Matt sank into a chair. “Alex said something about that address made her itch. The property is outside the city of Sacramento, so it’s likely it’s not job related. Is there anything we can do to get a warrant?”
Dean shook his head. “I’ll work on it. Huang gave us a lot of good information, and he’s documented everything. He has files in both his home and office. He didn’t do it because he was suspicious, but because he wanted to make sure he had records of everything he’d done. Goodman, apparently, was big on integrity, and Huang learned everything from him. But Huang isn’t going to be a good informant. He has no poker face. I suggested that he resign—he’s had two job offers since Hart announced for Governor, and it shouldn’t raise any flags if he takes one of them. I have a man watching him until this settles down.” Dean ran a hand over his face. “Matt, we have a lot of loose connections, but we don’t have a case. I bring this to the AUSA and she’ll laugh me out of her office. I need to follow through on what Huang gave us, and more important, try to get someone into Hart’s campaign. Like Alex. She might be the only way we can catch him.”
Dean was right. Matt wouldn’t prosecute this case based on what he had. They were circling around the answers, they just didn’t have enough facts.
“If everything Huang gave me this morning is verifiable, I think I can press Hart,” Dean said. “But because he used to be a prosecutor, I don’t know that he’ll blink. He’s not going to be stupid enough to leave anything incriminating in his office, and I don’t have a strong enough case – yet – to get a warrant for his house or campaign. If I can connect the shooter to Rykov, then maybe I can use that as leverage.”
“Why would Rykov want Huang dead? What does he know that is dangerous to the Russian mob?” Matt couldn’t figure out why Hart would take such a big risk.
“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t think he knows anything ... except about the Star Consulting bid that slipped in under Hart’s watch. Definite shenanigans there, but one bad bid isn’t going to stop Hart. Everything Huang shared had to do with how Hart ran his office and how he worked the bids. I have several avenues to pursue—but it’s grunt work. It’s not going to happen fast.”
“I can’t think of any reason Rykov would take out Huang. But I can think of reasons Hart would want him gone.”
“You’re insane. Why on earth would Hart kill his own staffer? And in public no less? There are easier ways to get rid of someone.”
“Maybe, but no one would look at Huang as the target,” Matt said, warming to this theory. “They would assume Hart was the intended victim. The shooter kills himself, no one knows why, Hart can say anything—he’s tough on crime, the gangs want him dead. Whatever the hell he wants.”
Dean considered. “Hart fed Alex a line last night about Huang having suspicious friends, but we haven’t found anything to suggest that. Still, Matt, you’re stretching. More likely Rykov was concerned that Huang knew something that would come back on him. And we still don’t know what’s in this relationship for Hart. I’ve gone over Hart’s financials and they’re in line with his job and investments.”
“Go over them again,” Matt said. He sounded desperate.
Dean said, “Matt, I was the Assistant FBI Director in charge of White Collar crimes for six years before I married Sonia and stayed in Sacramento. I know what to look for, and it’s not in his financials.”
Matt squeezed the bridge of his nose. “I’m just worried.”
“You know this is how cases are built. I’m going to get him, even if I have to go head-to-head with my boss over the resources I’m spending on this investigation.”
“Why the change from yesterday?”
“Because we have an inside person now, if Alex takes the job with Hart. That changes everything.”
It did, but Matt didn’t like it. “There are too many individuals who could be involved. If anyone is suspicious of Alex’s motivation, she’ll be in danger.”
“I’m working on that. I have a friend inside the CHP who can get assigned to Hart’s detail and keep an eye on her.”
“Good.” He hesitated. “I feel like we’re missing something. And maybe it’s not money. Maybe it’s not a financially beneficial relationship between Rykov and Hart. How did they team up anyway? They have no past connection. When did it start? Was Cordell the only cop on his payroll? Probably not ... which brings me to Jim Perry.”
“Detective Perry? Alex’s ex-boyfriend?”
“I pulled his personnel file.”
“Matt—”
“It’s not illegal. There’s nothing that stands out in his record. A couple reprimands, all pretty typical. Except one thing—he graduated from Rio Americano high school twenty-one years ago.”
Dean’s eyes widened, then he frowned. “So he and Sergei Rykov were in high school together. That’s not proof of conspiracy or corruption.” But his expression said he was interested.
“It’s one more a connection.” Matt glanced at his watch. “What time did Alex say she’d be here? It’s after one.”