Michael Connelly: The Crossing

“Your Honor, what does counsel think he is doing?” he asked. “The state objects to this grandstanding and prejudicial display.”

“Mr. Haller,” the judge said sternly. “What is this demonstration?”

From his file Haller produced another document.

“Your Honor, this affidavit offers the sworn statement of a person named Andre Masters, who was a close friend of the murder victim James Allen. He states that this container of Rainbow Pride condoms was recovered from Mr. Allen’s belongings after his murder. These are belongings the investigators of the murder did not collect. This is the same brand of condoms from which the CTE found in and on Alexandra Parks came. This is direct linkage between these two murders and it directly supports the defense theory that Da’Quan Foster was set up for this murder by Officers Ellis and Long.”

Haller’s response was punctuated by objections from Landreth but Sackville had not stopped Haller from finishing his explanation. After a pause, the judge responded.

“Let me take a look at that affidavit.”

Haller walked a copy up to the bench and then gave one to Landreth. For the next few minutes the judge and prosecutor silently reviewed the statement. Bosch had found Masters and recovered the container of condoms a few days earlier when he finally returned to Haven House and paid the manager fifty dollars for Masters’s cell-phone number.

“Your Honor,” Landreth said. “The strange origin of this statement and the purported chain of custody of this, this, this condom container aside, the only evidence you have here is unreliable. Additionally, we once again have a discovery violation. The state was not provided with this affidavit until this very moment. Therefore, the state objects to its inclusion as an exhibit and moves that it be disallowed in the questioning of Detective Cornell. Smoke and mirrors, Your Honor.”

As Landreth sat down, Haller countered.

“Your Honor, two things very quickly. First, I have here another copy of an e-mail, this one to the prosecutor previously assigned to this case. This affidavit from Mr. Masters was sent to her as well, meaning there was no discovery violation on the part of the defense. And second, Your Honor, the defense offers three exhibits from the LAPD murder book from the James Allen investigation. These are LAPD crime scene photographs that clearly depict the container of condoms in the victim’s motel room on the day his murder was discovered. It is a match to what you see right here.”

Haller walked the e-mail and photos up to the judge and then went back to the lectern. Bosch saw him wink at Maddie in the first row as he returned.

The judge took his time with the documents and the photos in front of him. The courtroom was so quiet Bosch could hear the air conditioner kick on above the ceiling.

Finally, the judge stacked the affidavits and photos together and leaned toward his microphone to speak.

“The court finds this evidence and the testimony brought by the defense compelling and exculpatory, while the state’s own witness is unconvincing. The court hereby finds upon review of new evidence that the cause of the preliminary hearing is set aside. The charges against the defendant are dismissed. The state is free to reinstate the charges when and if it can meet the threshold of probable cause. Mr. Foster, you are free to go. You should be sure to thank your attorney for his thoroughness and zeal. Court is now adjourned.”

And just like that it was over. The silence in the courtroom held as the judge stepped down from the bench and left through the door to his chambers. Then a burst of surprised conversation broke out throughout the room. Haller turned to Bosch first to shake hands.

“You did it,” Bosch said.

“No, you did it,” Haller said. “We make a good team.”

Haller then turned toward his client and put an arm over his shoulder as he hugged and congratulated him. Bosch was left odd man out at the table and so he turned to look back at his daughter. She was beaming.

“Yay, Dad!”

He smiled and nodded, uneasy with the victory. He had to admit he was happy, and it was the first time he had ever felt that way after hearing charges of murder being dismissed. It would take some getting used to.

In the hallway outside the courtroom, the show belonged to Haller. Landreth didn’t stick around. Cornell and Harrick didn’t stick around. And Foster had to be processed out of custody and wouldn’t actually be a free man for at least a couple more hours. That left Haller. The media from around the world surrounded him in an undulating circle of cameras, recorders, and microphones extended toward his face. He was like the guy who hit the walk-off home run at the World Series. They were three deep from all sides and Haller kept turning, looking high and low, giving everyone an opportunity to ask questions and hear his sage and sometimes wry responses. From his pocket he pulled a thick stack of business cards and handed them out as he spoke, making sure the reporters had his name right. The best advertising is free advertising.

Bosch stood off to the side with his daughter and watched the spectacle.

“This is amazing,” Maddie said.

“Just don’t get any ideas,” Bosch said. “One defense lawyer in the family is enough.”

“All right if I get closer up there to listen?”

“Sure, just don’t get eaten by those sharks. It’s a feeding frenzy.”

Maddie rolled her eyes and went off to approach the media knot.

Bosch looked around and saw Mendenhall standing a few yards away in the secondary ring of hallway observers. She was fascinated by the media spectacle as well. Bosch sauntered over and they spoke while keeping their eyes on the center scrum.

“Thanks for coming today,” he said.

“I wouldn’t have missed it,” she said. “By the way, your daughter is very proud of you. I can tell.”

“For now.”

“No, forever.”

He smiled and nodded. He hoped so.

“I hope you have an unlisted number,” Mendenhall said. “People are going to be calling you and Haller. Every innocent man in the system.”

Bosch shook his head.

“Not me,” he said. “I’m one and done.”

“Really? You?” she asked. “So, what’s next?”

Bosch shrugged and thought for a moment. Then he took his eyes off the circus and looked at her.

“I’ve got an old Harley. A nineteen-fifty panhead that needs its carburetor back in place. Actually, it needs a lot of things back in place. That’s next. It’s the same bike Lee Marvin rode in The Wild One . You ever see it?”

“I don’t think so.”

“You ride, Mendenhall?”

Now she took her eyes off the circus and looked at him.

“Not in a long time.”

“Me neither. Give me a couple weeks and I’ll call you. We’ll ride.”

“I’d like that.”

Bosch nodded, then stepped away and walked over to get his daughter. It was time to go home.

The author enjoyed the company and help of many fine people during the research, writing, and editing of this novel. Many thanks go to the real detectives — Tim Marcia, Rick Jackson, Mitzi Roberts, and David Lambkin — for their efforts to make Harry Bosch and his world as real as possible. Other readers whose help was just as important include Daniel Daly, Roger Mills, Henrik Bastin, John Houghton, Terrill Lee Lankford, Jane Davis, Heather Rizzo, and Linda Connelly. Additionally, thanks go to researcher Dennis “Cisco” Wojciechowski (watch-your-house-key). Three fine editors somehow made sense of the whole mess and to them the greatest debt of thanks is owed: Asya Muchnick, Bill Massey, and Pamela Marshall.