The Stone Monkey

prison it was like he died. Then all the crime scenes I run. I wanted to have some life around us, Lincoln and me. I wanted so badly to fix what’s wrong inside me.”
    Whatever it takes, look out for yourself first. If you’re not whole, you’ll never be able to take care of anybody else.
    Sung’s treatment, she hoped, was a way to do this—to make herself whole.
    Lifting his palms, Sellitto said, “I didn’t know. You were real secret about it.”
    Angrily she said, “Because it’s nobody’s business but Lincoln’s and mine.” She nodded toward Rhyme’s room. “Don’t you know what he and I are to each other? How could you think I’d do something like that?”
    The disorderly detective couldn’t hold her gaze. “With Betty leaving and everything, I was just thinking about what happened to me.” The big cop’s marriage had broken up some years before. No one knew the details of Sellitto’s divorce but it was a well-known fact that being married to a cop was tough and many a spouse had gone looking for a more attentive alternate. She supposed Betty had had an affair. “I’m sorry, Officer. I shoulda thought better.” He extended his hand and she reluctantly shook his huge palm.
    “Will that do any good?” He nodded at the book.
    “I don’t know,” she answered. Then smiled wistfully. “Maybe.”
    “Back to work?” Sellitto asked.
    “Sure.” She wiped her eyes a final time and they returned to Rhyme’s living room.

GHOSTKILL
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    Easton, Long Island, Crime Scene
    • Two immigrants killed on beach; shot in back.
    • One immigrant wounded—Dr. John Sung.
    • “Bangshou” (assistant) on board; identity unknown.
         • Assistant confirmed as drowned body found near site where Dragon sank.
    • Ten immigrants escape: seven adults (one elderly, one injured woman), two children, one infant. Steal church van.
    • Blood samples sent to lab for typing.
         • Injured woman is AB negative. Requesting more information about her blood.
    • Vehicle awaiting Ghost on beach left without him. One shot believed fired by Ghost at vehicle. Request for vehicle make and model sent out, based on tread marks and wheelbase.
         • Vehicle is a BMW X5.
            • Driver—Jerry Tang.
    • No vehicles to pick up immigrants located.
    • Cell phone, presumably Ghost’s, sent for analysis to FBI.
         • Untraceable satellite secure phone. Hacked Chinese gov’t system to use it.
    • Ghost’s weapon is 7.62mm pistol. Unusual casing.
         • Model 51 Chinese automatic pistol.
    • Ghost is reported to have gov’t people on payroll.
    • Ghost stole red Honda sedan to escape. Vehicle locator request sent out.
         • No trace of Honda found.
    • Three bodies recovered at sea—two shot, one drowned. Photos and prints to Rhyme and Chinese police.
         • Drowned individual identified as Victor Au, the Ghost’s bangshou .
    • Fingerprints sent to AFIS.
         • No matches on any prints but unusual markings on Sam Chang’s fingers and thumbs (injury, rope burn?).
    • Profile of immigrants: Sam Chang and Wu Qichen and their families, John Sung, baby of woman who drowned, unidentified man and woman (killed on beach).
    Stolen Van, Chinatown
    • Camouflaged by immigrants with “The Home Store” logo.
    • Blood spatter suggests injured woman has hand, arm or shoulder injury.
    • Blood samples sent to lab for typing.
         • Injured woman is AB negative. Requesting more information about her blood.
    • Fingerprints sent to AFIS.
         • No matches.
    Jerry Tang Murder Crime Scene
    • Four men kicked door in and tortured him and shot him.
    • Two shell casings—match Model 51. Tang shot twice in head.
    • Extensive vandalism.
    • Some fingerprints.
         • No matches except Tang’s.
    • Three accomplices have smaller shoe size than Ghost, presumably smaller stature.
    • Trace suggests Ghost’s safehouse is probably downtown, Battery Park City area.
    • Suspected accomplices from Chinese ethnic minority. Presently pursuing whereabouts.
         • Uighurs from Turkestan Community and Islamic Center of Queens.
         • Cell phone calls lead to 805 Patrick Henry Street, downtown.
    Canal Street Shooting Crime Scene
    • Additional trace suggesting safehouse is in Battery Park City area.
    • Stolen Chevrolet Blazer, untraceable.
    • No match on