Ninth and Bryant."All of our eyes met, and then everybody in the room was moving.Coombs was calling from a block away.

Chapter 100.

I STRAPPED ON MY GLOCK and yelled a call for closest available unit. Then I charged out of the office. Cappy and Jacobi trailed on my heels.Just a block away... What was Coombs going to do?I didn't wait for the elevator. I bounded down the back stairs as fast as my legs would carry me. In the lobby, I pushed through staffers and civilians standing around and burst through the gla.s.s doors leading to Bryant Street.There was the usual ma.s.s of people milling around on the front steps at lunchtime: lawyers, bondsmen, and detectives.I turned my gaze toward Ninth, craning my head to spot anything. No one who looked like Coombs. Cappy and Jacobi caught up to me."I'll go ahead," Cappy said.Then it hit me. One more date. Coombs was here, wasn't he? He was at the Hall of justice."Police," I shouted, signaling the unsuspecting crowd. "Everybody stand alert."I scanned through the startled crowd for his face. My Glock was at the ready. Bystanders looked at me in wide-eyed surprise. Several crouched down or started to move away.This is what I remember about what happened next:A uniformed cop came up the stairs, walking toward me. I hardly noticed; I was scanning for Coombs's face.The uniform came out of the crowd, the face obscured behind sungla.s.ses and the visor of his hat. He was holding out his hand.I focused right past him, scanning- down the street, searching for Coombs. Then I heard someone shout my name. "Hey! Boxer!"Everything exploded on the steps of the Hall. Jacobi, Cappy, yelling, "Gun... "My eyes flashed toward the cop. In that instant, the strangest thing came clear to me. His blues. He was wearing a patrolman's uniform that I hadn't seen in a while. I fixed on the face, and to my shock, it was Coombs. It was Chimera. I was the date he was planning to keep.Someone spun me from behind as I raised my Glock."Hey!" I yelled.I saw Coombs's gun spurt orange. Twice. Nothing I could do to stop it.Then everything got incredibly crazy and confused. Chaos. Terror.I know that I got off a shot before my body went numb with pain.I saw Coombs lurch forward, his gla.s.ses flying off, his gun pointed my way. He staggered, but he was still coming for me. His dark eyes glared with hate.Then a scary shooting gallery erupted in front of the Hall.A cacophony of loud, echoing pops... five, six, seven in rapid succession, coming from all directions. People were screaming, running for cover.Coombs's blue uniform erupted in bursts of bright red. Cappy and Jacobi were firing at him. His body hurtled backward, jerking with the hits. His face showed terrible pain.The air was laced with a burning cordite smell. The echo of each shot crashed in my ears.Then it was eerily quiet. The silence was startling to me."Oh, Jesus," I remembered saying, finding myself down on the concrete steps. I didn't know for sure if I'd been shot.Jacobi was leaning over me. "Lindsay, stay right there. Be still." His hands were on my shoulders, and his voice reverberated through my brain.I nodded, inventorying my body for a wound. Shouts and walls echoed all around, people rus.h.i.+ng everywhere.I reached for Warren's arm and slowly pulled myself up.He tried to give me an order: "Lindsay, stay down. I'm telling you now."Coombs was on his back, ruptures of crimson oozing out of his blue s.h.i.+rt.I pushed by Jacobi. I had to see Coombs, had to look into his eyes. I hoped he was still alive, because when the monster took his last breath, I wanted him staring up at me.A few uniforms had formed a protective ring around Coombs, ordering everyone to stay clear.Coombs was still alive, labored sounds escaping from his heaving chest. An EMS team came running, two techs lugging equipment. One, a woman, began ripping at Coombs's b.l.o.o.d.y s.h.i.+rt. The other was taking his pressure and setting up an IV.Our eyes met. Coombs's gaze was waxy, but then his mouth twitched into an ugly smile. He tried to say something to me.The EMS woman was backing people off, shouting out his vitals."I have to hear what he's saying," I told the tech. "Giv" me a minute here.""He can't talk," she said. "Give him room to breathe, Lieutenant. He's dying on us!""I have to hear," I said again, then I knelt down close.Coombs's uniform s.h.i.+rt had been cut open, a mosaic of ugly wounds exposed.His mouth quivered. He was still trying to talk. What did he want to tell me?I leaned closer, the blood on Coombs smearing my blouse. I didn't care. I put my ear close."One last...," he whispered. Every breath was a fight for him now. Was this how it ended? With Coombs taking his secrets straight to h.e.l.l?One last...? One last target, one last victim? I stared into his eyes, saw the hatred still there."One last what, Coombs?" I asked"Blood bubbled out of his mouth. He took in a hard breath, husbanding the last of his strength, straining against the power of his own death."One last surprise." He smiled.

Chapter 101.

COOMBS WAS DEAD. It was over, thank G.o.d.I had no idea what Coombs had meant, but I wanted to spit his words back in his face. One last surprise... Whatever it was, Chimera was gone. He couldn't hurt us anymore.I hoped it didn't mean he had left' one last victim before he died."C'mon, Lieutenant," Jacobi muttered. He gently pulled me up.Suddenly, my legs buckled. I felt as if I had no control over the lower part of my body. I saw the look of alarm on Warren's face. "You're hit," he uttered, wide-eyed.I looked down at my side. Jacobi peeled back my jacket, and a wet red gash appeared on my right abdomen. All of a sudden my head began to spin. A current of nausea rose."We need help here," Jacobi shouted to the EMS tech. He and Cappy eased me back to the ground.I found myself staring over at Coombs, as the female tech who had peeled away the dead man's s.h.i.+rt rushed over to me.G.o.d, this was so unreal. They took off my jacket, slapped a blood pressure monitor on my arm. It was as if it were happening to somebody else.My gaze stayed fixed on the killer, the G.o.dd.a.m.n Chimera.Something a little strange, something not tracking. What was it?I pulled myself out of Jacobi's grip. "I have to see something... "He held me back. "You have to stay right here, Lindsay. There's an ambulance on the way."I pulled away from Jacobi. I got up and went over to the body. Coombs's police uniform had been peeled back off of his chest and arms. Raw wounds spotted his chest. But something was missing; something was all wrong. What was it?"Oh, my G.o.d, Warren," I whispered. "Look.""look at what?" Jacobi frowned. What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you?""Warren... there's no tattoo."My mind flashed back. Claire had discovered pigment from the killer's tattoo under Estelle Chipman's fingernails.I put my hands underneath Coombs's shoulders and rolled him slightly. There was nothing on his back. No tattoos anywhere.My mind was whirling. This was unthinkable but Coombs couldn't be Chimera.Then I pa.s.sed out.

