“Well, someone knocked Jesse out for a few rolls of the bogus currency and a pile of old newspapers. They’ll know we know where the bills came from. The rats will crawl back in their holes.”

“But they left some things behind,” Mancini said. “We have DNA from the person’s blood who was wounded by Finch. We have some CCTV footage of a sedan in the area of the parking deck. The plate light was out, but the vehicle looks to be a dark blue Chevy Malibu.”

“What about the SUV Jesse saw?”

“No. They must have stayed on back streets.” Mancini looked at the money again. “Why’d you split it up?”

“Instinct.”

“The bag was in your workout room?”

“Yes. Which is why I can’t excuse my lapse in judgment. My instinct was to guard against someone taking it. I underestimated the attempt would be so soon.”

Mancini poured a healthy splash of cream in his mug and dropped in a sugar cube. “Well, it’s nice to finally know you’re human like the rest of us.”

A creak sounded from the back stairs.

Ethel swiveled on her stool. “Who’s there?”

Lisa Draper and Douglas Gray stepped into the kitchen.

“Sorry,” Lisa said. “We thought you’d be in the living room. Douglas and I are running out to get something to eat. We’re bringing a sandwich back for Jesse. Would you like anything?”

Ethel looked at Mancini.

He shook his head. “No thanks. I probably won’t be here.”

“I’ll fix something later,” Ethel said.

Lisa looked down at the newspapers piled beside the recycling bin. Then she saw the money. “What’s that?”

Ethel glanced at Mancini. He shrugged.

She turned back to her two roomers. “It might be why Jonathan was killed.”

Lisa remained frozen, staring open-mouthed at the money. Douglas stepped around her and bent to pick up a roll of bills.

“Leave it alone,” Mancini ordered. “I have jurisdiction over Jesse’s attack. I’ll be in touch with Director Bradshaw, and he and I will decide how this is handled.”

Douglas straightened and moved toward the detective. “Jonathan was my friend. I won’t be shut out.”

Mancini hopped from the stool. “And maybe that’s why you shouldn’t be involved. But that’s Director Bradshaw’s call. You can make your case to him. Right now, I suggest you bring Jesse his sandwich.”