Free Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais

splattered the boards like rain and the pictures of dead people had faded. When I finished, Grace jumped to her feet and applauded.
    I shouted, “Your turn. Naked.”
    She lifted her T-shirt, flashing her breasts. Her husband laughed again.
    These neighbors are something.
    I drank the rest of the water, then went back inside as the phone rang. It was Alan Levy’s assistant.
    â€œMr. Cole?”
    â€œDid Alan see the news about Lionel Byrd?”
    â€œYes, sir. He’d like you to bring by your file at ten if that time works for you.”
    I told him the time worked fine, then returned to my notes. I combined the information I learned from Lindo and the Times with the facts I found online, then organized it into a chart:
    1—Frostokovich—wht—10/2—strngld—dwntn—(Marx!)
    2—Evansfield—blk—9/28—stab—Brtwd—jog—(?)
    3—Morrow—blk—10/7—blntfc—Hywd—pros—(?)
    4—Trinh—asn—9/23—stab—Slvrlk—pros—(?)
    5—Bennett—wht—10/3—blntfc—Slvrlk—pros—(Crimmens)
    6—Escondido—lat—10/9—fire—StCty—hmls—(?)
    7—Repko—wht—7/26—suff—HanPk—conslt.—(?)
    When you study these things you look for patterns, but patterns were in short supply.
    The victims were of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds, and none had been raped, bitten, chewed, or sexually abused. Two of the murders occurred in Silver Lake, but the others were scattered throughout the city. The only common elements seemed to be that all of the victims were women and six of the seven murders had occurred in the fall.
    The most recent murder was different. Where the first six victims had all been murdered in the fall, Debra Repko had died in the early summer, almost three months ahead of the others.
    I was wondering why when I had a notion about the dates and went back to my computer. You hear about killers being triggered by astrological events or the zodiac, so I googled an astronomy almanac and entered the dates.
    I didn’t learn anything about astrology, but the first six murders had all taken place within two days either way of the new moon—the darkest nights of the month. Repko had been murdered when the moon was nearing its three-quarter phase. After six consecutive murders in darkness, Debra Repko had been killed when the night sky was brilliantly lit.
    I checked the time. It was after nine, but I dug out Bastilla’s card and called. She was clipped and abrupt when she answered.
    â€œBastilla.”
    â€œIt’s Elvis Cole. You have a minute?”
    â€œCan I pick up the files?”
    â€œI’m seeing Levy at ten. Christ, Bastilla, can’t you ride a different horse?”
    â€œI have a lot to do, Cole. What do you want?”
    â€œHow did you guys explain the differences in the Repko murder?”
    Bastilla didn’t speak for a moment. I heard noises in her background, but couldn’t tell if she was at her office or in her car.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œDebra Repko was murdered three months out of sync with the others.”
    â€œThank you. We know.”
    â€œShe was killed on a night with a three-quarter moon. The first six were killed under a new moon. That’s a major change in method.”
    â€œBelieve it or not, we know our business here. If you expect me to review our investigation with you, you’re out of your mind.”
    â€œYour asshole partner Crimmens telling me I got two women killed makes it my business, too.”
    â€œGood-bye, Cole. We’re done.”
    The line went dead in my ear, but I grinned hard at the phone.
    â€œBastilla, I’m just getting started.”
    I showered, dressed, then packed up the copy of my files and went to see Alan Levy.
    Finding my own evidence.

9
    PICTURE THE detective swinging into action. I picked up the