I took a breath and went back to my car. The first death threat had come even before Bastilla and Crimmens came to my office and hours before Marx went on the news. Since my involvement with Lionel Byrd hadn't been mentioned in the news or by the press, I had a pretty good idea how these guys learned my name.

The police told you I worked for Byrd?

Dennis said, They could've put him in prison, but you and some ass-licking shyster got him off.

Who told you that, Crimmens?

Michael said, Was that you or wasn't it? I'd like to kick that lawyer's ass, too.

Levy.

Pike tucked the gun under his sweatshirt.

What do you want to do?

I went to Gordon, then Dennis. Gordon's eye was swelling. Dennis had trouble moving his arm.

Dennis said, Get away from me, bitch.

I looked back at Michael.

Gordon won't need stitches, but he should get some ice. Dennis needs a doctor.

Michael said, Fuck you. No one gives a shit what you say.

I tossed back their wallets.

I'm sorry you lost her. I'm sorry she's dead, and for what you and your parents are going through, but I don't believe Lionel Byrd killed your sister.

They came to their feet, Dennis bent to the side because of the collarbone. Gordon touched his eye, and seemed confused by the blood on his fingers. Dennis and Gordon watched their older brother, taking their cues from him.

Michael said, That's bullshit. The police said he did it.

Marx rushed the investigation so he could make a splash on TV. A lot of things got lost in the rush.

That's bullshit.

Is it?

I told them how Debra's murder was off the time line, how the others had all been murdered on moonless nights. I told them how Byrd was so gimped up in recent weeks with his bad foot he could barely walk, and had been flying on oxycodone the night he died. I told them how Marx shut down the case even before all the forensics were run, and that no one had yet spoken with the most important witness in Yvonne Bennett's murder Angel Tomaso. I told them about everything except the blind tests. They would talk about the things I was saying, and they might even tell the police. I didn't want the wrong people to know I knew about the blinds.

When I finished, Gordon, the youngest, sneered.

What makes you so much smarter than the police?

Maybe I'm just lucky.

Dennis said, The cops didn't tell us any of this.

Okay, maybe I'm smarter.

Michael frowned.

Maybe you're just trying to duck the blame.

Byrd didn't die after the first murder or the fourth or the sixth. He died after Debra's murder, so maybe something about her or her murder triggered everything else.

Michael glanced at his brothers, then wet his lips.

Like what?

I don't know, but I'm the only one looking, and I need your help.