Jim Frederick Dreichel

A key witness in a drug investigation is found dead after escaping from his court-mandated rehab program, and Backstrom must figure out how he escaped and who killed him. However, when the S.C.U. learns that the victim is member of a band and all his bandmates dislike him, they start to believe that the killer may be someone closer than they expected. Meanwhile, Backstrom has reason to believe that Valentine may be more than just his tenant.

Backstrom comes home to find Dante Trippi, Valentine’s abuser, murdered on his doorstep. Worried that Valentine could be next, the S.C.U.’s investigation leads Backstrom to a ring of counterfeit wine smugglers, a corrupt river patrol cop and a Club of Portland government official. Meanwhile, Valentine’s inability to tell the truth makes it harder for the team to catch the killer and Amy has a new boyfriend, of whom Backstrom is not fond.