“But it adds weight. Max doesn’t have that burden. I don’t have that burden, at least not like you do. She’s on to something here, and you would not have had this information if she didn’t come here and open herself up like this. I told her when we first started working together not to tell me anything that would mean I had to keep a secret from you, because I won’t do that. But I couldn’t help her if she kept all this from me—and I can help. I’m running a deep background on Harrison Monroe as we speak. But neither of us have access to the Albright case. Max is willing to turn over all the research in this case—everything I’ve done and she’s done.”

“But she won’t walk away.”

“Would you?”

“That’s different.”

“If you weren’t a federal agent and you uncovered something big—a potential conspiracy—would you just turn it over to the police and walk away?”

“I can’t answer that, because I am a federal agent.”

“I think if you talk to Max about the Albright case she might have more information that she doesn’t realize is important, plus a unique insight.”

“You’re forgetting that the Victoria Mills murder is an active police investigation. I can’t get involved.”

“You’re not. But if you solve the Albright murders, I think you’ll also solve the Mills murder. And like you said, a little boy’s life is on the line. No one wants Ricky Albright to stay in hiding his entire life. What he must have been going through the last three years. If he’s alive, he deserves a life free from fear, free from running, right?”

Sean was taking Max’s side over hers. She rubbed her eyes. Sean was right. There really wasn’t a side in this situation. But what happened when Max crossed the line—which historically she was prone to doing—and it cost them a conviction?

As if sensing her indecision, Sean said, “Remember when we were looking for my cousin in New York, before you were an FBI agent, before you were even in the academy, and Suzanne brought you into the investigation because you had a unique insight into the situation? She didn’t want to. Noah vouched for you, and she trusted Noah. You helped solve a major case, even though you weren’t a cop. And before you went through the academy, that DC cop partnered with you to solve the murder of two prostitutes. Because you had insight and you wanted to help. I’m telling you, Max has insight and access right now, and I think she can be an asset.”