WITH CHIEF FARNSWORTH, Avery Hill and AUSA Hope Dobson observing from the next room, Sam and Malone stepped into the interrogation room where Courtney Hamilton sat at the table with an older man with gray hair. He was the picture of a distinguished esquire, right down to the aura of self-importance he projected—and that was before he opened his mouth and confirmed he was a pompous ass.

“Mrs. Hamilton has agreed to speak willingly, and we fully expect that her cooperation will be taken into consideration.”

“That, of course, depends on what she wants to talk about,” Sam said with a big, friendly smile that resulted in a nasty scowl from his royal highness. “And I didn’t catch your name.”

“It’s John Tillinghast Esquire.” He put a business card in front of her and another in front of Malone. They ignored the cards.

“Any relation to Brad Tillinghast? Lobbyist who got into a little scrape with the law last year.”

“He’s my nephew,” John said tightly, as if he’d tasted something rancid. “And as you well know, he was never charged with anything.”

“Cavorting with prostitutes and ‘appetites’ his wife found offensive,” Sam said with a cluck of disapproval that made John’s face turn bright red. “That was some nasty business. Is he still married?”

“How is that relevant to the business before us?”

“Oh,” Sam said, full of innocence, “I thought we were still in the get-to-know you stage of the interview. My apologies. Please proceed.”

“I see your reputation is well earned,” he said in a low growl.

“That’s so nice of you to say.”

Malone coughed to cover a laugh, and Sam decided this was going to be a very good day.

“My client would like to cooperate in your investigation.”

Sam leaned in, elbows on the table, rapt attention. “In what way?”

“She has information about Dustin Jacoby that she believes will be relevant and helpful.”

“We’re listening.”

“First, we’d like to know what accommodations will be made to protect her.”

“From what?” Sam asked, genuinely baffled.

“Prosecution, for one thing.”

“Has she committed any crimes?”

“Her actions would probably put her firmly in the area of accessory.”

“To murder? To kidnapping? Or the always-popular option C, all of the above?”

“Both,” he said, scowling again. “But without her, you’ll never get Jacoby on either of those things.”

“Like I said, we’re listening.”

“Like I said, what’re you offering?”

“Depends on what she has to say.”

“I don’t operate that way. I want guarantees.”