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He shook his head and looked away. “I don’t want to talk about me. Too frustrated right now. The body?”
“Homicide. It appears the victim was executed. He also appeared to have been bitten by a dog.”
“What?”
Danni explained about the scene and Jasper Hobbs.
“Are you sure it’s the same guy?”
“I heard the name Hobbs several times, and we found a booking photo. It’s him. He set a dumpster on fire during the early rioting. Booked and then released without any charges being filed.”
“Why would they execute him?”
“Don’t know. It’s possible he was dead when they shot him.”
“He died elsewhere.”
“Yep, and we have no idea where. Just a small entry wound. The last thing they said the day they chased me was that they were taking him to the hospital. They didn’t take him anywhere locally.”
Gabe sipped his coffee, a pensive look on his face. Danni knew he had something on his mind.
“You have a theory?”
“No, not really.” He smiled. “I was just thinking it’s a good thing you decided not to quit. You’re a good investigator. I’m glad you’re staying.”
Danni felt the warmth in his tone and gaze. She choked out, “Thanks.” Nervousness attacked like a snake. She returned to the business at hand. There was safety there. “There were three guys who chased me into the flood control. Now two of the three are identified. I sure would like to ID number three.”
“Interesting. Moore was with two guys the day we had our confrontation in the alley. One of them had some noticeable neck tats. It’s possible Hobbs was the other guy.”
“The other two weren’t arrested?”
“No. They beat feet when I arrested Moore.”
“I saw Moore—at least I think it was him—behind the station when we found the body. Possibly agitating the crowd.”
“I knew he was bad news. I wish I could have booked him and forced him to go to court.”
“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”
Gabe laughed. “I heard your dad say that now and again.”
Danni glanced at the time. “I’ve got interviews to plan. HoffmanJr. and Ellis, both on Monday. Do you have any insight where I should focus?”
“Concentrate on Junior. Ellis is out in the open with his hate and mistrust of the police. Hoffman, to me, is a bigger danger because he’s sneaky.”
“How do you mean?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Junior is somehow involved with the troublemakers.”
Danni raised her eyebrow. “Why? What could he possibly get out of it?”
“I think he just wants to use LaRosa as his personal petri dish. He’s said for years police work should be done differently. There was an editorial this morning about the sheriff taking over and the PD being disbanded.”
“They are trying to breathe new life into an old threat.”
“And succeeding.”
“You really think so?”
