“Everything we speak of is confidential, understood?”

Dale nodded. “Been in this business since before you were born. I know how it works.”

Ignoring the sarcasm, Avery said, “We’re here about Director Hamilton’s murder. We understand you worked with him and Deputy Director Jacoby while they were in this office.”

“I did. That was a long time ago.”

“Thirty years, to be exact.”

“Sounds about right. We were heartbroken to hear of the director’s death and the deputy director’s disappearance. Is there any news about Dustin?”

“Not yet.”

“And the director’s son. Has he been found?”

“He has.”

“Is he a suspect in his father’s case?”

“Everyone is a suspect,” Sam said. “It’s a very active investigation.”

“What do you remember about Hamilton’s relationship with Jacoby or their time here in Knoxville?” Avery asked.

Dale blew out a deep breath. “Well, like you said, that was a long time ago. I’m sure Danielle mentioned there were some issues in Hamilton’s marriage while he was here. The Mrs. went home to Virginia with the kids for a while there. Troy was a disaster over it.”

“Do you remember anything specific about what he said or did in regard to his wife and the separation?”

“He was mad as hell,” Dale said. “I remember that. We all gave him a wide berth after she left.”

Avery took notes as Dale spoke. “How long was he wound up? Days, weeks, months?”

“Long time.” Dale looked to Danielle for confirmation, and she nodded. “Months. Really let himself go to hell in a handbasket too. Stopped shaving, stopped sleeping, started drinking. We covered for him with D.C.—remember, Danielle?”

“Yes, I do. We filed reports for him that he didn’t even know about. Things like that. We protected him.”

“Where was Jacoby in all of this?” Sam asked. “Did he help to protect Hamilton too?”

They both took a second to think about that.

“I don’t remember him being part of us protecting Troy,” Dale said. “They’d had some sort of falling-out over something. Never did know what. Just that they weren’t close like they once were. Jacoby kept his distance from Troy, if I recall correctly.”

“That’s what I remember too,” Danielle said. “It was very tense around here with the two of them circling each other like a couple of rabid dogs.”

“Did you ever think there was a connection between the falling-out Hamilton had with Jacoby and the one he had with his wife?” Avery asked before Sam could.

“Ahhh, no,” Dale said. “That never occurred to me.”

“Me either,” Danielle said, seeming intrigued by the suggestion.

“Can you tell us where the Hamiltons lived when they were here?”

“Their place was over in Lake Ridge, wasn’t it, Dani?”

She nodded in agreement. “I babysat for the older kids a couple of times. Before they had Josh.”