“Gotta be. I know how much he makes, and those two big deposits are like more than half a year’s salary for him. And there’s another cash deposit every month for a thousand. Never more than that, always a thousand.”

“It’s a retainer fee for his unique services.”

“Ugh. And to think I thought he was cute.”

“Corrupt cops can be cute, too.”

“So what now?”

“Now I’m going to go have a little talk with the fine detective.”

“I’m coming with.”

I glanced at my father, who still had his eyes closed. “No. I need you to tear this guy’s life apart. I want to know everything about him starting from the time he was born.”

“Will can do all that. I’d rather be there when you confront Howard.”

“I know, and you’ll get your shot at him, but for now I need you guys to dig up anything else you can. And maybe put in a heads-up to the police department over in Hurricane that we may need a couple of their guys down here to make an arrest soon because of a conflict of interest. I’m not sure who we can trust out here to slap cuffs on one of their own.”

“All right, I’ll see you at the office, then.” She hesitated. “Be careful.”

“Hey, careful’s my middle name.”

Vail told me that Howard’s shift didn’t start until noon, so I managed to get his home address under the guise of needing to talk to him because he wasn’t answering his phone.

Detective Howard lived in a large house surrounded by several acres of property. I had to drive up a dirt road to get there, and there were no other homes nearby. It was on the outskirts of town, in the space between River Falls and Glassdale, away from everything. He had a barn near the main house and a garage with several cars, including a Corvette and an expensive Dodge truck.

I took my phone out of my pocket and turned on the audio recording app, then slipped the phone into the breast pocket of my shirt. As I got out of the car, Will pulled up in his truck.

“Heard you could use a hand,” he said, stepping out.

“I told Jia—”

“I know, but you gotta be nuts if you think we would’ve let you walk in there and confront Howard by yourself. He hates your guts. You need someone there to calm things down if they escalate.”

Didn’t sound like there was going to be much debate, so I said, “Just don’t say anything. I need him to make admissions, and the slightest hint that we’re looking into him could cause him to lawyer up.”

“Lips shut, I think I can manage that.”