Motive: Chronology of Pain

SYNOPSIS

The victim: Judge Natalie Rodman, one of Angie's old law professors and someone who was instrumental in her changing her life around and getting into police work. The killer: Lexi Moore, one of Judge Rodman's new law clerks. The case, which starts off as an arson call at Judge Rodman and her writer husband Brent Rodman's house, has Angie as acting Staff Sergeant with Oscar's retirement, Brian trying to avoid Sergeant Saunders who wants to speak to him, and both Angie and Brian being reunited with a now more mature face from their professional past. The arson in question was an exploding barbecue, which the arson detectives discover was a purposefully set "bomb" of sorts in the form of three hidden butane tanks planted inside the barbecue which would explode when ignited. The Rodmans believe that if it was indeed a murder attempt, Judge Rodman was the target as the known chef between the two of them, and as she probably has many enemies that have come before her in her court. Eventually, Judge Rodman dies from the internal injuries suffered from the barbecue explosion, those injuries which were not evident on the surface and which were irrevocable in that medical attention would not have saved her. After Judge Rodman's death, Angie is certain that she was not being totally forthright in the post-explosion interview. Angie will learn why when she begins to uncover some unsavory issues from the Judge's past. Angie and Brian also uncover Judge Rodman's ties to a young offenders boot camp called Nature Bound, which they believe is integral to discovering the murderer and motive. As they get close to concluding the case, Angie contemplates a first in her life as a detective, and Brian makes a decision with regard to Sergeant Saunders' want to talk to him.