Page 37
“That’s what they called it.”
Bosch couldn’t tell if Laffont was angling to find out what horrors he had suffered at MacLaren, but the conversation ended then when they arrived at a small ranch house surrounded by police vehicles. Bosch drove past and parked two houses down. He and Laffont walked back and joined Ballard and Masser, who had gotten a closer spot reserved for the lead detective. They were standing on a slate walkway that led to the front door.
Several members of the Special Investigation Section, the LAPD’s elite surveillance and takedown unit, were milling about in front of the house. There was also a K9 officer and his dog standing off to the side. Bosch recognized Jonathan Chicquette and his shepherd mix Si. The duo had legendary status in the department because of the many high-profile cases they had worked, including many with Bosch when he carried a badge.
“Harry?” Chicquette said. “What are you doing here?”
Bosch walked up and they bumped fists.
“I guess I’m a consultant,” he said. “It was my case back in the day.”
“Cool.”
“You here to catch rabbits?”
“If necessary, but I got the feeling they didn’t see it coming. Nobody got the chance to run.”
Chicquette and Si had accompanied Bosch on several search-and-arrest operations. Bosch looked at the dog. She was sitting obediently on her rear haunches. Bosch knew not to pet her.
“How’s Si doing?”
“All good. She’s retiring at the end of the year. We both are.”
“Congratulations. Staying around?”
“No, headed to Washington. Got an executive-protection gig. Both of us as a team.”
“That DC or state?”
“State. Seattle.”
“Have fun.”
Bosch saw Ballard wave him over. He excused himself from Chicquette and walked over to her.
“We’re clear to go in,” Ballard said. “I’m thinking you hang back and be the big surprise.”
“However you want to do it,” Bosch said. “You going to tell them what you’ve got?”
“Better. I’m going to have you play it for them.”
“That’ll be fun.”
Ballard handed him a mini-recorder.
“It’s teed up,” she said. “Just hit Play.”
“Will do,” Bosch said.
“Okay, I’ll text you when I want you to come in.”
“Sounds good.”
Bosch walked back over to Chicquette and his dog. Chicquette nodded at the recorder.
“What’s that about?” he asked.
“Kind of a prop,” Bosch said. “See if we can get a reaction.”