Chapter 102.

I OPENED MY EYES in a hospital room, feeling the constraining pull of the IV line stuck in my arm.Claire was standing over me."You are a lucky girl," she said. "I talked to the doctors. Bullet grazed your right abdomen but didn't lodge. What you've basically got is one of the nastiest floor burns floor burns you'll ever see." you'll ever see.""I heard floor burns go well with powder blue, don't they?" I said softly my lips parting in a weak smile.Claire nodded, tapping the taped bandage on her neck. "So I'm told. Anyway, congratulations... You've earned yourself a cozy desk job for the next couple of weeks.""I already have a desk job, Claire," I said. I blinked a confused look around the hospital room, then I pulled myself up into a sitting position. My side ached as if it were on fire."You did good, girl." Claire squeezed my arm. "Coombs is dead, and now safely ensconced in h.e.l.l. There's a mob of people outside who want to talk with you. You're gonna have to get used to the accolades."I closed my eyes, thinking of the misplaced attention about to come my way. Then, through the haze, it hit me. What I had discovered before I blacked out.My fingers gripped Claire's arm. "Frank Coombs didn't have a tattoo."She shook her head and blinked back. "So...?"It hurt to talk, so the words came out in a whisper. "The first murder, Claire. Estelle Chipman... She was killed by a man with a tattoo. You said it.""I could've been wrong.""You're never wrong." I flashed my eyes.She eased back on her stool, her brow creased. "I'm doing the autopsy on Frankie-boy Monday morning. There could be a highly pigmented section of skin, or a discoloration somewhere."I managed a smile. "Autopsy... ? My professional opinion is that he was shot.""Thanks." Claire grinned. "But someone's got to take the bullets out of him and match them up. There'll be an inquiry.""Yeah." I blew out a gust of air and dropped my head back on the pillow. The whole incident, seeing the cop coming up to me, realizing it was Coombs, the flash of his gun, all came back to me as broken fragments.Claire stood up, brushed her suit skirt. "You ought to get some rest. Doctor said they might release you tomorrow. I'll check back in the A.M." She leaned down and gave me a kiss. Then she made her way to the door."Hey, Claire..." She turned back. I wanted to say how much I loved her, how grateful I was to have such a friend. But I just smiled and said, "Keep your eyes peeled for that tattoo." She turned back. I wanted to say how much I loved her, how grateful I was to have such a friend. But I just smiled and said, "Keep your eyes peeled for that tattoo."

Chapter 103.

