Chapter One
2nd Edition.
…Houston Police Department; Houston, Texas; USA. Present day…
Detective Escalante opened the door to Colonel Henry Jackson’s office after Col. Jackson gave out a, ‘Yeah!’ The head of Houston’s police force was seated behind his large, practical desk. His computer was obviously up and running and the police colonel had folders, files, and other paperwork strewn all in front of him, but there was one sheet of paper that Jackson was reading intently as Det. Escalante took a seat opposite of Colonel Jackson.
“Is there a new development with the case, Colonel,” Escalante asked with his brow deepened; wondering what the sixty-year-old man was reading with such interest!
Col. Jackson gave a mild grunt—more to himself than to Det. Escalante. “You had psychology when you went to college, right, Mike?”
Not understanding where the conversation was going, Michael played along. “Adolescent to Social Deviance among Pillars of Society-types…”
The detective was about to make a suggestion until Col. Jackson continued. “There’s a bit more, Mike...besides all the hard work you and your team have been doing, my office has other sources that suggest our suspect, here, might be doing all this stealing just to gain access to money for something much bigger! Like I said, Mike: recognition and power...”
Detective Escalante’s eyes widened with surprise. “So, you’re saying that these burglaries might be just a means to an end? That our suspect is using the stolen money for a larger, more ambitious plan?”
Colonel Jackson nodded gravely. “That’s what our sources indicate. It’s crucial that we dig deeper into this motive and uncover any potential connections or patterns.”
Detective Escalante leaned forward, his mind racing with possibilities. “If that’s the case, we should consider reaching out to other law enforcement agencies and sharing this information. It’s possible that this suspect’s activities extend beyond our jurisdiction.”
The colonel smiled approvingly. “Good thinking, Mike… You know, it’s kind of funny when you say, Extend beyond our jurisdiction.’ Sometimes, a department’s attitude and approach can be considered a jurisdiction, of sorts, Michael…”
The older man was obviously setting Escalante up for something!
“Because this suspect is a growing threat, and partially because—like so many other districts throughout the US, post-pandemic—our department is being stretched thin with an explosion of crime, HPD is going to contract a bit of help…Not just on this case, Micheal, but throughout our department, and throughout Texas, even…”
