Alex ignored her, said to Hoolihan, his eyes tortured, pain-filled, “We would be happy to give you more information about Kent, but I doubt it will help catch who shot him. We are still at a loss as to why anyone would shoot a man who was well-liked and respected. I think it must have been a drive-by, some kind of mistake. Nothing else makes sense.”

He paused, as if waiting for the supplicant cop to offer to polish his Ferragamos, and looked discreetly at his watch, like an important man being harried unjustly. “Very well, Detective, I will say it for you. You are here to question me about some supposed sexual misconduct on Kent’s part, something you believe relates to this student—Winters, you said her name was? Let me state categorically I don’t believe Kent Harper has ever harmed a woman in his life. He focuses his aggression on his competitors. The rumors some of those reporters asked about yesterday at my press conference are both preposterous and untrue, probably planted by one of my opponents, even accusing me of complicity to drive me out of the race.” He stared at Mia. “With the help of a reporter who decided she’d use me as a springboard to launch her career, such as Ms. Briscoe here.”

He looked down at the stark white carpet beneath his feet, his expression infinitely sad, but stoic. “That vicious ploy succeeded enough to destroy my campaign, and now I am left to pick up the pieces of my life. I am the victim here, Detective, as is Kent, who can’t even defend himself. So if you’re here about those absurd rumors, to try to dig up dirt, then I want you to leave. I will give you my lawyers’ number. I will say it again, this has been a very difficult time for both Pamela and me. We want to be left in peace.”

Mia said, “We found Serena.”

Alex cocked his head at her. “What are you talking about? If you found this girl, then why are you here?”

Mia wanted to punch him in the face, she wanted to obliterate him. She felt Tommy’s big hand tighten around her arm, and she took a deep breath. “We found Serena this morning, exactly where Kent told me the two of you buried her after you murdered her at the Godwyn frat rave.”

Stone silence. Mia added, “If you’ve forgotten, you buried her near Pauley’s Farm in Valley Forge National Park.”

Pamela lunged toward Mia, her fists raised. “That’s a lie, you vicious bitch! A hateful, ridiculous lie!”

Tommy quickly stepped in front of her. He said, “You don’t want to touch her, Ms. Barrett, or I will arrest you. Try me.”

Mia wanted to pull away from Tommy, break Pamela’s perfect nose, maybe loosen some perfect capped teeth. Tommy said softly, “You, too, Mia. Get hold of yourself.”