His beautiful Scandinavian girlfriend was, he reported, "hanging out with her friends and drowning her sorrows with Aquavit. Her homeland's beverage. But, if you ask me, it's undrinkable."
"How's your mom?"
Cooper lived with his mother, a feisty lady who was a long-term Queensean.
"She's doing well. Out for brunch at the Boat House."
Sachs also asked about Pulaski's wife and two young children. Then added, "Thanks for coming in on Sunday." To Rhyme: "You did tell him how much we appreciate it, didn't you?"
"I'm sure I did," he muttered. "Now, if we could get to work. . . . So what've you got?" He eyed the large brown folder she carried.
"Evidence inventory and photos from the coin theft and rape."
"Where's the actual P.E.?"
"Archived in the evidence warehouse on Long Island."
"Well, let's take a look."
As she had with his cousin's file, Sachs picked up a marker and began writing on another whiteboard.
HOMICIDE/THEFT--MARCH 27
* * *
March 27
Crime: Homicide, theft of six boxes of rare coins COD: Blood loss, shock, due to multiple stab wounds Location: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Victim: Howard Schwartz
Suspect: Randall Pemberton
EVIDENCE LOG FROM VICTIM'S HOUSE: * Grease
* Flecks of dried hair spray
* Polyester fibers
* Wool fibers
* Shoeprint of size 9 1/2 Bass walker Witness reported man in tan-colored vest fleeing to black Honda Accord EVIDENCE INVENTORY FROM SUSPECT'S HOUSE AND CAR: * Grease on umbrella on patio, matching what was found at victim's house * Pair of 9 1/2 Bass walkers * Clairol hair spray, matching fleck found at scene
* Knife/Trace embedded in handle:
* Dust matching nothing at either crime scene or suspect's house * Flecks of old cardboard
* Knife/Trace on blade:
* Victim's blood. Positive match
* Suspect owned 2004 black Honda Accord
* One coin identified as coming from the collection of victim * A Culberton Outdoor Company vest, tan. Polyester fiber found at the scene matches * A wool blanket in the car. The wool fiber at the scene matches Note: Prior to trial, investigators canvassed major coin dealers in metro area or on the Internet. No one attempted to fence the particular stolen coins.
"So if our perp stole the coins he's kept them. And 'dust matching nothing at either crime scene.' . . . That means it probably came from the perp's house. But what the hell kind of dust is it? Didn't they analyze it?" Rhyme shook his head. "Okay, I want to see the pictures. Where are they?"
"I'm getting them. Hold on."