I SPENT THE REMAINDER of the day trying to rest. Unfortunately, a steady stream of bra.s.s and press paraded through my room. It was credit by a.s.sociation, sound bite time. Everyone wanted to have their picture taken with the wounded hero cop.The mayor stopped by, accoumpanied by his press liaison and Chief Tracchio. They held an impromptu press conference at the hospitial, praising me, citing the great work done by the city's homicide detail, the same unit they had almost pulled off the case.After the commotion finally died down, Cindy and Jill dropped in. Jill brought a single rose in a gla.s.s vase and placed it on my bedside table. "You won't be in here long enough to warrant more." She grinned.Cindy handed me a wrapped videotape. I opened it. Zena, the Warrior Woman. Zena, the Warrior Woman. She winked. "I hear she does her own stunts, too." She winked. "I hear she does her own stunts, too." I pulled myself up and lifted my stiff arms around them in a hug. " I pulled myself up and lifted my stiff arms around them in a hug. "Don't squeeze back," I warned with a smile. squeeze back," I warned with a smile."They giving you any good pills?" Jill asked."Yeah. Percocets. You should try this sometime. Definitely worth the risk." For a moment, we all just sat there without talking. For a moment, we all just sat there without talking."You did it, Lindsay," Cindy said. "You may be f.u.c.king crazy, but no one can say you're not a h.e.l.luva cop." "Thanks." "Thanks." "Don't think this getting-shot thing lets you out of my exclusive. I'll give you some time to recover. How's six?" "Don't think this getting-shot thing lets you out of my exclusive. I'll give you some time to recover. How's six?" "Right." I chuckled. "Bring me back a chicken enchilada from Susie's." "Right." I chuckled. "Bring me back a chicken enchilada from Susie's." "Doctor said we could only come in for a minute," said Jill. "We'll call you later." They both smiled and backed toward the door. "Doctor said we could only come in for a minute," said Jill. "We'll call you later." They both smiled and backed toward the door."You know where to find me, ladies." Around five, Jacobi and Cappy stuck their heads in. Around five, Jacobi and Cappy stuck their heads in."We were wondering where you were," Jacobi muttered, deadpan. "You didn't show up for the afternoon meeting." I grinned, climbed out of bed a little stiffly. "You guys are the heroes. All I did was dive out of the way to save my b.u.t.t." I grinned, climbed out of bed a little stiffly. "You guys are the heroes. All I did was dive out of the way to save my b.u.t.t." "s.h.i.+t." Cappy shrugged. "We just wanted to say that despite the fact the mayor's recommending you for the Medal of Honor, we still love you." "s.h.i.+t." Cappy shrugged. "We just wanted to say that despite the fact the mayor's recommending you for the Medal of Honor, we still love you." I smiled, tugged at my green hospital gown, and slowly lowered myself into a chair. "You guys got a bead on what happened?" I smiled, tugged at my green hospital gown, and slowly lowered myself into a chair. "You guys got a bead on what happened?" "Chimera came at you is what happened," Jacobi said. "He shot, we took him out. End of story." "Chimera came at you is what happened," Jacobi said. "He shot, we took him out. End of story." I tried to remember the sequence of events. "Who got off the shots?" I tried to remember the sequence of events. "Who got off the shots?" "I got four," Jacobi said. "Tom Perez, from Robbery, was next to me. He got off two." "I got four," Jacobi said. "Tom Perez, from Robbery, was next to me. He got off two." I looked at Cappy. I looked at Cappy."Two," he added. "But shots were coming from all around. IAB's taking statements." "Thanks." I smiled gratefully. Then my expression changed. I looked hard at the two of them. "How do you figure this? The same guy who takes out Tasha Catchings and Davidson from a hundred yards like it's a layup only "Thanks." I smiled gratefully. Then my expression changed. I looked hard at the two of them. "How do you figure this? The same guy who takes out Tasha Catchings and Davidson from a hundred yards like it's a layup only grazes grazes me from point-blank range?" me from point-blank range?" Jacobi looked at me a little confused. "Is there something you're trying to tell us, Lindsay?" Jacobi looked at me a little confused. "Is there something you're trying to tell us, Lindsay?" I sighed. "All along, we were looking for a guy with a tattoo, right? The same man who killed Estelle Chipman. Linchpin of the case." I sighed. "All along, we were looking for a guy with a tattoo, right? The same man who killed Estelle Chipman. Linchpin of the case." They nodded blankly. They nodded blankly."There was none on Coombs. Not a mark." Jacobi shot a glance at Cappy, then back at me. "What're you trying to say? That Coombs isn't our man? That we tied him in to each of the murders, found those clippings in his room, that he tried to pop you not once but twice. But that it wasn't him?" Jacobi shot a glance at Cappy, then back at me. "What're you trying to say? That Coombs isn't our man? That we tied him in to each of the murders, found those clippings in his room, that he tried to pop you not once but twice. But that it wasn't him?" My mind wasn't working clearly. The events of the day, the medication. It was chickens.h.i.+t compared to everything that pointed clearly at him. "I guess what I mean is, you ever know Claire Washburn to be wrong?" My mind wasn't working clearly. The events of the day, the medication. It was chickens.h.i.+t compared to everything that pointed clearly at him. "I guess what I mean is, you ever know Claire Washburn to be wrong?" "No." Jacobi shook his head. "But I don't know you to be wrong too often, either. Jeez, I can't believe I said that." "No." Jacobi shook his head. "But I don't know you to be wrong too often, either. Jeez, I can't believe I said that." They told me to get a good night's sleep. They told me to get a good night's sleep."My gut feeling," Jacobi said, turning back on his way out the door, "is that when the medication wears off and you have a chance to look at everything in the light of day, you'll see you made a pretty good bust." I smiled at them. "We all did." I smiled at them. "We all did." That night I couldn't sleep. I lay on my back, my side throbbing, but I was also feeling the blurry warmth of a couple of Percocets. I looked around the dark room, strange, unnatural, and the truth sank in about how lucky I was to be alive. That night I couldn't sleep. I lay on my back, my side throbbing, but I was also feeling the blurry warmth of a couple of Percocets. I looked around the dark room, strange, unnatural, and the truth sank in about how lucky I was to be alive.Jacobi was right; it was was a good bust. Coombs was a murderer. All the facts played out. He had been trying to kill me at the end. a good bust. Coombs was a murderer. All the facts played out. He had been trying to kill me at the end.I shut my eyes and tried to drift off, but the tiniest voice tolled in my head. One voice, sneaking through all that was certain, all that seemed plausible.I tried to force myself to sleep, but the voice got louder.How could he have missed?

Chapter 104.

I WAS RELEASED the following morning.Jill came and got me, pulling her BMW up to the curb outside San Francisco General as they wheeled me out in a chair. The press was there. I waved to all my new pals, but I refused to talk to them. The next stop wsa home, a hug for Martha, a shower, a change of clothes.By the time I walked into room 350 at the Hall with a slightly stiff gait Monday morning, it was as if it were business as usual: The entire detail gave me a round of applause."Game ball belongs to you, Lieutentant," Jacobi said, handing me the brush."C'mon" -I waved them off-"let's wait for the inquiry." "The inquiry? What's that gonna prove?" he said. "Do the honors." "The inquiry? What's that gonna prove?" he said. "Do the honors." "L.T.," said Cappy, his eyes clear and proud, "we've been saving it. For you." "L.T.," said Cappy, his eyes clear and proud, "we've been saving it. For you." "Do it, L.T." "Do it, L.T." Maybe for the first time since Mercer promoted me, I felt like the head of Homicide, and that all the doubts of worth and rank I'd carried with me my whole career were markers on an old journey, miles behind. Maybe for the first time since Mercer promoted me, I felt like the head of Homicide, and that all the doubts of worth and rank I'd carried with me my whole career were markers on an old journey, miles behind.I wented over to the board were our active cases were listed and I brushed Tasha Catchings's name off the board. Art Davidson's, too.I felt filled with a quiet but exultant joy. I felt relief and satisfaction.You can't bring the dead back. You can't even make sense of why things happen. All you can do is the best you can to let the living believe their souls are at peace.The detectives circled around me and watched.I wiped Earl Mercer's name off the slate.

Chapter 105.

