The Cold Moon (Lincoln Rhyme 7)

* Not much drugs missing, only 6 or 7 oz. of pot, 4 of coke.

* Unusually few organized crime cases at the 118th Precinct but no evidence of intentional stalling by officers.

* Two gangs in the East Village possible but not likely suspects.

* Interview with Jordan Kessler, Creeley's partner, and follow-up with wife.

* Confirmed no obvious drug use.

* Didn't appear to associate with criminals.

* Drinking more than usual, taken up gambling; trips to Vegas and Atlantic City. Losses were large, but not significant to Creeley.

* Not clear why he was depressed.

* Kessler didn't recognize burned records.

* Awaiting list of clients.

* Kessler doesn't appear to gain by Creeley's death.

* Sachs and Pulaski followed by AMG Mercedes.

FRANK SARKOWSKI HOMICIDE

* * *

* Sarkowski was 57 years old, no police record, murdered on November 4 of this year, survived by wife and two teenage children.

* Victim owned building and business in Manhattan. Business was doing maintenance for other companies and utilities.

* Art Snyder was case detective.

* No suspects.

* Murder/robbery?

* Business deal went bad?

* Killed in Queens--not sure why he was

there.

* File and evidence missing.

* No known connection with Creeley.

* No criminal record--Sarkowski or company.

Chapter 15

The bungalow was in Long Island City, that portion of Queens just over the East River from Manhattan and Roosevelt Island.

Christmas decorations--plenty of them--were perfectly arranged in the yard, the sidewalk perfectly cleared of ice and snow, the Camry in the driveway perfectly clean, despite the recent snow. Window frames were being scraped for a new coat of paint, and a stack of bricks sat destined for a new path or patio.

This was the house of a man with newly acquired free time.

Amelia Sachs hit the doorbell.