"Well if that wasn't a prime example of somebody getting to where they are with a mail-order diploma, I don't know what…", Steve sighed in frustration, as they left the two-story city building in Lucerne behind.

The wind had died down a little bit over the noon hour and the sun was fighting its way through the few remaining clouds in the sky. With the mild temperatures, it was hard to believe that Christmas was just a few days ago.

"Worse yet. I think he's so used to lying, he's starting to believe his own lies. I didn't see any signs of sweating or rapid breathing. His hand was shaking a bit but that was it. You?"

"Nah, I didn't notice anything either."

They got back into the Galaxy, overlooking the near empty parking lot ahead. Taking off his fedora and resting it on the dashboard, Mike grimaced, as if something was still bothering him.

"See, I don't get it. Even if he's part of this whole organ trading thing…why? Why take the risks in that line of business?"

"Money. You always say it's a great motivator for many."

"Yeah, but he drives an old rusty truck. It's a small enough town, somebody would eventually find out about things. Everybody seems to know everybody."

Pointing at the dilapidated red Chevy pickup parked along the City building as they drove off; Mike shook his head decisively. Steve on the other hand didn't seem as convinced, as he got back onto the main road, heading north into town to look for a quick lunch stop.

"He could have it stashed away in a vault somewhere in the woods, Mike. Or under a mattress. I am telling you he isn't straight with us."

He'd let his partner's words sit there for several long moments, glancing out the windshield to take in the quietness of the small town nestled between Clear Lake in the west and the Mendocino National forest off in the east. And yet, despite the serenity, it was quickly becoming clear that there were more sinister things going on beneath the placid surface.

"True. Let's run a check on him, see if there's anything that ties him to our case. I'll give the office a call and have R&I start on that."

"There's something else you might want to have them check into."

Steve's voice had changed, grown more troubled, his jaws clenched beneath the two-day stubble as he backed the Galaxy into a parallel parking spot near a payphone with astounding precision.

"What's that?"

"When I looked over the pictures on his wall, I noticed one of him next to a tow truck. One of those Angel towing company trucks the guys talked about."

Mike turned around to face his partner, noting that Steve's green eyes were busy, almost anxious, like a hunting dog on point.

"So what? We can't use that against him. He could claim he was just posing in front of one."

"No…nononono. Mike, he wasn't posing. He was wearing the towing company's uniform."