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retainer?” I couldn’t help smiling.
    She sent me one of her looks, which made me feel better. Nervous, hesitant Samantha didn’t resemble the woman I’d known for a lifetime. “Molly, there’s an awful lot of stuff going on in Washington. Even more than when you lived here. You never know if someone is who he or she says they are. I always have a background check done if I’m going to do business with someone. An expensive suit and a smile aren’t enough. Some job histories are suspect. Even personal recommendations can be suspect. I like to know the people I’m dealing with.”
    â€œThat makes sense. Better safe than sorry.”
    â€œPrecisely.”
    I was impressed with Samantha’s caution. Sober-and-Righteous prodded that I needed to adopt that attitude myself. I ignored it. Samantha returned to her desk and dropped the folded paper beside a lamp. Then my instinct prodded me. That , I listened to.
    â€œYou know, you should scan that list into your computer and save it to a file. That way you’ll have an electronic copy to send to your investigator guy … or girl. Then you could actually destroy that paper list. Better not to have it around.”
    â€œGood point.” She gave me a smile then reached over and turned on her computer and scanner and settled in her desk chair.
    Another concern surfaced and I had to voice it. Samantha needed to prepare herself. “You know the police are going to question you once they find out about your affair with Wilson. You’d better have your story straight.”
    She glanced over at me with a worried frown. “You’re right, and I plan to tell them about the photos and my suspicions about a blackmailer. Besides, they’ve probably found those photos in Quent’s briefcase. Dear God.”
    â€œAre you going to tell them about the arrangement Wilson had with his wife?”
    She gave a long sigh. “I will if they ask about his wife. If they don’t bring up the subject, I won’t go there. What Quentin and his wife, Sylvia, said to each other is their business. It was between husband and wife.”
    â€œOkay, but be prepared to tell the truth if they do ask. After all, his wife is probably the one who ordered the photos.”
    â€œI know,” she said, glancing toward the window.
    Another sunny hot summer day lurked outside, waiting for us to step into it. I’d already called my cousins and told them I wouldn’t be coming over that afternoon. I didn’t want to leave Samantha alone.
    â€œYou’re staying with me tonight, and I won’t take no for an answer. So better pack a bag. Let’s get out of here. In fact, it might be better if you didn’t stay here until you can have the entire living room area cleaned and redecorated. Change it entirely so it doesn’t bring back any memories.”
    I could see her relax a little. “You’re right. I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway. Thank you for asking me over.”
    â€œC’mon, let’s go pack some bags for you,” I said as I rose. Another concern swept forward then, something I had wanted to say earlier but hesitated to do so. “Oh, and you know the police are going to ask you to account for your whereabouts last night, so be prepared to answer. You’ll probably have to warn your Wise Sage that he may be questioned too.”
    She logged out of her computer. “I’m afraid I cannot do that, Molly. Some of my closest gentlemen friends and advisors are rather highly placed in sensitive government positions.”
    I stared at her, shocked. “Samantha, you have to tell the police where you were! Otherwise they’ll suspect you were here with Wilson when he killed himself. And that … that could turn ugly. After all, this is your house.”
    She headed out of her library and down the hall toward the curving staircase leading to the upper floor. “They