Holmes Coming by Kenneth Johnson

Author:Kenneth Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Published: 2022-10-24T23:35:50+00:00

10

In 2015 the San Francisco Police Department Headquarters moved from its former Stalinesque, monolithic Hall of Justice building on Bryant Street to a new facility at 1051 Third Street. It was a few blocks below Oracle Park and just one block from the waters of the East Bay. It consisted of three interconnected, seven-story, glass-fronted buildings that filled the blocks between Mission Rock and China Basin Streets. It was pleasingly modern and, to Holmes’ eyes, strikingly different from the weathered coal-dust-blackened stones of Old Scotland Yard in 1890s London.

Holmes had decided it was time to pay the SFPD a call. He walked briskly up the three short steps from the Bryant Street sidewalk, never breaking his stride as he marched toward the glass door, which he naturally expected to open automatically for him.

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t automatic—and he did a hard header right into it, knocking off his newsboy cap and giving him a lump on his forehead. It was an inauspicious beginning, but Holmes quickly collected himself and pressed on, unaware that it was an ill omen of the shape of things to come.

Having no picture identification—nor any other kind—it took him nearly an hour to acquire the pass necessary to be admitted deeper into the building. Only after explaining to numerous stone-faced security guards that he had pertinent information related to two recent murders was he given temporary permission. Then he was guided through the pristine corridors by an athletic, engaging rookie whose name tag read Faheem.

“Got some info on Jimmy the Gimp, huh?” she energetically asked, “That’s great, Mr. . . . uh . . .”

“Holmes, Hubert.” He had decided against using his famous literary first name out of concern he would not be taken seriously. Clearly that was a wise choice.

“I’ll tell ya,” the rookie chuckled, “Detective Griffin’s one of our top guys, but he can use all the help he can get to bring old James Booth down.”

“Well, I am certain that together we can achieve that aim.”

They turned a corner and came into a section with a wide double door numbered 304 that looked newer and smelled of fresh paint. The young officer said, “This section’s all been redone, you seen it before?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Totally state of the art now.” Faheem was jazzed about it. She pointed proudly through a glass wall. “Check out down there—a whole wing for pathology and forensics. Best SID in the country.”

Holmes glanced at her, “And SID would be . . . ?”

“Scientific Investigation Division. They’re like total aces, man! They can take the tiniest, most obscure detail or drop of blood or DNA, then make the most amazing connections.”

Not wanting to appear out of touch or behind the times, Holmes did not inquire as to the meaning of DNA. But he looked with extreme curiosity through the glass into the busy police laboratory. He saw a dozen people working with computers, tablets, and all manner of sophisticated biological and electrochemical lab equipment. Holmes was intrigued even as a

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.