“Terry O’Connor doesn’t remember you. He was so drunk he couldn’t even offer a description of the woman he said he’d been with. I’m sorry if that hurts you, but it’s the truth. So the only two people who know he was with you are in this room. I know what I’m going to do with the info. What you do with it is up to you.”

Overcome, Andrea bent her head. “I’ve never been unfaithful to my husband before. In nineteen years, I’ve never so much as looked at another man. But he travels a lot, and we’ve drifted apart in the last couple of years. I was lonely.”

“I understand that feeling—better than you can imagine.” Sam raised her fingers to cover bruises on her throat that were starting to hurt. “But if you love your husband and want to make your marriage work, stay out of the bars, go home and fix it. You’re lucky this was the worst thing that happened.”

“Believe me, I know.” She stood and offered her hand. “Thank you.”

Sam held Andrea’s hand between both of hers. “Thank you for coming in. You did the right thing. I had him ninety-nine percent eliminated. You just gave me the one percent I still needed.”

“In that case, I guess it was worth it.”

“Good luck to you, Mrs. Daly.”

“And to you, Sergeant. Senator O’Connor was a good man. I hope you find the person who did this to him.”

“Oh, I will. You can count on that.” Sam stood at her doorway and watched Andrea leave.

“What was that all about?” Freddie asked.

“Terry O’Connor’s alibi.”

Freddie’s eyes lit up. “No shit?”

“Nope.”

“Did you get an official statement?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Because I had nothing to gain, and she had everything to lose. She gave me what I needed. That was enough.”

“I continue to be awed not just by your instincts but by your humanity.”

“Fuck off, Cruz,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Did you get Peter put on ice?”

“Yep. Sent the EMTs down to take a look at his busted schnoz. He’s screaming police brutality.”

“Self-defense.” The fact she had taunted Peter into attacking her wouldn’t matter to the U.S. Attorney in light of the evidence they had implicating him in the bombings.

“Damn straight it was.”

“What’re you hearing from Gonzo and Arnold?”

“Natalie’s mother told them she’s in seclusion and couldn’t come to the door. They didn’t push it because all you wanted was confirmation that she was there, and they saw her looking out an upstairs window. Noel spent the day working in his yard and washing his car. No sign of her at the house. Gonzo just took him in for the polygraph.”

“Let’s set one up for her for tomorrow, after the funeral.”

“Got it.”