The Executioner

Hundred and Nine

‘Motherfucker! He lied to us,’ Garcia whispered, staring at the picture Hopkins had showed them.

‘I asked you to run a check on him. Did you find anything out?’ Hunter asked Hopkins.

The officer nodded, searching his folder. ‘Unlike Brett, James Reed was an exemplary everything – student, citizen, you name it. He maintained a 4.0 average all throughout high school and graduated with honors in ’87. He didn’t lose any time either, starting university the same year – UCLA. Two majors, mathematics and physics, and again his grades were outstanding. He got involved with computer software design right after university and for several years worked for a games company right here in LA named Konami. They’re one of the big boys. He made a lot of money using his math and physics knowledge to develop ‘shoot ’em up’ game engines. His mother, who used to be Father Fabian’s algebra 2 teacher in Compton High, fell ill about three years ago, and that’s when he quit the company.’ He looked at Hunter. ‘You asked me to also check where he lived when young. Guess what?’ He smiled. ‘When he was in high school, they used to live just a few houses from our young priest.’

‘And that’s why Elder has highlighted him. If they lived on the same street as Brett, Strutter’s gang must’ve picked on him no end.’

‘Funny how he failed to mention that when we talked to him yesterday,’ Garcia commented with irritation. ‘I think we should pay him a less cordial visit this time.’

‘You were right on the money again when you suggested I check everything about him, including who his neighbors were and if they had kids the same age,’ Hopkins said, nodding at Hunter. ‘I would’ve never thought of that.’

‘What did you get?’

‘One of their neighbors had two kids, a boy and a girl, both around James Reed’s age. Neither of them went to Compton or Gardena High. They went to Centennial High on North Central Avenue. The boy’s called Keyon Powell. He’s now a doctor and lives in Colorado, but his sister, Kelly Powell, now Kelly Sanchez, is an attorney at law and lives in Santa Monica with her husband and two children.’ Hopkins handed Hunter his sheet.

He studied it for a moment before checking his watch.

‘Maybe we should talk to her first – like now.’

‘Sounds good to me,’ Garcia said, reaching for his jacket.