The peoples right to know cannot be abridged, Ms. Hunt, he said. Maybe thats why more people visit Blabber on a daily basis than the sites for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN combined. But setting all that aside, you can see why Im disinclined to reveal the name of my companion.

Mr. Otis, Purcell said, I can assure you that as law enforcement, its a violation of our oath to reveal information like that, with or without an NDA. Doing so could result in the loss of our jobs.

And yet you signed yours, Detective, Otis noted.

I did, Purcell admitted, turning slightly pink. But my point is that sensitive information is safe with us. It would only come out in a court proceeding under specified circumstances. But if you think it can help establish your alibi, Id highly recommend you provide the name. It could help exonerate you.

Besides, Jessie added, I assume this companion signed an NDA, yes?

She did.

Then, unless there were others with you at the time, the only people who would know about your lady friend are her and the people in this room. If something leaks, itll be easy to know who to go after. And if were all being honest here, Mr. Otis, we both know that youre going to leak her name anyway if it helps your image. So theres no real downside.

Ms. Hunt, how dare you defame my gentlemanly good name, he said in an over-the-top Southern accent which didnt hide the fact that he hadnt consented to share the womans name.

Jessie decided this was the time, when he seemed to be enjoying himself and had let his guard down slightly, to ask the question that had been on her mind.

Do you feel bad, sir?

Excuse me?

Do you feel bad that a woman was murdered in your bathroom, Mr. Otis?

For the briefest of moments, he seemed thrown. But it was just a flicker in the eyes. Almost as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone.

Of course I do, Ms. Hunt, he said gravely. It wasnt just a woman. It was Milly Estrada, a friend, a woman I respected immensely. While she never represented me personally, her firm did. And I have friends who extolled her dedication and her skill. They found her in my shower, with her neck broken and no shirt on, hosed down like an animal. I feel more than bad, Ms. Hunt, I feel devastated. And if I dont display that to your satisfaction, Im sorry. Im trying to put on a brave face and push through this because lingering on it, thinking about how awful her final moments must have been, well its too terrible to fathom. Call me a coward but I guess Im just not up to it.