Pike's head swiveled toward Crimmens. Nothing else moved; just his head.

If I showed you, I'd have to kill you.

I stepped in before it got out of hand.

Joe didn't help on this one. This thing was Detective Work 101. I must pull thirty cases like this a year.

Crimmens said, That's sweet. You must take pride in that, helping shitbirds get away with murder.

Crimmens was pissing me off again.

What are we talking about this for, Bastilla? This thing was settled three years ago.

Bastilla opened her pad and studied the page.

So you are telling us you have never met Lionel Byrd?

I have never met him.

Are you acquainted with a man named Lonnie Jones?

No. Is he your new suspect?

During your investigation into the matter of Yvonne Bennett, did you discover evidence linking Mr. Byrd to any other crimes or criminal activities?

What kind of question is that? Have you re-arrested him?

Bastilla scribbled a note. When she looked up, her eyes were ringed with purple cutting down to her mouth. She looked as tired as a person can look without being dead.

No, Mr. Cole, we can't arrest him. Eight days ago, he was found during the evacuation up in Laurel Canyon. Head shot up through the bottom of his chin. He had been dead about five days.

I didn't kill him.

Crimmens laughed.

Wouldn't that be funny, Con? Wouldn't that be too perfect? Man, I would love that.

Bastilla smiled, but not because she thought it was funny.

He committed suicide. He was living under the name Lonnie Jones. Know why he was using an alias?

No idea. Maybe because he didn't like being accused of murders he didn't commit.

Bastilla leaned toward me and crossed her arms on a knee.

The man's dead now, Cole. Reason we're here, we'd like to examine the reports and work product you have from the Bennett case. Your notes. The people you questioned. Everything in your file.

She waited without blinking, studying me as if she knew what I would say, but was hoping I might not say it. I shook my head.

I was working on behalf of defense counsel. That material belongs to Alan Levy.

Levy is being contacted.

Crimmens said, The fucker's dead, Cole. You got him off. What's it matter now?

If Levy says fine, then fine, but I worked for him, Crimmens, not you. There's that little thing about expectation of confidentiality.'

I looked back at Bastilla.

If the man's dead and you don't think I killed him, why do you care what's in my files about Yvonne Bennett?

Bastilla sighed, then straightened.

Because this isn't only about Bennett. Lionel Byrd murdered seven women. We believe he murdered one woman every year for the past seven years. Yvonne Bennett was his fifth victim.