Page 7 of 25 Alive

I opened my phone’s picture library, found the photos of Jacobi’s dead body, and handed the phone over to Brady, saying, “See here. He was stabbed multiple times. And this slash across his neck …”

“His carotid,” said Brady. He gave a deep sigh. “That … That took him out fast.”

Brady swore as he scrolled through the horrific images and then he had questions. Did I know any Jacobi haters? Why was Jacobi wearing a bird-watcher’s outfit? Did I have any ideas that could shed light on the motive for his murder?

I answered, “I don’t know.” “I have no idea.” “I don’t frickin’ know.”

Brady said, “So, Boxer. We have nothing to go on.”

“We have one measly clue. Maybe. CSIs found a matchbook nearby from a bar called Julio’s. It’s a hole-in-the-wall on Valencia Street. I’ve never been inside.”

I took back my phone and showed Brady pictures of the matchbook and read aloud the “I said. You dead” inscription inside.

“If that’s from the killer, he’s a narcissistic psycho,” Brady said.

I could only nod. “The matchbook is at the lab. I’ll have Alvarez and Conklin check out Julio’s as soon as the bar opens.”

My phone pinged with a text. I glanced at the message and typed,BRB. Then I said to Brady, “Claire’s doing Jacobi’s postmortem now. She told me you said this case is mine. Right?”

I was prepared for a flat no, Brady changing his mind and deciding that I was too close to the victim.

But he surprised me, saying, “You and Conklin take the lead on Jacobi. I’ll put Cappy and Chi on this, too. They’ll report to you, Boxer. Grab up a task force and I’ll head it.”

I needed no convincing. I returned the side chair to its upright position and was preparing to leave Brady’s office when his phone rang.

He picked up and held up a finger to me, meaningWait.He said into the phone, “Say again, Gene.”

As he asked his caller for details, I worked out who Brady was talking with. It had to be Crime Scene Unit director Eugene Hallows. While I wondered what was being said, Brady grabbed his yellow pad and a pencil and quickly wrote down what looked like an address.

He said, “I’ve got it, Gene.” Then he pounded the receiver down on the console hook and said to me, “That was Hallows. He says there’s another dead body near the park.”

“No! Where? Who?”

“A woman was killed in her apartment, a couple blocks from the park. Hallows is on his way over there. Get that task force together, Boxer. I want to brief Clapper before the close of day.”

CHAPTER10

CINDY PRESSED HER desk phone hard to her ear and waited impatiently as it rang and rang. Where was Richie? Why wasn’t he picking up? Did he know about Jacobi?

Finally, her husband answered, “Conklin.”

“Hey,” she said. “It’s me. I just read—”

“Cin, I’m working. Can I call you later?”

“This is important. And it’ll just take a second.”

“I’m timing you.”

“Okay, so a New York tabloid, theCity News Flash,carried an anonymous letter about a murder in Golden Gate Park. Said the victim is Warren Jacobi. Our Jacobi. The story was posted online this morning.”

Cindy hoped that Richie would either deny the so-called news of Jacobi’s death or say,I’ll get back to you.She heard unintelligible muffled voices in the background over Rich’s phone. Wherever he was, he wasn’t alone.

“Rich? Did you hear me?” she pressed. She had a feeling Rich was going to be a dead end. That’s how cops, even thosemarried to crime reporters, behaved. Admittedly a good thing, even if not good for her.

“I’m going to have to make some sketchy promises,” Cindy muttered to herself.

“Cin, put your mouth next to the little holes.”

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