Knox just stared at him.

Finally Alex broke the silence. “I don’t know what to tell you, Agent Knox.”

“The truth would be helpful.”

The migraine started in the center of Alex’s forehead. “I’m telling you the truth.”

Knox looked down and shook his head slowly. When he glanced back up his features were sad. “You aiming to scuttle your career over this guy, Ford?”

“I know him as Oliver Stone. That’s it.”

“You know his buddies. Reuben Rhodes and Caleb Shaw?”

“Yes. They’re my friends too.”

“And one recently died.” Knox looked at a little notebook he held. “Milton Farb. Killed in his house over six months ago.”

“That’s right. We were all really upset about that.”

“I’m sure. Police never solved the crime?”

“That’s right, they didn’t.”

“And you were also working with the feds on nailing the casino king Jerry Bagger. Only he ended up blown to pieces in the Potomac River.”

“I almost ended up there myself.”

“You’re a busy man. And your friend too, what did you call her, Susan Hunter?”

“I called her that because it’s her name. And that’s right, she was there too.”

“And how did you get involved with a guy like Bagger? Through the lady?”

“It’s pretty complicated and I’m not at liberty to divulge what happened. But the FBI can probably fill you in. And really I was just helping out a friend again.”

“Man, you got lots of friends.”

“Better than lots of enemies,” Alex shot back.

“Oh, I think you got a few of those too.” Knox rose and handed Alex a card. “You think about any more bullshit you want to tell me, give me a buzz. Meantime, I’ll check everything you just told me out seven ways from Sunday. And just to show my good faith, I’ll give you a two-minute heads-up before they serve you with the arrest warrant for obstruction of justice. How’s that sound, Ford? You have a good one now.” Knox walked off.

Alex just sat there on the bench because his legs, at that moment, didn’t have the strength to support his body.

Thanks, Oliver, Thanks a lot.

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

KNOX’S NEXT STOP was the Library of Congress’ Rare Book Reading Room where he found Caleb Shaw placing some priceless tomes on a rolling cart. Five minutes later they were sitting in the same small room where Caleb had been interrogated by casino owner Jerry Bagger. On seeing Knox’s credentials Caleb said coolly, “And you want to see me about what?”

“Your friend, Oliver Stone?”

“You call him a friend. I call him an acquaintance.”

“That’s just semantics.”

“I’m a librarian. Semantics are my life. Besides, I haven’t seen him in a long time. I’m afraid I don’t know anything that could help you.”

“Well, sometimes people know more than they think.”