Cowly introduced Scott to Bill Wallace, who worked Rampart Robbery. Claudia Isbecki was in the first of two tiny bedrooms, photographing dime bags of rock cocaine, a large pill bottle filled with crystal meth, a glass jar filled with weed, and assorted plastic bags containing Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexedrine, and other amphetamines. Wallace then led them to a second bedroom, where he pointed out a tattered black gym bag, and grinned like a man who won the lottery.
“Found this under the bed. Check it out.”
The bag contained a pry bar, two screwdrivers, a bolt cutter, a hacksaw, a lock pick set with tension wrenches, a bottle of graphite, and a battery-powered lock pick gun.
Wallace stepped back, beaming.
“We call this a do-it-yourself burglary kit as defined under Penal Code four-forty-six. Also known as a one- way ticket to conviction.”
Cowly nodded.
“Pictures. Log everything, and email the pix to me asap. They’ll save time with his lawyer.”
Cowly glanced at Scott, then turned away.
“Let’s go. We’re finished here.”
“What happens now?”
“I’ll bring you to your car. Then I’m going back to the Boat, and you should probably go wherever you dog guys go.”
“I meant with Ishi.”
“We’ll question him. We’ll use the charges we have to press him about Shin. If he didn’t rob Shin, maybe he knows who did. We work the case.”
Her phone rang when they reached the living room. She glanced at the Caller ID.
“That’s Orso. I’ll be out in a minute.”
She moved away to take the call. Scott wondered if he should wait, then decided to get Maggie out of the stink, and took her outside.
A small crowd of neighborhood residents was gathered across the street and in the surrounding yards to watch the action. Scott was watching them when two senior officers came up the walk with a thin young male in his early twenties. He sported a mop of curly black hair, gaunt cheeks, and nervous eyes. Then Scott saw the resemblance, and realized this was Marshall Ishi’s younger brother, Daryl. He was not handcuffed, which meant he was not under arrest.
Scott was stepping off the sidewalk to let them pass when Maggie alerted, and lunged toward Daryl. She caught Scott by surprise, and almost pulled him off his feet. She pulled so hard, she raised up onto her hind legs.
Daryl and the closest officer both lurched sideways, and the officer shouted.
“Jesus Christ!”
Scott reacted immediately.
“Out, Maggie. Out!”
Maggie retreated, but kept barking.
The officer who shouted was bright red with anger.
“Christ, man, control your dog. That thing almost bit me!”
“Maggie, out! Out! Come!”
Maggie followed Scott away. She didn’t seem frightened or angry. Her tail wagged, and she glanced from Daryl Ishi to the pocket with the hidden baloney to Daryl Ishi again.
Daryl said, “That dog bites me, I’ll sue your ass.”
Cowly stepped from the house and came down the steps. The flushed uniform introduced Daryl as Marshall’s brother.
“Says he lives here and wants to know what’s going on.”
Cowly nodded, and seemed to consider Daryl with a remote detachment.
“Your brother has been arrested on suspicion of burglary, theft, possession of stolen goods, possession of narcotics, and possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute.”
Daryl waited for her to continue. When she didn’t, he leaned sideways, trying to see inside through the open front door.
“Where’s Ganj?”
“Everyone within the house has been arrested. Your brother is being processed at the Rampart Community Police Station, and will then be transferred to the Police Administration Building.”
“Uh-huh. Okay. I got things in there. Can I go inside?”
“Not at this time. When the officers are finished, you’ll be allowed to enter.”
“I can leave?”
“Yes.”
Daryl Ishi slouched away without looking back. Maggie watched him, whimpering as she looked from Daryl to Scott.
Cowly said, “What’s wrong with her?”
“He probably smells like the house. She didn’t like that chemical odor.”
“Who in their right mind would?”
Cowly watched Daryl disappear down the street, and shook her head.
“How’d you like Marshall as your resident adult? That boy is following in his brother’s footprints right into his brother’s shitty life.”
She turned to Scott, and her professional face was softer.
“If this was unpleasant for you, I’m sorry. We should have explained why we wanted you here. Bud made it sound like we were doing you a favor.”
Scott’s head flooded with things to say, but they all sounded like apologies or excuses. He finally managed a shrug.
“Don’t sweat it.”
Scott said nothing more as they drove back to MacArthur Park. The SWAT van was gone, and only two radio cars and his Trans Am remained.
When Cowly stopped behind his car, he remembered the security videos and asked her about them.
“Melon got the security videos from Tyler’s and Club Red. Okay if I see them?”
She seemed surprised.
“Fine by me. All you’ll see is whatever the bartenders and waitresses said. They don’t show anything else.”
Scott tried to figure out how to explain.
“I’ve never seen Pahlasian and Beloit. Still pictures, yeah, but not alive.”
She gave a slow nod.
“Okay. I can make that happen.”
“They weren’t in the box.”
“Physical evidence is in the evidence room. I’ll dig them out for you. It probably won’t be today. I’ll be busy with Ishi.”
“I understand. Whenever is fine. Thanks.”
Scott got out, and opened the back door for Maggie. He clipped her lead, let her hop out, then looked at Cowly.
“I’m not crazy. It’s not like I have big holes in my head.”
Cowly looked embarrassed.
“I know you’re not crazy.”
Scott nodded, but didn’t feel any better. He was turning away when she called.
“Scott?”
He waited.
“I’d want to see them, too.”
Scott nodded again, and watched as she drove away. He checked the time. It was only ten minutes after eleven. He still had most of the day to work with his dog.
