Out of Season — Michael Z. Lewin

Investigating a fake birth certificate leads Indianapolis PI Albert Samson to ask why a woman would abandon her only child
 
A short television spot about the life of the average private eye gives Albert Samson hope that his economic blues are about to disappear. Better yet, his newest case looks promising too. He's just been paid a hefty retainer by Paula Belter, who has discovered that her birth certificate is a fake. There's no record of her existence.
 
The trail leads to an unsolved murder and a highly publicized trial that dates back decades. But as Samson connects the dots, he doesn't end up with a pretty picture. As another murder sends the investigation spiraling out of control, the PI edges closer to the dangerous truth.