He put his shoulder against the wall for a moment and then slid down to a seated position on the steps. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. He was hyperventilating and tried to slow down his breathing cycle. He ran a hand back through his hair and then held the hand across his mouth.
He closed his eyes and remembered another time when he was in a place of death, huddled in a tunnel and far from home. He was really just a boy then and he was scared and trying to control his breathing. That was the key. Control your breathing and you control the fear.
He sat there for no more than two minutes but it seemed like an entire night went by. Finally his breathing returned to normal and the memory of the tunnels faded.
His phone buzzed and it brought him out of the dark moment. He pulled it and looked at the screen. It was Chu.
“Yeah?”
“Harry, you okay over there? You’re taking a long time.”
“I’m cool. I’ll be over in a minute.”
“Are we good?”
Meaning did Bosch find what they needed in 6A.
“Yeah, we’re good.”
He disconnected and then called Tim Marcia’s direct number. He obliquely explained to the squad whip what was going on.
“We’re going to need people down here,” Bosch said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of work to do. We are also going to need media relations and a liaison with the locals. We should set up a command post because we’re going to be here all week.”
“Okay, I’m on it,” Marcia said. “I’ll talk to the lieutenant and we’ll start mobilizing. It sounds like we’re going to need to send everybody.”
“That would be good.”
“Are you all right, Harry? You sound weird.”
“I’m all right.”
Bosch gave him the address and hung up. He sat still for another two minutes and then made the next call, to Kizmin Rider’s cell.
“Harry, I know why you’re calling and all I can tell you is that it was thought out very carefully. A decision was made that was best for the department and we’re never going to talk about it. It’s best that way for you, too.”
She was talking about the Times story on Irving and the taxi franchise. The case seemed so distant to Bosch now. And so meaningless.
“That’s not why I’m calling.”
“Oh. Then, what’s up? You don’t sound right.”
“I’m fine. We just took down a big one that I’m sure the chief’s going to want to get in on. You remember the Mandy Phillips case up in the West Valley about nine, ten years ago?”
“No, refresh me.”
“Thirteen years old, she got grabbed at a mall out there. Never found, nobody ever arrested.”
“You got the guy?”
“Yeah, and get this. When he got a driver’s license three years ago? He gave the girl’s address as his own.”
Rider was silent as she registered Hardy’s audacity.
“I’m glad you got him,” she finally said.
“She’s not the only one. We’re down in Orange County putting it together. But it’s going to get big. The guy claims his number is thirty-seven.”
“Oh, my god!”
“He’s got a closet full of cameras and photos and tapes. There are VHS tapes, Kiz. This guy’s been at this a very long time.”
Bosch knew he was taking a risk in revealing to Rider what he had found while jumping the warrant. They had been partners once but the bulletproof bond they shared then was now rusting through. Still, he risked it. Politics and high jingo aside, if he couldn’t trust her, then he could trust no one.
“You told Lieutenant Duvall all of this?”
“I told the whip. Not everything, but enough. I think they’re coming down with everybody.”
“Okay, I’ll check in and monitor things. I don’t know if the chief will go down there. But he’ll want to get involved. They may want to use the theater here for something like this.”
The PAB complex had a ground-level theater that was used for award programs, special events and major press conferences. This would be one of those.
“Okay, but that wasn’t the main reason I called.”
“Well, what was the main reason?”
“Did you do anything yet about moving my partner out of the unit?”
“Uh, no. I’ve been a little busy this morning.”
“Good. Then don’t. Never mind that.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then.”
“And that other thing you mentioned. About me getting the whole five years on the DROP. Is that something you still think you can do?”
“I was pretty sure I could get it done when I made the offer. After this case, I think it’s a cinch. They’re going to want to keep you around, Harry. You’re about to get famous.”