I FIELDED PHONE CALLS for the next couple of hours. But mostly I just sat at my desk, giving some thought to my deposition. There was an inquiry pending on the Coombs shooting, standard police practice whenever a police officer fired a gun.The whole incident was still a blur to me. The docters had told me it might be like that for a while. A kind of repressed shock.I had a flash of that out-of-date uniform, and Coombs's eyes burning into me. His arm extended, the orange spurt of his gun. I was sure that someone had shouted my name, probably Cappy or Jacobi, then someone else said, "Gun..." "Gun..." And my own Glock, flopping up in slow motion, knowing I was a beat too late, seeing the spurt of his gun. Then the gunfire - from all directions, And my own Glock, flopping up in slow motion, knowing I was a beat too late, seeing the spurt of his gun. Then the gunfire - from all directions, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop... pop, pop, pop, pop, pop... Finally, I put it out of my mind and went back to work. Finally, I put it out of my mind and went back to work.About an hour later, I was leafing through the file on one of our new outstanding cases when Claire appeared at my door."Hey!" "Hey back at you, Lindsay." "Hey back at you, Lindsay." I knew I knew Claire Claire... I knew her look when she'd found what she expected and had put doubt to rest. And I knew the look when it was not so kosher.This time, she was definitely wearing that not-kosher look."You didn't find any tatto, did you?" I said.She shook her head. Her expression couldn't have been more troubled if she had found something culpable about Edmund, or one of her sons.I motioned her in and shut the door. "Okay, so what did did you fin?" you fin?" She shrugged somberly. "I guess I found out She shrugged somberly. "I guess I found out why Coombs missed. why Coombs missed."

Chapter 106.

CLAIRE SAT DOWN and started to explain. "I was doing a routine histology, in the substantia nigra ..." "In English, Claire," I cut in. "S'il vous plait? Por Favor?" "In English, Claire," I cut in. "S'il vous plait? Por Favor?" She smiled. "I scooped some cells, mid-brain. Coombs was. .h.i.t nine times. Eight from the front. one from the rear. That one smacked into his cervical spine. It's the only reason I would have been in there in the first place. I was looking for a specific cause of death." She smiled. "I scooped some cells, mid-brain. Coombs was. .h.i.t nine times. Eight from the front. one from the rear. That one smacked into his cervical spine. It's the only reason I would have been in there in the first place. I was looking for a specific cause of death." "So what "So what did did you find?" you find?" Her gaze bore right through me. "A marked absence of neurons... live nerve cells." Her gaze bore right through me. "A marked absence of neurons... live nerve cells." I sat upright. My heart was in my throat. "Meaning what, Claire?" I sat upright. My heart was in my throat. "Meaning what, Claire?" "Meaning... Coombs had Parkinson's, Lindsay. And not an unadvanced case." "Meaning... Coombs had Parkinson's, Lindsay. And not an unadvanced case." Parkinson's Parkinson's... My first thought was, That's why he missed. That's why he missed. That I had been so d.a.m.n lucky... That I had been so d.a.m.n lucky...Then, watching the look of blank-eyed nullity grow into alarm on Claire's face, I knew it wasn't so simple."Lindsay, someone with Coombs's stage of Parkinson's could never never have pulled off those shots." have pulled off those shots." My mind went back to the scene at the La Salle Heights Church... Tasha Catchings, felled by that incredible shot... And Art Davidson, a single bullet hole in his head... The bullet had come through the window from an adjoining roof, at least a hundred yards away. My mind went back to the scene at the La Salle Heights Church... Tasha Catchings, felled by that incredible shot... And Art Davidson, a single bullet hole in his head... The bullet had come through the window from an adjoining roof, at least a hundred yards away.I fixed on Claire's eyes. "You're sure about this?" She nodded slowly. "I'm not a neurologist..." But then with unwavering clairty, "Yes, I'm sure. I'm absolutely positive. His state of Parkinson's could never have allowed the necessary interaction between hand and brain for those shots. His case was too progressed." She nodded slowly. "I'm not a neurologist..." But then with unwavering clairty, "Yes, I'm sure. I'm absolutely positive. His state of Parkinson's could never have allowed the necessary interaction between hand and brain for those shots. His case was too progressed." With an almost nauseating chill, I flashed through all the things we knew about our killer. We had been certain that Chimera had a tattoo. But Coombs didn't have one. Then he barely grazed me on the steps of the Hall from point-blank range. And now this, With an almost nauseating chill, I flashed through all the things we knew about our killer. We had been certain that Chimera had a tattoo. But Coombs didn't have one. Then he barely grazed me on the steps of the Hall from point-blank range. And now this, Parkinson's Parkinson's... Whoever Chimera was, he was certifiable as a marksman. That much was irrefutable.We looked at each other and I uttered the unutterable. "Jesus, Claire, Coombs isn't our man." "Right," she said. "So, who is, Lieutenant?" "Right," she said. "So, who is, Lieutenant?"

Chapter 107.

