“And now you can add to that at least one missing witness. I just got a text message on that subject from a member of my investigatory team. Plus sexual misconduct with a possible suspect. Plus a gross failure to examine obvious alternate scenarios for the murder—such as a fatal falling-out with organized crime, other members of the same family with bigger and better motives for murder than Kay Spalter, or even a politically motivated assassination. In fact, Brian, I’m on the verge of requesting a special prosecutor to look into what may be a massive criminal cover-up of a tainted prosecution. It’s incredible to me that the whole organized crime possibility was never pursued.”

The interviewer, his face a picture of empty-headed consternation, gestured with the papers in his hand. “So what you’re saying here, Lex, is that this troubling situation could be a lot bigger than anyone thought?”

“That’s an understatement, Brian! I can see some major law enforcement careers going up in flames! Everyone from the state police to the DA could be heading for a legal ripsaw! And I’m not afraid to turn it on!”

“It seems like you managed to uncover a lot of damaging facts in a very short time. You mentioned earlier that you’d recruited a star detective from the NYPD, Dave Gurney, to work with you—the same detective who recently tore the official version of the Good Shepherd case to shreds. Is Dave Gurney the one responsible for your new information?”

“Let me put it this way, Brian. I’m running a powerful team. I’m calling the shots, and I’ve got great people executing the plays. Gurney has the best homicide clearance record in the history of the NYPD. And I have him working with the ideal partner, Jack Hardwick—a detective who was forced out of the state police for helping Gurney discover the truth about the Good Shepherd. The stuff we’re coming up with is pure dynamite—one bombshell after another. Let me tell you—with their help, I plan to blow the Spalter case sky high.”

“Lex, you just delivered the perfect closing line. And now we’re about out of time. Thanks so much for joining us this evening. This is Brian Bork for Criminal Conflict, your nightly ringside seat at today’s most explosive legal battles!”

A voice from behind Gurney startled him.

“What are you watching?”

It was Madeleine. She was standing in the den doorway.

“You look wet,” he said.

“It just started raining. Didn’t you notice?”

“I got sucked into this, in more ways than one.” He gestured toward the computer.

She came into the room, frowning at the screen. “What was he just saying about you?”

“Nothing good.”

“He sounded complimentary.”

“Compliments are not always good things to get. Everything depends on the source.”

“Who was talking?”

“The loose-cannon lawyer Hardwick got for Kay Spalter.”

“What’s the problem?”