“HANNI IS IN THE CLEAR,” Jacobi said, standing over us, casting a shadow across our desks. “He was working the scene of a meth lab explosion the night of the Meacham fire. He said he told you.”

  I remembered.

  He’d told us that the Meacham fire had been his second job that night.

  “I’ve spoken to five people who were at that meth scene who swear Chuck was there until he got the call about the Meachams,” said Jacobi. “And I’ve confirmed that Matt Waters is doing life for the deaths of the Christiansens.”

  Conklin sighed.

  “Both of you,” said Jacobi. “Move on. Find out what the victims have in common. Boxer - McNeil and Chi are reporting to you. So make use of them. Concentrate on the Malones and the Meachams. Those are ours. Here’s the name of the primary working the Chus’ case in Monterey. Conklin, you might want to smooth things over with Hanni. He’s still working these cases.”

  I was looking at Rich as Jacobi stumped back to his office.

  Conklin said, “What? I have to ............