“Some of that I knew, yes. But I wanted to put together the best team of volunteers I could find, and he was at the top of my list. We solved this case largely because of moves he made.”

“How would you feel if we had to remove him from the team?”

“I don’t understand. It was his work that led us to Rawls, and now you want to kick him to the curb?”

“I’m not saying that. At least not yet. But we will have a perception problem with the unit when it is revealed that one of your selections was a killer. I’m sure you will agree that it’s not a good look, Detective Ballard. And I’m wondering if we want to start over.”

“You mean clean house?”

“For lack of a better term.”

“First, I want to say that Rawls was not my selection. He was pushed on us by the councilman’s office. I didn’t want Rawls, but Councilman Pearlman’s chief of staff made me take him. I talked to Captain Gandle about it and we agreed to take him on to keep the support of the councilman. But I still don’t see why this should result in cleaning house. We have a good team. We have a former deputy D.A. who is our legal sounding board, an IGG expert, and other capable investigators, with Harry Bosch being the best of the bunch.”

“Well, let’s put that decision aside for now and go down and talk to the media. We’ll see how things go before making any decisions.”

Somehow Ballard felt that a decision had already been made. The chief stood up and Rivera did as well.

“Let me get the handouts from the printer,” he said.

After Rivera left the room, Ballard stood and faced the chief of police.

“Sir, if you decide you need to start over with the unit, then you will have to do that without me. If Harry Bosch goes, I go.”

The chief looked at her for a long moment before responding.

“Are you threatening me, Detective Ballard?” he said.

“Not at all,” Ballard said. “I’m just telling you the facts, sir. If he goes, I go.”

“Understood. But let’s take things one step at a time. Let’s see how this thing goes and then we can decide the future.”

“Yes, sir.”

40