“Yes,” Devon said. “In recent years when Julian’s name came up, she was fond of quoting Leviticus who preached that it’s an ‘abomination’ punishable by death for men to have sex with other men the way they would with women.”

“Do either of you believe that?” Jeannie asked.

“We came of age in a different time,” Austin said. “A more tolerant time.”

“So that’s a no?” Jeannie asked.

“That’s a no,” Austin replied. “We loved our uncle and supported him the same way he supported us.”

“But you did that behind your mother’s back,” Sam said.

“We love them both,” Devon said. “We were in an awkward position. Our goal was to keep the peace. It was better that she didn’t know.”

“Can you think of anyone who might want to harm him? Any enemies or rivals?”

Devon shook his head. “We’ve been wracking our brains trying to think of who could’ve done this to him. He had strong opinions and ideals, but he had respect for other people’s beliefs, too. That kept him from attracting a lot of overt enemies.”

Unlike your mother, Sam thought, who has no respect for others’ beliefs and has attracted an army of enemies.

“You said he was nervous about the hearings,” Jeannie said, “but did he express any worries about his safety or the controversy surrounding his nomination?”

“Not about his safety so much,” Austin said.

“He’d declined Secret Service protection,” Devon added.

“It was offered?”

Devon nodded. “He had some reservations about the protestors. He was afraid they’d be disruptive, but I’m sure he never suspected someone would want to kill him.”

“Where were you both the night before last?” Sam asked.

“We’re suspects?” Devon asked.

“We need to rule you out,” Sam said.

Austin sat up a little straighter at the talk of alibis. “I was with my girlfriend at her place.”

“We’ll need her name and number.” Sam turned to Devon. “And you?”

“I was here.”

“Alone?”

“Most of the night. My roommate got home from work around one. He’s a waiter.”

“And did you see him? Talk to him?”

Devon’s eyes darted to his brother. “Yes.”

Sam’s radar went on alert. “Is there something else, Mr. Sinclair? If so, this would be the time to tell us.”

Devon’s entire body went rigid with tension.

“Tell them, Dev,” Austin said softly.

“Shut up,” Devon snapped. “It’s got no bearing on what happened to Julian.”

“Mr. Sinclair, anything you tell us will remain confidential unless it directly affects the case.”

“We’ve told you everything we know,” Devon said, sounding more desperate.

Sam stared him down. “Except?”

Devon glared at his brother. “My roommate, Tucker. He’s my…We’re involved.”

“And I take it your parents are unaware of this?”

“Yes,” Devon said through gritted teeth. “And so are his. We’d like to keep it that way.”