The order came directly from the chief. I thought it was another OIS case like all the rest, but this time it’s different.”

“Why?”

“That’s what got me thinking. Either he’s getting pressure from outside to use you, or it’s some kind of . . .”

Trap, Lena thought. Her lieutenant didn’t need to finish the sentence. She got it. The chief wanted her out and was hoping something might push her closer to the door. This case could be the fucking door.

“What about a partner?” she asked.

“You’re on your own. I’ll make Sanchez and Rhodes available if you need them, but you’re flying solo. Your orders are to report directly to the chief and his adjutant.”

“Klinger?”

“Yeah, Klinger. I just e-mailed you a copy of the chief’s schedule for the day. He wants to be briefed after you’ve had a look at the crime scene. Doesn’t matter what time it is. He wants a report in person as soon as you’re done. Even if you’ve gotta wake him up in the middle of the fucking night, you need to show your face. You need to be there.”

“I’m okay with that.”

“Lena.”

“Yeah?”

“I talked it over with Rhodes and told him not to bother you. But he’s thinking the same thing I am.”

“And what’s that?”

“This smell’s like yesterday’s catch.”

She turned away from the window and noticed that her fingers were trembling slightly.

“When I picked up, Frank, you said good news, bad news. When does it start to get good?”

He laughed, trying to cheer her up. “The crime scene’s in Hollywood. You used to work with Pete Sweeney. He’s your old partner, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, Sweeney and Banks got the call. They already know it’s your case. They’ll work the day with you, then back off. You cool?”

She nodded, then remembered that she was on the phone. She was thinking about the sixth floor at Parker Center and looking through the doorway at her gun on the bedside table. A Smith & Wesson .45 semiautomatic. The sun was low in the December sky and had moved to the other side of the house. She could see the rays of light feeding through the window, her pistol awash in red and gold. She had killed a man this year, in the line of duty.