The Dark Hours (Harry Bosch #23)(77)

“Well, as you probably know, Harry is retired LAPD,” she began. “I have had cases in the past that involved some of his old investigations, and so I have known him for four or five years and he’s sort of taken on a mentor’s role with me. But specifically in this case, I told you that I linked the Raffa murder to another case through ballistics. That case — the victim’s name was Albert Lee — was investigated by Harry Bosch nine years ago. When I made that connection, I reached out to Bosch to pick his brain about the case and get any sort of angle on this thing that I could.”

“And did you?”

“Yes, it was information from Bosch that allowed me to further find out who benefits. In the Albert Lee case, his business and insurance policy went to a dentist who had loaned him the money to keep his business afloat. That dentist was partners with Hoyle in another business. Bosch helped me make those connections. Bonner became the suspected killer in both cases. But I believe he was sent after these victims, the same way he was sent after me.”

“By the dentists.”

“Roger that.”

Ballard immediately shook her head. She had to stop that.

“So, when we speak to Bosch, he will tell the same story?” Sanderson asked.

“If he speaks to you,” Ballard said. “He did not leave the department on good terms. So good luck with that.”

“And there is nothing romantic there between you and Bosch?”

“If I was a man and I had reached out to a retired detective with a connection to my case, would you ask me if there was a romance between us?”

“I take that as a no.”

“You can take it however you want, but I am not answering questions like that. But I am glad this is recorded.”

Sanderson tried to stare Ballard down but she didn’t blink.

“Now can I ask you something?” Ballard said.

“You can always ask,” Sanderson said. “I can’t promise I will answer.”

“Have you found Bonner’s car?”

“Why would you ask that?”

“Because I assume that if he drove, he parked in my neighborhood, and since he had nothing in his pockets but lockpicks, I assume there will be a phone, wallet, maybe notes and other things, in his car. Maybe the gun that killed my two victims. If I were you, I’d be looking for his car right now.”

“I can assure you that the investigation is continuing outside this room, Detective. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Good. What about the media? Are they onto this yet?”

“Detective, in this room, I am asking the questions. You have another repeat caller to your cell that I would like to ask you about. Garrett Single, the paramedic you told us coached you through the field tracheotomy. He has called you more times than Bosch. Why is that?”

“Well, I won’t really know until I can talk to him and find out, but my guess is that he wants to know if I’m all right.”

“He cares about you.”

“I think he does.”

Ballard braced for the romance question but Sanderson surprised her.

“Thank you, Detective,” he said. “And for now I think we have enough information from you. We are placing you on desk duty until we complete our investigation. In the meantime, I am ordering you not to contact or talk to the media about this incident. If you are contacted by a person in the media, you are to refer them to — ”

“Wait a minute,” Ballard said. “Who’s going to work the case? We’re not going to drop it while you and your people decide whether I did anything wrong.”

“My understanding is that the case has already been transferred to West Bureau Homicide. They will take it from here. By your own testimony, we are talking about a suicide. I’m sure they will close it quickly and you will be back to work.”

“I’m not talking about Bonner killing himself. I’m talking about the Javier Raffa case and the Albert Lee case.”

“Again, West Bureau will handle it.”

What was in play here only then hit Ballard. Christopher Bonner was ex-LAPD and that was an image problem. Not only was it a huge issue that an ex-LAPD officer was likely a hit man before and after he left the job, but whether he still had connections in the department was unknown. Thanks to Sanderson’s questions, Ballard already had one idea about the ties Bonner still had. Add to that the missing murder books, and this was a high-octane scandal waiting to explode in the media. It was best to keep everything compartmentalized. And tying together the murders of Albert Lee and Javier Raffa and solving them would only work against the department.

“I know what you’re going to do,” Ballard blurted out.

“Really?” Sanderson said. “What am I going to do, Detective?”

“You’re going to sand and sweep. Like you always do. This department is so fucked up. It’s like we don’t even care about victims anymore. It’s protect and serve the image instead of the citizens.”

“Are you finished, Detective?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m finished. Where’s my phone? Where’s my gun? I want them back.”

Sanderson turned to look at Hammel, who had returned and was standing with his back to the door.

“Her lieutenant has her phone,” the sidekick said.