“I have.” She saw no need to suck someone else off real police work when she was more than capable of defending herself.

“And you’re aware of why you’re here today?”

“You believe I exercised poor judgment in becoming romantically involved with Nicholas Cappuano during the O’Connor investigation.”

Stahl stared at her. Clearly, he hadn’t expected her to be so forthcoming. “That’s correct,” he stammered.

Sam noticed that Captain Malone had a hand over his mouth as if trying to hide a smile.

Stahl cleared his throat. “And to that you say?”

“I can’t deny that I become close to Mr. Cappuano during the investigation, or that he was enormously helpful to me and Detective Cruz as we worked to close that case,” Sam said, thrilled to realize she was ruffling Stahl.

“Did you know Mr. Cappuano before the O’Connor investigation?”

Ignoring the grind in her stomach, Sam said, “Yes.”

“Please elaborate.”

“We met six years ago at a party. We spent one night together and didn’t see each other again until Senator O’Connor was found murdered.”

“And why did you never see him again?”

“A series of misunderstandings.”

“Did you disclose this prior relationship with the witness to your superior officers?”

“I did not.”

“Why not?”

“It wasn’t relevant. It was one night six years ago.”

“Did it occur to you at the time that your failure to disclose the relationship might endanger the investigation?”

“No.”

“At no time did you think, maybe I ought to tell someone that I know this guy? That I slept with this guy?”

“As I said, since the relationship spanned one night six years earlier, I didn’t see how it was relevant to the investigation. Mr. Cappuano was a tremendous asset and saved us a lot of time we would’ve wasted figuring out who the players were.”

“When did you clear Mr. Cappuano of any possible culpability in the senator’s murder?”

“Right away. He had an airtight alibi, no motive and his heartbreak over the loss of his friend and boss was genuine. At no time was he a suspect.”

“Even after you learned that he was the beneficiary of a two million dollar life insurance policy left by Senator O’Connor?”

“Mr. Cappuano was never a suspect.”

“At what point during the investigation did your relationship with Mr. Cappuano become personal again?”

“The first night.”

Stahl’s eyes lit up with glee.

Sam worked to keep her tone calm and even. “He called me when he realized someone had been in his house.”

“So the first night of the O’Connor investigation, you went to Mr. Cappuano’s home?”

“That’s correct.”

“Located where?”

“At that time it was in Arlington, Virginia.”

“Which is well outside your jurisdiction.”