“There were things”—Annette hesitated, trying to think exactly how Dane had worded his delirious ranting—“he knew that no one except someone who’d been on the scene could have known.”
“Such as.”
“Something about placement of the bodies.” Annette shook her head. “That’s about all he said that was in any way sensible.”
Carson closed his eyes against the images no doubt evoked in his mind.
“You know he had a drug problem even then,” she suggested, hoping to lessen the blow somewhat.
Those dark eyes opened and his pained gaze fixed on hers. “Drugs or not, I cannot believe that Dane would have hurt my family. That’s simply too far outside the realm of reality. He wouldn’t do that. He ... loved my family.”
Annette exhaled a heavy breath. “You have to be realistic. I didn’t just make all this up.”
Carson moved his head firmly from side to side. “What you’re alleging is impossible.”
“One thing is relatively certain,” she felt compelled to mention. “Dane is the only person who knows what really happened. If we can get him to talk, you’ll finally have that truth you’ve been searching for and the men who covered it up will have to pay.”
Carson continued staring at her as if his reasoning hadn’t caught up with hers just yet.
The phone on the table next to her rang. It wasn’t until then that she considered the time. Daniel should have been here by now. She could definitely use a healthy shot of caffeine.
“Excuse me,” she said to Carson as she lifted the cordless receiver. “Annette Baxter.”
“Ms. Baxter, we have a situation.”
Building security. Annette rose and crossed the room. “What situation?”
“The authorities are here. They’re requesting access to your penthouse.”
Not exactly surprising. Since she’d learned of Drake’s murder she had fully expected to be questioned. Wainwright would pin it on her if there was any way possible.
“I understand. I’ll be waiting here for their arrival.”
She ended the call and turned to Carson. “The authorities are here requesting to see me. You may want to leave by the back entrance.”
He stood. “Back entrance?”
“There’s a rear elevator in my suite. It goes down to the basement garage. You’re welcome to use my rental.”
“No. I’ll stay.”
That surprised her. She wasn’t foolish enough to misunderstand his motives, but it was somehow comforting to know he would be there. He’d at least heard her out. Even if he didn’t believe her, she had deposited the necessary doubt as to the integrity of his mentor.
A frown tightened her brow. Where was Daniel? He was never late.
Special Agent Kim Schaffer led the parade of cops, including Special Agent Boyd Davis, one of her colleagues, and Lieutenant William Lynch, into the room. Annette gathered her wits and braced for battle. “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”
“Annette Baxter,” Schaffer announced, “We’ll be executing a search warrant of these premises. And you’re to come with me for questioning as a person of interest in the murders of Senator Randolph Drake and Zachary Holderfield.”
Annette squared her shoulders. “Of course. I’m always happy to cooperate.”
Carson stepped forward, shocking Annette again. “Agent Schaffer, I’d like to observe the interview.”
Lynch looked from Schaffer to Carson. “Son, I don’t think that’s a good idea under the circumstances.”
Before Carson could argue, Schaffer held up a hand. “Mr. Tanner will be assisting me as an adviser in this interview.”
Annette had never cared much for the feds, but this was one time she was damned glad they were here.