FOR A LONG TIME, we just sat there, letting the stunning realization, and panic, sink in.The newspapers, the TV, every sane person in the entire city was celebrating Chimera's death. Just that morning, I had wiped the murder cases off the board."Coombs was trying to tell me something," I said to Claire, recalling his dying moments. "'One last...,' he whispered, and when I asked him, one last what? one last what? he seemed to smile. 'One last surprise.' He he seemed to smile. 'One last surprise.' He knew knew Chimera was still out there, Claire. He knew we would find out. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d was laughing at me as he drew his last breath. It has to be somebody else in his group. There's another madman." Chimera was still out there, Claire. He knew we would find out. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d was laughing at me as he drew his last breath. It has to be somebody else in his group. There's another madman." Claire pressed her lips together. "Lindsay, if I could've come back with any other conclusion..." Claire pressed her lips together. "Lindsay, if I could've come back with any other conclusion..." I didn't know exactly what to do with this new information. The pattern had fit so seamlessly. Bay View... Chimera. The file in Coombs's room. And how he had come at me. I couldn't believe that somehow I had been wrong. And then the question again: I didn't know exactly what to do with this new information. The pattern had fit so seamlessly. Bay View... Chimera. The file in Coombs's room. And how he had come at me. I couldn't believe that somehow I had been wrong. And then the question again: If not Coombs, who? If not Coombs, who?The last thing I wanted to do was go upstairs and shatter the celebration of all the bureaucrats and bra.s.s. But at the same moment Claire and I were gaping at each other in disbelief, the real killer was out there, possibly scoping another hit. Jesus, this just didn't make sense. this just didn't make sense."Come with me," I said, sucking in the sharp pain in my side. I ambled down the hall to Charlie Clapper's office."The returning hero." The rotund CSU man stood up and smiled. "A little bent over at the waist, but otherwise you look okay." "Charlie," I said, "how long until we have a match on the gun?" "Charlie," I said, "how long until we have a match on the gun?" "Gun...?" He screwed his brow. "Gun...?" He screwed his brow."Coombs's gun. How long until we can match it up against the piece that killed Mercer?" "It's a little late, gorgeous, if you're trying to narrow down your suspects. I'd start with the dude on Claire's slab." "It's a little late, gorgeous, if you're trying to narrow down your suspects. I'd start with the dude on Claire's slab." "When, Charlie?" I shot back. "How long 'til you get a match?" "When, Charlie?" I shot back. "How long 'til you get a match?" "Maybe Wednesday." He shrugged. "We've got to scan the inside of the gun, get a reading on the-" "Maybe Wednesday." He shrugged. "We've got to scan the inside of the gun, get a reading on the-" " "Tomorrow, Charlie," I said. "I need need it by tomorrow." it by tomorrow." "Lindsay," he said, looking a little confused, "what the h.e.l.l is going on?" "Lindsay," he said, looking a little confused, "what the h.e.l.l is going on?" I turned to Claire, a swallow of bile making an unpleasant retreat into my chest. "We have to bring this upstairs." I turned to Claire, a swallow of bile making an unpleasant retreat into my chest. "We have to bring this upstairs." We grabbed an elevator up to the fifth floor. I was so dumbfounded and racked with emotions, I hardly felt the pain shooting through my side. We barged into Acting Chief Tracchio's office. He was scribbling at his desk. We grabbed an elevator up to the fifth floor. I was so dumbfounded and racked with emotions, I hardly felt the pain shooting through my side. We barged into Acting Chief Tracchio's office. He was scribbling at his desk."What are you doing here? here?" he exclaimed. "You should be home. Good G.o.d, Lieutenant, if anyone has a well-earned leave coming to them..." I stopped him in midsentence. Then I told him what Claire had found. Suddenly, Tracchio looked as if he had swallowed a mouthful of bad oysters. I stopped him in midsentence. Then I told him what Claire had found. Suddenly, Tracchio looked as if he had swallowed a mouthful of bad oysters."I don't buy this, Lieutenant," he said. "You solved the case. It's over." "You may not buy it," Claire said firmly, "but I've never been so sure of anything in my professional life. There is "You may not buy it," Claire said firmly, "but I've never been so sure of anything in my professional life. There is no way no way Coombs could've pulled off those shots." Coombs could've pulled off those shots." "But this is all speculation," Tracchio objected. "The links to the Sikes killing... Coombs's Chimera background... his qualifications with weapons. These are all facts. "But this is all speculation," Tracchio objected. "The links to the Sikes killing... Coombs's Chimera background... his qualifications with weapons. These are all facts. Your Your facts, Lieutenant." He wagged his finger at me, stabbing me point by point with my own a.n.a.lysis. "No one else could possibly fit that profile. I can't argue with your conclusions, Dr. Washburn, but eliminating Coombs..." facts, Lieutenant." He wagged his finger at me, stabbing me point by point with my own a.n.a.lysis. "No one else could possibly fit that profile. I can't argue with your conclusions, Dr. Washburn, but eliminating Coombs..." "We can test his DNA against the sample of skin we found under Estelle Chipman's nails," Claire replied, "which is what I'm going to do. But I'll bet my reputation against your, they "We can test his DNA against the sample of skin we found under Estelle Chipman's nails," Claire replied, "which is what I'm going to do. But I'll bet my reputation against your, they don't don't match." match." "In the meantime, we have to reopen the case," I said. "In the meantime, we have to reopen the case," I said."Reopen the case?" Tracchio gasped. "I'm not going to give any such order." "If Chimera's still out there," I pressed, "he could be planning another hit right now. I suspect that he is." "If Chimera's still out there," I pressed, "he could be planning another hit right now. I suspect that he is." "Only yesterday," Tracchio blurted, "you were one hundred precent sure Coombs was Chimera." "Only yesterday," Tracchio blurted, "you were one hundred precent sure Coombs was Chimera." "That was yesterday," I said. "We told you why it's changed. Right now I'm about one hundred precent sure Coombs "That was yesterday," I said. "We told you why it's changed. Right now I'm about one hundred precent sure Coombs isn't isn't Chimera." Chimera." "What you've told me is medical speculation. I want solid proof. Get me the DNA check." "What you've told me is medical speculation. I want solid proof. Get me the DNA check." "That could take days," Claire said. "A week..." "That could take days," Claire said. "A week..." "Then match the ballistics," Tracchio ordered. "Chief Mercer was killed with a thirty-eight. I'll guarantee you Clapper will show it was the same gun." "Then match the ballistics," Tracchio ordered. "Chief Mercer was killed with a thirty-eight. I'll guarantee you Clapper will show it was the same gun." "I'm on it. But in the meantime..." "I'm on it. But in the meantime..." "There is no "There is no meantime meantime, Lieutenant. As far as I'm concerned, you did one h.e.l.l of a job. Put your own life on the line. What you should be on now is medical leave, not trying to start another investigation." Claire and I looked at each other. Claire and I looked at each other.Then Tracchio picked up a few papers, the way figures of authority learn to do to communicate that a meeting is over. f.u.c.k him. f.u.c.k him.Back in the hallway, I looked at Claire. "I'm about to bring the whole city down on us. You better be d.a.m.n sure." "Course, I'm sure," she replied. "What are you going to do?" "Course, I'm sure," she replied. "What are you going to do?" "I'm going to wait for ballistics, Claire. And pray that nothing happens in between. I'm also putting everybody back on the investigation." "I'm going to wait for ballistics, Claire. And pray that nothing happens in between. I'm also putting everybody back on the investigation."

