Diary Saturday 6th 09:00

"What a fantastic night last night was, it could not have gone any smoother if I had tried. My song has begun. I suppose there is going to be all hell breaking loose out there when they find my work. It is inevitable. I hope the investigators get my point sooner rather than later.

The die has now been cast, the Rubicon crossed. I know I am right in what I am doing; I just hope that no one works it out before I am finished. You know how I hate starting something and not getting to finish it.

Yellow is in my sights. It's going to happen, happen very soon."

 

DI Sarah Smith felt groggy. Getting called out that late at night always did that to her. Only last night was different. She had dealt with many murder cases before, but this one was the first where she actually knew the person who had been killed. Kay Mullone and Sarah had met on a number of occasions working the same cases, although from different angles. Sarah had not normally got on with defence lawyers, but Kay was different. They had often exchanged friendly emails and had even gone as far as going out for the odd drink. Kay's distraught parents were coming in from the country this morning. Sarah always hated this part, telling the victims loved ones that someone close to them had been wrenched from this world violently. It was Sarah's job to find out who and, maybe to give the loved ones peace, why.

Sarah's phone rang. After a brief chat, she steeled herself to go and meet Kay's folks.

Keller felt groggy. A night on vodka would do that to you, even if you did it pretty much every night. Too many ghosts. Keller knew that he was destroying himself and his cherished career, but once he got into that bottle, he stopped caring. He leant back on his chair and wondered what his agency-appointed shrink would make of that. Keller started to shuffle through his raft of papers and communications. He was stopped in his tracks as he saw the email that Janice, his secretary, had printed out. Kay Mullone was dead. Keller whistled through his teeth as the news sank in.

Keller and Mullone had crossed swords on a number of occasions. She had been looking into his department due to their "unorthodox" methods of working. She had not found out much, after all they were protected from on high because they got results, but it had not deterred her in the slightest. Even though they did not get on, Keller had always had the highest regard for her, as she had reminded him of himself when he was a bit younger and thought he could change the world. Keller read on.

As Keller put down the report, he felt washed out and surprised. Sarah Smith, little Sarah Smith, was investigating this. He had not heard that name in many years. Time had clearly been kind to her; she was now a DI and doing very well for herself. Keller did not rate her much as an investigator, but her ability to play the political game was peerless. After all, her big case had actually been his hard work. All that had lead to that reckless night at her house. What was he doing? He was already heading for SLAG when he did that. It was a wondered he had not lost his job, or worse, from that night of madness. The communication was for information, not action. Keller gave a shudder at how bad it would be to work with Smith. Thank the heavens for information only. Actionable bulletins were not for those with hangovers.

Sarah sat at her desk, thinking while staring down at the murder book. This was the time a case is at it's quickest moving. The whole shape of the case is developed over the next day or so. Trouble is, whoever the killer was, he had left nothing. Not a jot. No fingerprints, no trace. You could almost believe that the person had been a ghost, passing through undetected and causing such damage and pain in their wake. Sarah wanted this bastard, wanted him bad. The problem was just where to start. Time to start seeking out her contacts, colleagues and the scum she had kept out of jail.

Keller put the phone down. Bosch had just checked in to see if there was anything that required his attention. Keller had told him that there wasn't, apart from the news about Mullone's death. He had seemed pretty shocked.

"You're joking" Bosch had replied.

"Nah", Keller replied, "I don't think we should get involved, but it is something we are going to keep an eye on. It could bounce back to us."

"Too right," Bosch replied, "Who has caught the case?"

Keller sighed, "Here's the kicker. Sarah Smith." Keller heard Bosch take a deep breath. Bosch knew everything that had gone on between Keller and Smith before.

"You watch yourself around her," Bosch warned, "The last thing you need right now is locking horns with her again. She could have finished you last time"

Keller nodded to himself "Yes, I know, mate. I'm staying well away, until we are called in or questioned."

"Good plan" Bosch said. "Right, old friend, I am off for the weekend. Kids again." Keller knew that his weary tone was just covering his pleasure at the idea of seeing his children for the whole weekend. Keller smiled and played along.

"Take care, matey, and have a great time. Give them a kiss from me" Keller said, a smile coming onto his face.

"Will do, later" and Bosch rang off.

Keller stared absently round his office. Nothing to do, nothing to go home for. Perhaps he could go home and find himself something to do, he thought. Something new and exciting.
"Fat chance", Keller said to himself as he picked up his bag and left the office.

 

Diary Saturday 6th, 13:00

"Dear diary, looks like they don't know a thing. Maybe tonight I should kill some time and sing another verse of my song. Yellow, but only not as benign as Coldplay.

Everything is in place, nothing can go wrong. Just have to watch myself with this one, she is trained. Not as trained as me though. Tonight is going to be a blast. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my system even now."

 

Sarah closed the murder book and stared at the wall. There was no more she could do here today. She had sent through all her requests for information out and could not really do anything without it. DS Corinne Fletcher, her new assistant, was already interviewing Mullone's friends, so they would get together on Monday to see what she had turned up.

Sarah smiled to herself as she thought of the upcoming night. She had a date with a new man, so all was looking good. The smile never left her face as she put on her coat and left the office.

The car pulled up outside the small block of flats. The driver killed the engine and turned off his lights. The driver waited for a couple to walk past the car and, once they were clear, they got out. Her lights were on, he noted. He reached into his pocket and produced a pair of latex gloves. Then he walked towards the entrance.

"Yellow time is here", he murmured to himself. He opened the door to the complex.