“And it could have contained evidence. And evidence could have been on Finch’s laptop. And you know more than you’re telling me because that’s why you called Bradshaw directly.”

Ethel’s eyes flashed. “Frank, I went to Bradshaw because Jonathan Finch was Secret Service. If the victim were your Officer Tepper, I would have gone straight to you. You know that’s the truth.”

“Yeah, I know,” Mancini grumbled. “It’s one thing to play second fiddle on an investigation, and it’s another thing to play second fiddle if the conductor’s changing the score sheet for a cover-up.”

“And if it’s not a cover-up but an undercover operation? Isn’t it prudent to pursue justice without blowing up what could have been Finch’s case, a case he gave his life for? A life that includes a wife and son back in Richmond.”

Mancini stood silently chewing on his lip for a few seconds. Then he stepped closer and looked down at the woman who had always had his respect. “And that’s what you think?”

“What I think is we don’t know enough to rule anything out. You know the old adage. It’s not what you know you don’t know that kills you, it’s what you don’t know that you don’t know. That’s why both of us need to proceed cautiously. That’s why, at this stage, second fiddle at least keeps you playing in the orchestra.”

A smile broke through Mancini’s grim countenance. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re the one holding the baton?”

Chapter 7

As dawn broke, Jesse Cooper stood at his bedroom window and watched the scene below. A tent had been erected over the SUV and the spot where Finch had died. Jesse couldn’t tell if the body had been removed. More uniformed officers maintained a perimeter defined by tape and sawhorses. Beyond, neighbors gathered in small clusters, neighbors who might not have spoken to each other in months or even years.

A rap on the door broke into Jesse’s thoughts. Mancini entered.

“Mr. Cooper. I know you gave some information to Officer Tepper, but I’d like to go through it again.” He walked across the room and joined Jesse at the window. “You saw the two men running from here?”

“Yes. Away from me. The one with the satchel was a good ten yards behind.”

“And you think the other man was carrying a laptop?”

“It was the right size and shape. I’d seen Jonathan use one before. But it could have been something else.”

“And you saw their vehicle from here?”

“No, I saw it as I ran across the yard. I came down the stairs and out of the house pretty fast. I could see someone had been hurt.”

Mancini nodded. “That was brave of you to run to an active shooting scene.”