A Killing in China Basin - Kirk Russell [62]
So now it was a chase and a hunt, a reality-based action show where more might get killed and the stakes and the ratings were driven higher. Who doesn’t love a good task-force sized hunt? Talk about turning the tables on a stalker, the media would compete to join the hunt, and you know what, Raveneau was OK with that. They needed the media’s help.
He saw some familiar faces among the reporters, but ignored their calls on the way to his car. But as he drove away he did take a call from a reporter he knew and answered the questions as honestly as he could.
‘Is there any true evidence that points toward Cody Stoltz?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Then why hasn’t he come in with a lawyer and challenged this?’
‘You’ll have to ask him.’
‘OK, all right, but you’re looking for him.’
‘Yeah, we are.’
‘And he’s trying not to get found?’
Raveneau didn’t see any need to answer that one. His mind drifted back to la Rosa, how close a call it was.
‘Was Inspector la Rosa able to give a clear description?’
‘No.’
‘Will she recover more memory, more of a description?’
‘Maybe, but I doubt it. The assailant had a mask on and it happened fast.’
‘Does that mean that, other than it was a Volvo he was driving, you have little to go on?’
‘Right now, that’s accurate.’
‘OK, one last question, if you were Stoltz and you hadn’t killed anybody and didn’t plan to, what would you do now?’
‘I’d call a lawyer and have him arrange a surrender.’
‘Does that mean you’d arrest and charge him?’
‘I can’t answer that.’
‘Perfect. Thanks, Ben, talk to you later.’
FORTY-TWO
San Francisco homicide inspectors are expected to clock in, work an eight hour day, and get approval for any overtime. If approved, you filled out one of the little salmon-pink cards, but Raveneau often ignored that. He worked whatever it took.
He was standing at the windows drinking coffee and watching the dawn when he heard the office door open. A few minutes later Lieutenant Becker walked back.
‘I’m not in today,’ Becker said, voice flat, eyes bloodshot as Raveneau turned and looked at him. ‘I was at the hospital all night. My brother isn’t doing well.’
Raveneau put an arm around Becker’s shoulders, knowing there was little he could say. He washed two mugs and brought Becker coffee. Then they stood at the windows as the sky turned pink with sunrise.
‘My brother’s daughter, my niece, Jolie, just turned seventeen. She and her dad are close but she’s a troubled kid, problems with drugs, a new tattoo or piercing every three weeks, and a knack for hanging out with all the wrong people. In any group she’ll figure out the one who’s going to get arrested and gravitate toward them unconsciously. But underneath it, she’s a good kid. It’s looking like they’re going to charge her former boyfriend and I don’t know how Jolie’s going to handle it. I don’t know what to do.’
‘Where’s her mom?’
‘In Minnesota with two young kids and a new family. She remarried after the divorce. She knows Alan was shot but we haven’t heard a word from her about Jolie.’
‘Can she live with you?’
‘My wife doesn’t like her and we don’t really have enough room but she’s going to have to move in with us, at least for the moment. Right now, she’s staying with her best friend. I’ve got to keep her in high school. That’s job one right now. Somehow I’ve got to keep her on track, but all I can think about is her ex-boyfriend.’
‘Is there new evidence?’
‘They’re waiting for DNA results.’
‘When are those?’
‘Today. There was blood at the scene that wasn’t Alan’s. The ex-boyfriend had a cut on his right forearm he claims happened when he fell off his bike. He also told the investigators he hasn’t been at the house in months. If they get a match today they’ll charge him.’
Becker gripped the coffee cup with both hands. He hadn’t touched any of it. His eyes were bloodshot