Page 54 of Homicide in Water Creek

“I’ll let you get to that,” Maverick said, standing as an alert sounded from King’s laptop. An email had arrived.

King flicked his gaze to the screen for a moment. “Hang tight. This is my contact in St. Paul. The one running the facial recognition for me.”

Holding his breath, King clicked on the email, praying they’d finally get a lead on this guy. His heart rate climbed as he read his friend's message. “We’ve got him,” he finally said, downloading the attached PDF. “We’ve got him!”

Maverick pulled up a chair for Jacks, and they sat, waiting for him to open the PDF and read it to them. “They found him in the deceased law enforcement database.”

“What now?” Maverick asked, his tone as confused as King’s.

“His name is Jordan Colburn. He was a police officer in California.”

“It couldn’t have been a long career. He’s not that old,” Jacks said.

“He’s older than he looks. According to the report, he was 35 and died two years ago in a fiery car crash.”

“All evidence to the contrary,” Maverick muttered.

“His hands,” Jacks said. “That’s how they were burned.”

King read the rest of the report, then leaned back in his seat. “It says there was nothing left of the car, and the remains they found were burned beyond recognition. When dental records matched, they closed the case and buried him.”

“How could dental records match if he’s clearly not dead?” Jacks asked.

“In the digital age we’re in, it’s not difficult to forge dental records,” Maverick said.

“Or,” King added. “Pay someone off to say they match.”

“Do you think he’s working for someone with that kind of power?” Jacks asked, glancing between him and Maverick.

King held up his finger, then began to read. “At the time of his death, Officer Colburn was facing allegations of falsifying records and arrests. He was on administrative leave pending investigation.”

“He was a dirty cop,” Jacks said. “That makes sense. He gives off that vibe.”

“I wonder whether he was on someone else’s payroll at the same time he was on the Los Angeles Police Department’s payroll,” King said.

“Someone like Palatino Parenti?” Jacks asked, a question that raised King’s eyebrows.

“Does he have casinos in California?” King asked. “I thought he stuck to the Midwest.”

“There’s a big one in Vegas,” Maverick said. “It’s not a huge stretch to think he jumped to California.”

After tapping a few keys, King had his answer. “It may take more digging, but from what I can tell, he doesn’t have any casinos in California.”

“We don’t know for sure he’s working for Parenti either,” Jacks said.

“But it’s someplace to start, finally.” King heard the relief in his own voice as Maverick stood.

“I’ll leave you two to it while I go out on patrol. I’m going to add The Double J to my rounds to make sure everyone is behaving. Call me if something comes up.”

“Will do, Maverick. Thanks,” King called, getting a wave from Maverick as he grabbed his keys and headed out.

“He’s working for Parenti,” Jacks said firmly.

“But why?” King asked.

“We know Chinos is trying to obtain the financials for the ranch. It’s not a stretch to think Parenti is looking for a way to buy the land.”

“But that land isn’t for sale,” King reminded her through clenched teeth. “Ever.”