“They wanted Stanley Grant dead. Maybe because he reneged on his agreement. Maybe because he knows something about the bad guys that they don’t want the police to know. The detectives were going to have to look at Victoria’s murder again to prepare for trial, and maybe their case would fall apart. They didn’t need a solid case when he pled. And I’ve been thinking about this on the drive up to Fredericksburg—Grant must have known enough details about the murder to be convincing. Which makes me think either he was there during or after the fact or the killer gave him specific information.”

“Or he killed her. Consider that someone close to the victim might not have been happy with his plea change.”

She had, especially after seeing Simon in the court this morning. “I’ve been leaning against his guilt ever since Sean learned that funds he allegedly embezzled weren’t stolen until four days after Victoria’s murder, yet that was his claimed motive—that Victoria found out about the embezzlement and he killed her in the heat of an argument.”

“Are you sure?” Ryan sounded surprised.

“Sean is, and he’s pretty good at deciphering these things.”

“It should be fairly easy to trace.”

“Maybe for a federal agent who has a warrant, but Sean is a private investigator without complete access.”

“Hmm.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Nothing. This is a local case, and my ASAC would have my hide if I got involved. But—unofficially, if Sean wants to talk, he can call me anytime. I know some legal ways to get around some of the legal roadblocks, so to speak. And I worked out of the Dallas office years ago. I might still have some friends there.”

Ryan was the SSA of a white collar crimes unit in New York, promoted last spring after he solved a decade-old art theft and recovered a priceless painting.

“I need to go, I’m already late for my meeting with Grover Mills.”

“Call me when you get back to the hotel.”

“It might be late.”

“Call me.”

“Okay.”

“I love you, Ms. Revere. Be safe.”

“I promise, Agent Maguire.”

She ended the call and smiled at nothing in particular. Her headache had slowly dissipated during her conversation with Ryan. What did that mean? Maybe just hearing his voice … she hadn’t thought much about home, Ryan, or Eve today, but last night they were on her mind … and she suspected they’d be on her mind as she lay awake in her hotel bed tonight.

She walked up to the house. Grover was already on the porch, watching her.

“As beautiful as ever, Maxine,” he said with a sad smile.

She gave him a hug. “It is good to see you, Grover. I wish it was under better circumstances.”