First Family (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 4)

“Your lawyer?” gasped Bill.

“I’m being investigated. I need a lawyer.”

“But you didn’t do anything.”

“Don’t be stupid, Billy. Innocent men have gone to jail before, you and I both know that. I’m entitled to counsel like everybody else.”

They drove home together, Frank and Bill Maxwell in the back. Neither of them said a word the whole way.

Later, as Sean was leaving the Maxwells’ house to go to his hotel, he told Michelle, “Why don’t you watch your dad and I’ll take the list of friends and try to hit some before the funeral?”

“No, I’ll go with you. We can do it afterwards.”

“But your family—”

“He’s got my four brothers. I doubt he’ll even miss me. It might be a good thing since we’re not exactly hitting it off.”

“Okay, I’m going to grab a few hours’ sleep.”

“Me too,” she said.

Back at his hotel Sean raided the minibar, slept for four hours, then made some phone calls. Tuck Dutton had been discharged from the hospital. He called Pam Dutton’s sister in Bethesda. Tuck had come and gotten his two kids and gone to a rental house, she told him. Sean had Tuck’s cell phone number so he tried that.

Someone picked up on the second ring.

It wasn’t Tuck.

“Jane?”

“Hello, Sean.”

“I heard Tuck moved to a rental with the kids.”

“He did, I’m helping them all settle in.”

“Where is the place?”

“In Virginia. It’s a townhouse near the Vienna metro. The FBI uses it sometimes to put up visiting agents. The Secret Service is here as well, of course.”

“How’re Tuck and the kids?”

“Not great. Have you made any progress?”

“Yes, can you put Tuck on?”

“Can’t you tell me?”

“I really need to talk to Tuck about this.”

Sean heard a noise come out of the woman’s throat that made it clear she did not appreciate this slight at all. Still, a moment later he heard Tuck’s voice.

“What’s up, Sean?”

“Is Jane standing next to you?”

“Yeah, why?’

“You’re going to need some privacy when you hear what I have to say. Find it.”