Chapter 108.

"CINDY THOMAS, is that you?" Aaron Winslow almost couldn't believe what his eyes were telling him. When Cindy opened the door to her apartment, she was wearing a tailored black pantsuit, sling-back heels, a solitaire diamond necklace. Directly behind her, he could see her dining room ... lit candles, china, silver flatware, and crystal. Aaron Winslow almost couldn't believe what his eyes were telling him. When Cindy opened the door to her apartment, she was wearing a tailored black pantsuit, sling-back heels, a solitaire diamond necklace. Directly behind her, he could see her dining room ... lit candles, china, silver flatware, and crystal.Cindy stepped forward and gave Aaron a kiss. Then she pulled away. G.o.d, she did look stunning. She was absolutely radiant tonight."All right, I have a confession to make," she said. "The Armani suit belongs to my friend Jill, the lawyer. So do the Ferragamo shoes. If I spill anything on the Armani, or as much as scuff the shoes, she'll never talk to me again." Cindy smiled and took Aaron's hand. Cindy smiled and took Aaron's hand."Come in. Don't be too afraid. Even though I am. Tonight we celebrate the end of a horrible siege and a terrible man." Aaron had started to laugh. "You certainly look beautiful for the celebration." Aaron had started to laugh. "You certainly look beautiful for the celebration." Cindy continued to beam. "Yes, and I prepared almond-crusted chicken, a romaine salad, orzo pasta with peas and mint. Unfortunately, the chicken happens to be one of the only three dinners I know how to make." Cindy continued to beam. "Yes, and I prepared almond-crusted chicken, a romaine salad, orzo pasta with peas and mint. Unfortunately, the chicken happens to be one of the only three dinners I know how to make." "Your honesty is refres.h.i.+ng," Aaron said. "Who belongs to the china and crystal?" "Your honesty is refres.h.i.+ng," Aaron said. "Who belongs to the china and crystal?" Cindy laughed out loud as she led him into the dining room. Jeez, she felt a little like Bridget Jones. Cindy laughed out loud as she led him into the dining room. Jeez, she felt a little like Bridget Jones."Believe it or not, the china and crystal is all mine. My mother has been giving me prewedding gifts since I was eighteen. I thought Wedgwood and Waterford would be perfect for our special night. The grub is read. Let's do it." "May I help you serve the feast?" Aaron asked. "May I help you serve the feast?" Aaron asked."That would be just perfect. Like everything else tonight." Everything was, actually, and a few minutes later they were seated at the dining table with the delicious-looking food in front of them. Everything was, actually, and a few minutes later they were seated at the dining table with the delicious-looking food in front of them.Cindy tapped her winegla.s.s. "I want to make a toast," she said.Just then, Aaron saw a reflection moving in the mirror over the sideboard behind Cindy. His heart fell. not again; not here."Cindy, no!" he screamed. Suddenly he was out of his chair and he dove headfirst across the dining table. He only hoped he was in time.He took Cindy and most of her china and crystal down. Everything hit the floor with a crash just as the first shot shattered the dining room window. Several more shots followed in quick succession. Trailer fire. Chimera was here. He was coming from them now. Cindy had the presence of mind to grad the cord and pull the phone off the console in the hallway. She pressed the number four on her quick dial, then speaker, and she heard Lindsay's voice."He's here at my apartment. He's shooting at Aaron and me!" she screamed over the phone. "Chimera is here and he's still shooting!"

Chapter 109.

THIS COULDN'T BE HAPPENING, but it was.I called for all available units, then I rushed to Cindy's apartment. I got there as fast as humanly possible. Maybe a little faster. I saw Cindy and Aaron standing on the front porch. Half a dozen patrol cars were parked all around the house. But they were still targets, weren't they?My hands were clutched tightly as I ran to her. I hugged Cindy, and she was still trembling badly. I'd never seen her look so vulnerable, so afraid and lost."Thank G.o.d a patrol car was here in minutes, Lindsay. It either scared him off or he was gone already." "Are you all right?" I turned my attention to Aaron. He and Cindy both had stains all over their clothes. It looked as if they'd had a food fight. What the h.e.l.l had happened here? "Are you all right?" I turned my attention to Aaron. He and Cindy both had stains all over their clothes. It looked as if they'd had a food fight. What the h.e.l.l had happened here?"Aaron saved me," Cindy said in a whisper. He just shook his head and held Cindy's hand. There was a tenderness between them that touched me a great deal."He's losing it," I muttered, more to myself than to either of them. Whoever Chimera was, he was in a rage. Obviously, he wanted to hurt me, or anyone I was close to. Or maybe he was offened by the idea of Aaron Winslow and Cindy. That could be part of it. He wasn't planning his. .h.i.ts as carefully now; he was reckless and rattled, but still very dangerous.And he was out there somewhere. maybe even watching us right now."C'mon, let's go back inside," I said."Why, Lindsay?" asked Cindy. "That's where he shot at us. Who the h.e.l.l is this guy? What does he want?" "I don't know, Cindy. Please go inside, sweetie." "I don't know, Cindy. Please go inside, sweetie." Inspectors were already checking where the shots had come from. CSU was after the caliber of the weapon. But I knew. And I knew that it was him: Inspectors were already checking where the shots had come from. CSU was after the caliber of the weapon. But I knew. And I knew that it was him: Chimera. Chimera.I'm still here, he was telling us. Telling me. he was telling us. Telling me.Warren Jacobi's blue Ford pulled up, and I watched him get out and hurry over to me. "The two of them okay?" "Yeah. They're inside now. Jesus, Warren. This has something to do with me. It has to." "Yeah. They're inside now. Jesus, Warren. This has something to do with me. It has to." I rested my head on his shoulder for a second. Tears welled in my eyes, and I felt them come. They ran down my cheeks, hot and stinging. I rested my head on his shoulder for a second. Tears welled in my eyes, and I felt them come. They ran down my cheeks, hot and stinging."I'm gonna kill this guy," I whispered.Jacobi held me even tighter. Good old Warren.We were back at zero. I had no idea who it was. I didn't know where we would start to look for him.A black Lincoln Town Car wound its way along the barricaded street and swooshed up to the curb. The door opened, and a grim-faced Chief Tracchio stepped out, surveying the shooting scene.He caught my eye with a guilty swallow, the flas.h.i.+ng lights of the crime scene reflected on his gla.s.ses.I glared at him. Proof enough? Proof enough?

