On the first working day of the new year I drove downtown in my replacement Range Rover, found parking, and walked into the offices of RAW Data in the Mercantile Bank building. I asked to speak to Rachel and soon enough was directed back to her office. We had not spoken since the day the Shrike had been killed. I didn’t bother to sit down. I expected this to be quick.
“What’s up?” she asked tentatively.
“I have an idea and I want you to hear me out,” I said.
“I’m listening.”
“I don’t want to just tell murder stories on the podcast. I want to solve them.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I said. I want to work murders on the podcast. We bring in a case, a cold case, discuss it, work it, solve it. I want you to be part of it. You profile the cases, then we go to work on them.”
“Jack, you’re not—”
“It doesn’t matter that I’m not police. We live in digital times. The police are analog. We can put things together. Remember that woman who called the podcast? Charisse? She said nobody’s working that case. We could.”
“You’re talking about being amateur detectives.”
“You’re not an amateur, and I know when we were working on the Shrike you loved it. You were back doing what you were meant to do. I took that away from you but now I’m offering it back.”
“It’s not the same, Jack.”
“No, it’s better. Because we have no rules.”
She said nothing.
“Anybody can run background checks,” I said. “But you have a gift. I saw it with the Shrike.”
“And you’re saying this would be a podcast?” she asked.
“We meet, talk about the case, record and post it. The advertising will fund the investigations.”
“It seems kind of crazy.”
“There’s a podcast out there about a housewife who got a serial killer to confess. Nothing is crazy. This could work.”
“And where do these cases come from?”
“Anywhere, everywhere. Google. I’m going to find the case Charisse called about. Her sister’s case.”
Rachel was silent for a long moment before responding.
“Jack, is this …”
“No, it’s not a lame attempt to get back with you. I know I ruined it. I accept that. This is exactly what I just said it is. A podcast. We go after those who think they got away with it.”
She didn’t respond at first, but I thought I saw her almost nod when I had spoken.
“I’ll think about it,” she finally said.
“Okay, that’s all I ask,” I said. “Just don’t think too long.”
Having made the pitch, I turned and left the office without a further word. I walked out of the elegant old building and onto Main Street. There was a chill in the January air but the sun was out and it was going to be a good year. I headed down the street to my car. My phone buzzed before I got to it.
It was Rachel.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
This book is a work of fiction, but FairWarning is a real news site offering tough watchdog reporting on consumer issues. It is a nonprofit founded and edited by Myron Levin. The author is a member of FairWarning’s board of directors. FairWarning and Myron Levin’s name were used with permission. Go to FairWarning.org for further information and to consider making a donation to support its important work.
The genetic research explored in this novel is based on fact and current understanding of the human genome. The reporting regarding government oversight of the genetic-analytics industry is also based on current standards. Any errors or omissions are strictly the fault of the author.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author gratefully acknowledges the help of many in the research, writing, and editing of this book. They include Asya Muchnick, Emad Akhtar, Bill Massey, Heather Rizzo, Jane Davis, Linda Connelly, Paul Connelly, Justin Hysler, David Vasil, Terrill Lee Lankford, Dennis Wojciechowski, Shannon Byrne, Henrik Bastin, John Houghton, Pamela Marshall, and Allan Fallow.
The author also acknowledges the book Our Genes, Our Choices: How Genotype and Gene Interactions Affect Human Behavior by Dr. David Goldman, founder of the Laboratory of Neurogenetics at the National Institutes of Health.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A former police reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Michael Connelly is the international bestselling author of 34 novels. He has created many genre-defining characters, including detectives Harry Bosch and Renée Ballard, lawyer Mickey Haller and crime reporter Jack McEvoy. His most recent #1 bestseller is The Night Fire, in which the legendary Harry Bosch and LAPD Detective Renée Ballard come together again on a murder case that obsessed Bosch’s mentor.
Michael Connelly’s books have sold more than seventy-four million copies worldwide. They have been translated into forty languages and have won awards all over the world, including the Edgar and Anthony Awards. Michael Connelly has also been awarded the 2018 CWA Diamond Dagger, the highest honour in British crime writing.
Connelly is the executive producer of the successful TV series, Bosch, starring Titus Welliver. Bosch Season 6 will air in 2020, and a final seventh season has been confirmed for 2021.
Michael Connelly’s true crime podcast, Murder Book, premiered in January 2019 and is available on most podcast apps or online at murderbookpodcast.com.
Michael Connelly spends his time in California and Florida.
To find out more, head to:
www.michaelconnelly.com.au
/MichaelConnellyBooks
@Connellybooks
Table of Contents
COVER PAGE
ALSO BY THE AUTHOR
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT PAGE
DEDICATION
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
JACK 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
HAMMOND 13
14
15
JACK
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
THE SHRIKE 24
JACK 25
26
27
28
THE SHRIKE 29
JACK 30
31
32
THE SHRIKE 33
JACK 34
35
36
37
38
39
THE SHRIKE 40
THE FIRST STORY FBI: “DNA KILLER” ON THE LOOSE
JACK 41
42
THE LAST STORY FBI KILLS ARMED MAN IN “SHRIKE” TAKEDOWN
JACK 43
44
45
THE END 46
AUTHOR’S NOTE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fair Warning - Jack McEvoy Series 03 (2020) Page 30