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Back 3 a.m.
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  67. 3:46 a.m.

“She videotaped it. Came to me the next day and demanded a hundred thousand dollars.”

My eyebrows rise.

“I paid her. She disappeared the next day.”

“You paid her?”

“If that video got out I would have been ruined. Paid her a hundred thousand dollars cash and she took it with a smile and disappeared. Didn't hear a peep from her for six years. Then I got an email a month ago. She was back and she wanted more money.”

“Did you give it to her?”

“I did. Two weeks ago.”

I study his face. I find myself believing him. But that he was being blackmailed by Callie/Jessica didn't mean that he didn't kill her. In fact, it gave him motive.

“I know what you're thinking, even a better reason to kill her. And don't think it didn't cross my mind. But she'd gone away for six years the first time I paid her. I had little doubt she would disappear for another six, whereby if she ever came back to the well, I would have served out my presidency and I could deal with the fallout if the tape came out.”

“Okay, so say I believe you. What happened that night? And start from the beginning, like how you got out of the White House and into a Ford Focus.”

“You know that was the first time I'd driven in nearly three years. Man, it felt good!” He laughs.

I don't react. I'm still sitting next to a killer. And I don't give a shit when the last time he drove a car was.

He straightens.

“I told my guys I wanted to go for a drive and that I didn't want any record of it. Red, the guy that tased you, heads up my detail. He made it happen, but he insisted he come with me. Snuck me out, got me into that car, and we drove. We went five miles, then I pulled over and told him to get out. Some SS might not have gotten out of the car, but Red and I go back to college. We'd played ball together for two years. Like brothers. He got out. I told him I'd pick him up in an hour. Drove down to the address that Jessica – I had no idea she was calling herself Callie now – had given me, and went inside.

“I gave her the money, two hundred grand this time, and she took it. She tried to kiss me and I pushed her away. That's when she started screaming. I covered her mouth and told her to shut up, then I ran out.”

“What about your phone?”