Chapter 110.

THE NEXT MORNING, half of Homicide banged our heads together in the conference room, reexamining every piece of evidence, every a.s.sumption we had made. As the meeting was ending, I took Jacobi aside. "One other thing, Warren. I want you to look at something for me. Make certain that Tom Keating really is in a wheelchair. really is in a wheelchair." By one o'clock, I had to take a break. I needed thinking outside the box. We weren't seeing something. By one o'clock, I had to take a break. I needed thinking outside the box. We weren't seeing something.I had to talk to the girls, so I called them together for a quick lunch at the Rialto, across the street from the Hall. Even Cindy said she was coming. She insisted on it.When she arrived at the Rialto everybody hugged her, and tears came into our eyes. None of us could believe Chimera had gone after Cindy and Aaron - but he certainly had."This is crazy," I said as we huddled around a table, nibbling at salads and calzones. "Everything matched. Coombs's past, Chimera, the incident in Bay View. Everything pointed there. We can't can't be wrong." be wrong." "What you need to do first," Claire cautioned, "is take the pressure off yourself. It's horrible, what's happened. But we can't get too emotional." "What you need to do first," Claire cautioned, "is take the pressure off yourself. It's horrible, what's happened. But we can't get too emotional." "I know that." I exhaled. "It's probably what the killer wants. Jesus." "I know that." I exhaled. "It's probably what the killer wants. Jesus." Jill shuffled in her seat. "Listen, Coombs has to be at the center of this. Too many things check out. He may not have pulled the trigger, but what if he got someone else to? What about those a.s.shole buddies of his in South San Francisco?" Jill shuffled in her seat. "Listen, Coombs has to be at the center of this. Too many things check out. He may not have pulled the trigger, but what if he got someone else to? What about those a.s.shole buddies of his in South San Francisco?" "Two are still missing," I said, "but my gut tells me no. Oh h.e.l.l, I don't know anymore. Everybody in Homicide is stumped. Coombs was one madman. Who the h.e.l.l is the other one?" "Two are still missing," I said, "but my gut tells me no. Oh h.e.l.l, I don't know anymore. Everybody in Homicide is stumped. Coombs was one madman. Who the h.e.l.l is the other one?" "You checked everything you found in his hotel room?" Cindy asked. She had been unusually quiet until then. "You checked everything you found in his hotel room?" Cindy asked. She had been unusually quiet until then."Checked, double-checked," I replied.For what seemed like the tenth time, my mind went to the tiny, disheveled hotel room - the suitcase full of Coombs's prison things, the clippings stashed under his mattress, the numbers on the desk, his letters...Except this time, something hit...Cindy was asking if we had ever considered the possibility that someone was trying to set Coombs up, but I didn't respond. My mind was elsewhere... rooted back in that dingy hotel room. The line of beer cans and cigarette b.u.t.ts on the still above the bed. Something else there. Something else there. I had never given it a second thought. I squinted into s.p.a.ce, trying to visualize the sight. Then I saw what I was looking for - and what I might have missed. I had never given it a second thought. I squinted into s.p.a.ce, trying to visualize the sight. Then I saw what I was looking for - and what I might have missed."Lindsay?" Claire c.o.c.ked her head. "Everything all right?" "Earth to Lindsay...," Jill taunted. "Earth to Lindsay...," Jill taunted.Cindy put her hand on the my wrist. "Lindsay, what's going on?" I grabbed my bag and stood up. "We've got to get back to the Hall. I think I justed figured something out." I grabbed my bag and stood up. "We've got to get back to the Hall. I think I justed figured something out."

Chapter 111.

