“Occasionally, but nothing more than an off-hand comment or two. She respects me too much to throw him in my face. My wife and I are happily married, and none of our former relationships factor into our marriage.”

“Did you ever meet the senator?”

“A few times. I’m active in the Virginia Democratic Party, and obviously he was as well.”

“Did you like him?”

“I didn’t dislike him, but neither would I say we were anything more than casual acquaintances. So he dated my wife? Big deal. She’s a beautiful woman who had several relationships before me. I don’t expect that her life—or mine—began the day we met. Although,” he said, softening, “in many ways, mine did begin with her.”

“Can you confirm your whereabouts on the night of the murder? Tuesday between ten p.m. and seven a.m.?”

He consulted a brown leather book. “On Tuesday evening we attended the annual Christmas fund-raiser/silent auction for the Capital Region Big Brothers and Big Sisters here in the city. We were home by ten, in bed by ten-thirty. We made love and went to sleep. Is that enough information?”

“Has your wife ever mentioned anything about her relationship with the senator that made her uncomfortable?”

For the first time, Jordan’s cool composure wavered. “Uncomfortable in what way?”

“Any way.”

“No, but like I said, we’ve never felt the need to share the intimate details of our past relationships.”

When Sam stood up, Freddie followed her lead. “I know you had plans to be out of town for the holidays,” she said, “but you’ll need to remain in the area.”

“I’m due to leave for Europe on the third of January. Work-related travel.”

“Hopefully by then we’ll have cleared this up. Until we do, you and your wife are required to stay local.”

“Thoughts?” she asked Freddie after they had reclaimed their weapons. Relieved to have her gun back, Sam slid hers into her hip harness.

“First, he knew we were coming. Had that appointment book nice and handy.”

“No doubt the wife tipped him. But guess what? He lied about one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“The Big Brothers/Big Sisters thing?”

Freddie nodded.

“That was last Tuesday. I know because I was there.”

Freddie released a low whistle.

“It doesn’t mean one of them killed the senator, though. It only means there’s something he doesn’t want us to know or his date book is messed up. We still can’t place either of them at the Watergate.”

“So we file this tidbit away and continue to work the case?”

“Exactly. The thing between the senator and Natalie was over years ago. Where’s the motive?”

“True,” Freddie said.