“The proof is in the autopsy.”

“Riggs… He was perfectly fine when he left for dinner last night.”

“You didn’t want to go with him?”

“I don’t like that restaurant, so he goes there alone.”

“I need to back up and ask for your name,” Sam said.

“It’s Leslie. Leslie Lawton.”

“And how long have you been married to Riggs?”

“It would’ve been ten years this fall.” Her eyes filled. “Riggs would never take that stuff or end his own life. He loved his life and me…”

“I’m sorry to have to confirm that he did, in fact, take his own life.”

“He couldn’t have done that.”

Sam chose to let her silence speak for her.

“Where did it come from?”

“He had it hidden on his person and was dead in a matter of minutes.”

Suddenly, Leslie reached for her necklace. “Oh my God… He wears a pendant. He never took it off, and when I asked him what it was, he told me it was for emergencies. I had no idea what that meant.” She looked stricken. “You don’t think….”

Sam nodded to Freddie to notify Lindsey.

He got up and left the room, closing the door behind him.

“What do you know about your husband’s business, Mrs. Lawton?”

“He… He was involved in so many things.”

“Was he involved in dealing drugs?”

She recoiled from the question. “No! He would never do something like that!”

Sam tipped her head. “Are you certain of that?”

“He… He was so health conscious. I can’t for the life of me picture him involved with drugs.”

“What other businesses did he own or manage?”

“It was all online stuff. I don’t really know.”

Sam wanted to ask how she could be so oblivious, but she bit her tongue. “Could we have your permission to search his computers and phone as well as your home?”

“What? No. Absolutely not.”

“We believe your husband was possibly overseeing a vast criminal empire that included drug dealing. Unless you’d like to be charged as an accessory, it would be in your best interest to allow us to fully investigate him.” Charging her would be a long shot, but whatever it took to convince her to help them.

“He… He wouldn’t want that. He was so private.”

“He’s dead, Mrs. Lawton, and he’s left you to deal with the fallout. I’d suggest you cooperate with us, if for no other reason than to prove he wasn’t involved in any of this.” He absolutely was, but that, too, didn’t need to be said right then.

“I… I’m not sure what to do. Should I talk to a lawyer?”

“You’re not currently facing any charges, so you don’t need a lawyer.”

“Not currently facing charges? What does that mean? I didn’t know anything about what he was doing.”

“Which will help you if you help us.” Sam stared her down, hoping to make her understand the position she was in. “What’s it going to be? Can we have your permission to search your home and his electronics?”