“I had given him my card with instructions to call if he thought of anything that might help the investigation. When he arrived home and discovered disarray, he did as I asked by calling me. After I got to his house and confirmed that someone had entered the home, I called Arlington police.”

“And your relationship took a personal turn that night?”

“I waited with him while Arlington investigated. During that time, he provided more background on the O’Connor family relationships. After the police left, we discussed our personal relationship, which he wished to resume. I told him it would have to wait until the investigation concluded.”

“Did it?”

A sharp pain in her stomach stole her breath. This is where things got dicey. “Despite my intentions, the relationship later became serious.”

“Did you disclose that to your superiors?”

“I did not. It still had no bearing on the investigation.”

“How did your relationship with Mr. Cappuano become public?”

“When my ex-husband planted crude bombs on both our cars. The bomb on my car exploded, injuring both Mr. Cappuano and myself.”

“This occurred where?”

“In front of Mr. Cappuano’s Arlington home.”

“You were there for what reason?”

Sam swallowed the ball of panic forming in her throat. “I had spent the night there.”

“How many days into the O’Connor investigation was this?”

“Three.”

“That didn’t take long.”

“Can the editorializing, Lieutenant Stahl,” Conklin said.

With a smarmy smile, Stahl said, “Lieutenant Holland, did your superiors confront you about the relationship after the bombing?”

“I discussed it with both Captain Malone and Chief Farnsworth, both of whom accepted my explanation of how the relationship transpired and how helpful Mr. Cappuano had been to the investigation.”

“What is your relationship today with Mr. Cappuano?”

“Senator Cappuano and I are in a committed relationship as you and everyone in Washington knows.”

“Do you think the very public nature of your relationship with the senator could be seen as a detriment to your duties as a police officer?”

“In a perfect world, the media would have no interest in us. Unfortunately, I don’t live in that world.”

“Do either of you have any questions?” Stahl asked Conklin and Andrews. Both declined. “In light of Lieutenant Holland’s testimony and her inappropriate relationship with a material witness, I recommend two weeks unpaid suspension and reduction in rank to detective.”

Sam suppressed a gasp. Two ranks! That couldn’t happen. But she refused to give Stahl the satisfaction of an emotional outburst.

“The panel will consider the recommendation in executive session,” Conklin said. “Lieutenant Holland, we appreciate your candor. You’ll be informed of our decision.”

“Thank you, Deputy Chief Conklin. If I may, I’d like to say one more thing—obviously, I don’t wish to lose my current rank, but I want you to know that if I had the O’Connor investigation to do over again, I wouldn’t change a single thing. That’s all.”