“Liza Benjamin.” Sam watched a wide array of emotions skirt across the other woman’s face—fear, anger, disbelief and, finally, resignation.

“You asked me if I was having an affair with Willie. I was no longer involved with him when he died.”

“The vagaries of your statement cast suspicion upon you,” Sam said. “I hope you realize that.”

Jamie broke down into sobs. “I was protecting Willie’s kids. What would it matter now that we’d been together? That we’d fallen in love? I was protecting his memory.”

“By lying to cops?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

“We need you to come downtown to amend your statement.”

“Am I under arrest?”

“Not at this time and not if you cooperate from this point on. We do have to cuff you for transport, however. Department policy.”

Gonzo cuffed the crying woman.

“Can I at least put pants on?” She wore only an oversized T-shirt.

“We’ll get you some pants downtown. Let’s go.”

She cried all the way to HQ, but didn’t say another word. In deference to her half-dressed state, Sam pulled into the parking lot at the morgue entrance and took her in that way, avoiding the media camped out front.

“Get her into some clothes and put her in one of the interrogation rooms,” she said to Gonzo. “Let me know when she’s ready.”

“Will do.”

Sam walked into the pit just as her radio crackled with a call from dispatch. “This is Holland. Go.”

“Report of a possible homicide at the Capitol Motor Inn.” The dispatcher provided an address on Massachusetts Avenue, one of the main arteries into and out of the city.

“Got it.” She went into the conference room where Freddie was finishing up with Liza.

“Please stay available in case we need to reach you,” Freddie said.

“Fine.” She brushed past Sam and hurried toward the lobby. “What did she think would happen if she came in here and told us all that about Jamie?”

“Not what did happen, that’s for sure.”

“We’ve got a body in a hotel room on Mass Ave. Let’s go.”

Sam had planned to use the morgue exit, but screaming coming from the direction of the lobby had her heading out there to see what was going on.

“What were you thinking, you stupid cow?” Jamie shouted at Liza as Gonzo forcibly restrained Jamie. “How could you do this to me?”

Frozen in place, Liza cried hysterically. “I had to tell them! Willie is dead.”

“It’s none of your fucking business!”

“Freddie, get Liza out of here. I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”

Sam went to help Gonzo, and between the two of them they dragged Jamie into central booking, screaming all the way.