Page 83 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“So she had an affair?”

“Several of them, actually. Mark was the most recent and the longest lasting.”

Sam’s spine began to tingle with the realization that they were on to something. Finally. “I’ll need a list of the men she was involved with.”

Paula stared at her, seeming shocked. “I… I’m not sure I know them all.”

“How many were there?”

“Four.”

“Starting when?”

“About three years ago. The first two were one-night stands while she was away at conferences. The third was a friend of ours who lost his wife to cancer several years ago.”

“His name?”

“You really have to involve him in this? He’s been through so much already.”

“I really do have to involve him. His name?”

“Tyler Markham.”

“Where would we find him?”

Paula dropped her face into her hands. “He’s an obstetrician at GW.”

His name rang a bell with Sam, but she couldn’t immediately place him. “Is there anything else?” Sam asked. “Is there anything else you know that we should know, and let me warn you that failing to disclose information a second time will result in charges.”

“There’s nothing else. You won’t tell Bob that this came from me, will you?”

“I doubt I’ll have to. Who else would know this?”

“No one,” Paula said tearfully. “There’s no one else who knows.”

“I freaking hate when people waste our time,” Sam said as they left Paula’s and returned to the car.

“I can sort of understand why she didn’t go there the first time, though,” Freddie said. “In her mind, her friend is dead, and protecting her memory is the friend’s top priority.”

“Whereas finding her killer is our top priority.”

“Different perspectives, different priorities.”

“I suppose,” Sam said. “But honestly, why do we have to tell people that withholding information in a homicide is a crime before they’ll tell us what we need to know?”

“My very wise partner would tell you this is an everyday thing to us, but it’s all new to them.”

“Stop making so much sense. It’s irritating.”

Freddie barked out a laugh. “I’ll add that to the things I’m not allowed to do.”

“That list has to be getting very long.”

“It’s twenty-six pages.”

Sam shot him a look. “You don’t really have a list, do you?”

“I’ll never tell.”

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