“Those closest to him, but he was discreet,” Nick said. “The media hadn’t zeroed in on his orientation yet.”

“But he knew they would,” Laine said. “He suspected it would come up during the confirmation hearings.”

“Was he concerned about that?”

“Not particularly,” Graham replied in a soft voice. The devastation wrought by the double-whammy of losing his son and now his close friend seemed to have diminished him. “His mother died several years ago without ever knowing he was gay. Her death liberated him in many ways. He didn’t care quite as much if people found out.”

“Was he in a relationship?”

“Not anymore,” Laine said, looking to Nick when she added, “How long ago did he and Duncan break up?”

“More than a year.”

Graham nodded in agreement.

“Were they together a long time?” Sam asked.

“Had to be twenty years,” Graham said.

“Was Duncan out of the closet?”

“Only to the people closest to him. Duncan wanted to retire and move to Florida,” Nick said. “Julian wasn’t ready to stop working, which is what broke them up. Julian loved teaching at Harvard, and when Nelson was elected, he knew the Supreme Court nomination was likely.” His voice faltered. “I just can’t believe he’s gone.”

“Is it possible,” Sam ventured, “that Duncan was worried about unwanted attention during the nomination hearings?”

“Worried enough to tie Julian up and shoot him in the back of the head?” Nick asked.

Laine gasped. “Oh God. God.”

“I’m sorry,” Nick said. “I didn’t mean to just blurt that out.”

“Duncan loved Julian,” Graham said. “I’ve never really understood how two guys, you know…But seeing them together…”

Laine dabbed at tears. “They were a lovely couple. We adored them both.”

“I’ll need to talk to Duncan,” Sam said. “Do you know where I can find him?”

“He lives in South Beach.” Laine rose and crossed the room to the smaller of the two desks. Returning, she handed Sam a piece of paper. “Here’s his address.”

Sam tucked the address into her back pocket and checked her watch. Almost nine o’clock. “I need to get back to the city,” she said to Nick. “Do you want to stay here?”

He glanced at Graham.

“You need to be at the Capitol for the start of the new session,” Graham said.

“Are you sure?” Nick asked. “I don’t mind staying.”

“Go to work, Senator. Get John’s bill passed.”

Nick clutched the older man’s hand and leaned into his embrace.

“We’ll get through this,” Graham said gruffly. “Somehow, we’ll get through it.”

Nick nodded and stood to hug Laine.

Sam followed suit.

“You’ll be gentle when you tell Duncan?” Laine said.

“I promise.”

Laine reached up to caress Sam’s face. “I don’t envy you your job, but I have full confidence that you’ll find the person who did this to Julian.”