Sam had so many questions, but she bit her tongue and forced herself to stay silent while hoping Avery had an actual plan here. She would’ve started by asking Danielle why she’d given her baby to the Hamiltons to raise.

“Mrs. Hamilton told us Josh was adopted during the time her husband worked in this office. Do you recall the Hamiltons adopting him?”

“I do. I remember that very well. Mrs. Hamilton was actually back in Virginia with her older children by the time Josh joined their family, but Troy was still here.”

“She also told us that the baby was actually yours. Is that true?”

Danielle’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open before snapping shut. “Mine?” she asked in a squeaky voice.

“That’s what she said. Is that true?”

“I... I’ve never been pregnant.” The statement led to more tears. “My husband and I, we wanted children. Very badly. But the Lord never saw fit to bless us in that way.”

“Was there another receptionist in the office at that time?”

“No, I was the only one.”

Avery glanced at Sam.

“What can you tell us about Director Hamilton’s relationship with his wife and with Deputy Director Jacoby during the time they were in Knoxville?” Sam asked.

“Troy and Dustin were best friends. They were inseparable. Courtney and Troy had their ups and downs as people do when they’re parents of young children.”

“What do you mean by ups and downs?” Sam asked.

“They... For a time they were separated, but they later patched things up.”

“Do you know why they separated?”

“I don’t. He didn’t talk about it, and I never asked.”

“How long were they separated?” Avery asked.

“About six months. Courtney took the children and went home to Virginia to be with her family while Troy stayed here.”

“Was this before or after they adopted Josh?”

“Before.”

“You seem fairly certain about a timeline that took place thirty years ago,” Sam said.

“I remember it vividly. It was a difficult time for Troy, being separated from his family that way. We all thought it was somewhat cruel of Courtney to take his children away from him for so long.”

“What role did this office play in helping to investigate the kidnapping of Taylor Rollings in Williamson County?” Avery asked.

She seemed stunned by the question.

“Mrs. Koch?” Avery asked. “Are you all right?”

“What does that have to do with Troy’s murder?” she asked softly.

“We aren’t sure. That’s why we’re asking.”

“We supported law enforcement in Williamson County. For weeks, every agent assigned to this office worked that case, but we never found any sign of that poor baby.”

“We’ve found him,” Avery said.

“What? Where? Where is he?”

“I have to say again that what I’m about to tell you is highly confidential. It’s critical that you refrain from telling anyone.”