EVIDENCE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY is kept under lock and key in a storage room in the bas.e.m.e.nt of the Hall.Fred Karl, the day duty office, looked a little annoyed at the four of us. "This isn't a social room," he grumbled, pus.h.i.+ng a clipboard in my direction and pressing a b.u.t.ton that opened the chain-link gate. "You and Ms. Bernhardt can sign and go in. These other two, they'll have to wait out here." "Arrest us, Fred," I said, waving everyone through. "Arrest us, Fred," I said, waving everyone through.The contents of Coombs's hotel room had been placed in large storage bins near the back. I led the girls to the spot and hung my jacket on a ledge as I pulled a couple of bins down from the shelf coded with Coombs's case number. I started rummaging through the contents."Would you mind telling me just what the h.e.l.l we're looking for?" Jill asked, seeming annoyed. "What the h.e.l.l didn't I see?" "You saw it perfectly," I said as I pawed through Frank Coombs's effects. "So did I. But neither of us put it together at the time. Look at this." "You saw it perfectly," I said as I pawed through Frank Coombs's effects. "So did I. But neither of us put it together at the time. Look at this." As if it were a silver chalice, I picked up the polished bra.s.s trophy of a p.r.o.ne sharpshooter aiming a rifle. As if it were a silver chalice, I picked up the polished bra.s.s trophy of a p.r.o.ne sharpshooter aiming a rifle. 50 Meter Straight Target Champion, 50 Meter Straight Target Champion, the inscription plate read. That was what I remembered from the first time I saw the trophy. the inscription plate read. That was what I remembered from the first time I saw the trophy.But the name above it changed everything.Frank L. Coombs... not Frank C. not Frank C. Francis Lauurence, not Francis Charles. Francis Lauurence, not Francis Charles.Rusty Coombs ... The trophy had been awarded to Coombs's son. ... The trophy had been awarded to Coombs's son.All of a sudden, every a.s.sumption and insight changed for me. Maybe because of all the paperwork I had looked at recently, Coombs Sr.'s full name had sunk into my consciousness.Frank C. was the father, was the father, Frank L. Frank L. the son. the son."I'm not my father," I remembered Rusty Coombs saying. I could see his face now, the convincing act he'd put on for Jacobi and me."It's the son," I whispered.Jill sat back on the floor, stunned. "You're telling me, Lindsay, these horrifying murders were committed by Coombs's son? The boy at Stanford?" Cindy blurted, "I thought he hated his father. I thought they hadn't been touch." Cindy blurted, "I thought he hated his father. I thought they hadn't been touch." "So did I," I said. "He fooled everyone, didn't he?" "So did I," I said. "He fooled everyone, didn't he?" We stood there, seeking one another's eyes in the dim bas.e.m.e.nt room. Did the new theory work? Did it stand up to scrutiny? My mind flashed again - We stood there, seeking one another's eyes in the dim bas.e.m.e.nt room. Did the new theory work? Did it stand up to scrutiny? My mind flashed again - the white van. the white van. The get-away car from Tasha Catchings's murder ... It had been stolen from Mountain View. Palo Alto and Mountain View were only a few minutes apart. The get-away car from Tasha Catchings's murder ... It had been stolen from Mountain View. Palo Alto and Mountain View were only a few minutes apart."The owner of the white van," I said, "taught anthropology at a community college down there. He said he took on students from other schools. Sometimes, some of the jocks ..." All of a sudden, things were fitting into place. "Maybe one of them was Rusty Coombs?" All of a sudden, things were fitting into place. "Maybe one of them was Rusty Coombs?"

Chapter 112.

I HURRIED BACK UPSTAIRS. The first thing I did was place a call to Professor Stasic at Mountain View Junior College. I was only able to get his voice mail. I left an urgent message for him to call me.I punched the name Francis L. Coombs into the CCI databank copmuter. The father's old conviction came up, but nothing on the son. No criminal record.I felt that if the kid was cold enough to do these terrible crimes, he had to be in the system somewhere. I typed his name in the juvie databank. The records were sealed, unable to be used in court, but we had access. After a few seconds, a file shot back. A long one A long one ... I blinked at the screen. ... I blinked at the screen.Rusty Coombs had had run-ins with the law at least seven times from the time he was thirteen.In 1992, he'd been brought before a juvie court for shooting a neighbor's dog with a pellet gun.A year later, he'd been indicted for criminal mischief for killing a goose in a corporate park.At age fifteen, he and a friend had been charged with desecrating a public place for spray painting a synagogue with anti-Semitic slogans.He had been charged, but not convicted, with throwing beer bottles through a neighbor's window. The complainant was black. He was alleged to be part of a high school gang, the Kott Street Boys, know for race-based attacks on blacks, Latinos, and Asians. He was alleged to be part of a high school gang, the Kott Street Boys, know for race-based attacks on blacks, Latinos, and Asians.One after another, I read on, stunned. Finally, I called Jacobi into my office. I laid the whole thing out for him. Rusty Coombs's violent past. His name on the marksmans.h.i.+p trophy. The stolen van in Mountain View, not that far from Palo Alto."Obviously, they've seriously relaxed the admission requirements at Stanford since I applied." Jacobi snorted."No jokes, Warren. Please. So what do you think? I'm losing it, right? Am I crazy?" "Not so crazy we shouldn't pay the kid another visit," he said. "Not so crazy we shouldn't pay the kid another visit," he said.There were other things we could do to be sure. We could wait and see if Coombs Sr.'s DNA matched what was found under Estelle Chipman's nails. But that took time. The more I thought about it, the more Rusty Coombs made sense.My brain was buzzing now. A tremor of recognition reverberated through me. "Oh my G.o.d, Warren ... the white chalk ... the white chalk ..." Jacobi leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. "What about it?" Jacobi leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. "What about it?" "The white powder Clapper found at the two of the scenes." "The white powder Clapper found at the two of the scenes." I recalled an image of Rusty Coombs, his freckled face and wide lineman's shoulders in a sweaty Cardinals T-s.h.i.+rt. The epitome of a superior kid who'd turned his life around, right? I recalled an image of Rusty Coombs, his freckled face and wide lineman's shoulders in a sweaty Cardinals T-s.h.i.+rt. The epitome of a superior kid who'd turned his life around, right?"Remember when we met hiim?" "Sure, the gym at Stanford." "Sure, the gym at Stanford." "He was lifting weights. What do weight lifters use, Warren, to hold on to the bar so it doesn't slip?" I stood up. My mind settled on the vivid image of Rusty Coombs rubbing his thick, white hands together. "He was lifting weights. What do weight lifters use, Warren, to hold on to the bar so it doesn't slip?" I stood up. My mind settled on the vivid image of Rusty Coombs rubbing his thick, white hands together."They use chalk," Jacobi muttered.

Chapter 113.

JOGGING BACK from afternoon practice, Rusty Coombs took the four-mile loop from the field house around South Campus. He decided to make the last two hundred meters an all-out sprint.A police car wailed past him. Then another speeding cruiser.At first, the sight of the cruiser