“How about over the last few years?”
“I’ve racked my brain, trying to think of something that would’ve led to this happening now, and I just can’t figure out how it wouldn’t be related to Bryant.”
“He told us he barely knew Forrester,” Freddie said.
“I can’t imagine why he’d say that when they’ve been friends for years,” Young replied. “A lot of people know that. It wasn’t a secret.”
“Was Cox’s friendship with Bryant well known, too?”
“Bryant would’ve met Reggie through Tom. You have to understand… Bryant was fun to hang out with. There was always a lot going on around him. I’ve played poker at his place with them. It was a good time. Staying close to a congressman on the Judiciary Committee would’ve been appealing to Reggie—and Tom to a lesser extent.”
“I’m still having a hard time picturing the Attorney General and a USA staying cozy with Bryant after figuring out he was a criminal,” Sam said.
“As I said, they were hoping he’d slip up and help the case they were building.”
“I’m not sure how we’ll prove he was involved in what happened to Tom, with him and the men who worked for him locked up at the time of the murder.”
“Were all of Bryant’s guys locked up?”
Sam glanced at Freddie.
“Not all of them.”
“Let’s figure out where the rest of them were when Forrester was killed.” To Young, she said, “Thank you for your time and the cooperation. It’s very much appreciated.”
“Whatever I can do to find the person who took Tom from us.”
Sam handed him her card with the usual instructions to call if anything else came to mind that might be relevant. “We’ll be in touch.”
Chapter Eighteen
Outside Young’s office, Sam stopped at the admin’s desk. “Are you Anita?” In her mid- to late-twenties, she had dark hair, pale skin and big brown eyes.
The woman seemed stunned that Sam was talking to her. “Uh, yes, I am.”
“Could we have a word in private, please?”
She glanced at Conlon’s closed door and then back at them. “I’d need to ask Mr. Young.”
“You don’t need to ask anyone. You just need to lead us to a room where we can speak privately.”
“I need to tell Mr. Young that I’m leaving my desk.”
“Tell him you’re going to the restroom.”
Anita’s hands were shaking as she lifted the phone receiver.
Sam rolled her eyes at Freddie, who seemed amused by the woman’s reaction to Sam.
“Mean and scary,” he whispered.
Sam didn’t think she was either of those things, but she did get some interesting reactions from people.
Anita got up from the desk and led them to the smaller of the two conference rooms.
“Close the door.”
She did as she was asked and then leaned back against it, keeping her hand on the door handle as if preparing for a quick escape.