Page 67 of State of Suspense

“I feel like the AG is fucking with me.”

“I understand why you’d feel that way.”

“When I interviewed him, he never said a word about how he and Forrester went all the way back to college and had been tight ever since. Leslie Forrester said they were like brothers. He never said he was also close friends with Bryant or that the three of them regularly spent time together.”

“That’s weird.”

“I know, which leads me to wonder if Cox is involved.”

“You think the AG might be involved in the death of a USA he was friends with for twenty-five years?”

“I don’t know what to think. Why wouldn’t Cox tell me everything there is to tell about his friendship with Forrester? If he cares about his friend and getting justice for him, wouldn’t he vomit details to assist in the investigation? How would their long friendship count as something he couldn’t share with me, especially when that friend is now lying in the morgue?”

“It makes no sense that he’d keep that from you.”

“Am I going to have to interview him again? Please say no.”

“I wish I could.”

“I plan to try to get a minute with him at the state dinner. I figured he can’t very well publicly avoid the first lady when she wants to have a word with him.”

Avery smiled. “I wish I could be a fly on the wall for that.”

“I’m sorry you guys won’t be there, but I’m so glad Miss Maisie has safely arrived, and all is well.”

“Me, too. Shelby is such a badass. I know I never should’ve worried about her, but pregnancy risks are so much greater in the forties. It’s a relief to have it behind us. She’s already scheduled the big V for me.”

“Ack, TMI.”

He laughed. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m so happy for you guys.”

“I’m happy for us, too. She’s the best.”

“Yes, she sure is.”

“So, are you pretending not to be injured?”

“Perhaps.”

“Are you okay?”

“I will be.”

Apparently realizing she wasn’t going to talk about it, he said, “Two other things. I looked into all the threats that’ve been made against USA and the office in the last year and didn’t find anything that stood out as particularly worrisome. It was mostly the usual claims of prosecutorial overreach and unfairness. Also, I’ve put pressure on the lab to get that phone processed. I’ll let you know what I hear from them.”

“Thank you, Avery.”

Chapter Twelve

After Avery left, Freddie came to the door. “Bryant’s lawyer says they’re ready to talk. They’re in interview two.”

“Excellent.” Sam painfully transferred herself to the rolling office chair and headed for the door.

Freddie jumped to get out of her way. “Easy, Speedy Gonzales.”

“That name is trademarked,” Gonzo said, grinning as they laughed.

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