MAGGIE wasn’t sure what she expected. Could Stucky or Harding be stupid enough to get caught by the police? Yet, when Manx showed her into the interrogation room, her heart sank. The young man looked more like a college student than the hardened criminal Manx had described.

“There’s been a huge misunderstanding,” he told her. He wore khakis and a crew-neck sweater. Maybe this was what Manx expected burglars to wear in Newburgh Heights.

Maggie walked around Manx and sat down at the table opposite the young man. He sat wringing his hands in front of him, his eyes darting from Manx to the other two uniformed officers in the room.

“I’m Special Agent Margaret O’Dell with the FBI.” She waited for his eyes to settle on hers.

“FBI?” He looked worried. “Something’s happened to Tess, hasn’t it?”

“I know you may have already explained all this, but how do you know Ms. McGowan, Mr.—”

“Finley. My name’s Will Finley. I met Tess last weekend.”

“Last weekend? So you haven’t been friends for very long. Did she show you a piece of real estate?”

“Excuse me?”

“Did she show you a house last weekend?”

“No. We met at a bar. We…we spent the night together.”

Maggie wondered if it was a lie. Tess McGowan hadn’t looked like the barfly type. Nevertheless, she was certain Will Finley had nothing to do with Tess’s disappearance. She was glad she hadn’t dragged Tully away from lunch with his daughter for this.

“What’s happened to Tess?” Will Finley wanted to know. He looked genuinely concerned.

“Maybe you ought to be tellin’ us,” Manx said from behind Maggie.

“How many times do I have to tell you? I didn’t do anything to her. I haven’t seen her since Monday. She hasn’t returned any of my phone calls. I was worried.” He scraped a shaking hand over his face.

Maggie wondered how long they had kept him here. He looked exhausted. She knew after enough hours of the same questions, in the same room, that the most innocent of men could break down.

“Will.” She waited again for his eyes. “We’re not sure what happened to Tess, but she is missing. I’m hoping you might be able to help us find her.”

He stared at her as though he wasn’t sure if this was a trick.

“Is there anything you can remember?” she continued, keeping her voice calm. “Anything that could help us?”

“I’m not sure. I mean, I really don’t know her very well.”

“Well enough to fuck her, though, right?” Manx said, insisting on playing the bad cop.

Will Finley stared at him and fidgeted with the appropriate amount of guilt. Manx was right about the kid hiding something. It was the illicitness of the affair, not that he had hurt Tess.

“Where did you spend the night together?”

“Look, I know my rights. I don’t have to answer these questions.” He sounded defensive now.

“No, you don’t need to answer any of my questions. I just thought you might want to help us find her.” Maggie tried to persuade him.

“I don’t see how knowing where or when or how or what we did that night is going to help.”

“Hey, kid, you banged an older woman. You should be jumping at the chance to share the details.”

Maggie stood and faced Manx, trying to maintain her calm.

“Detective Manx, do you mind if I have a word with Mr. Finley alone?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“And why is that?”

“Well…” Manx hesitated while he manufactured a reason. “Might not be safe to leave you alone with him.”

“I’m an experienced FBI agent, Detective Manx. I’ll take my chances.” She glanced over at the officers. “You gentleman can verify that I said that.”

Manx stalled, then finally waved the two officers out of the room. He followed, but not before shooting a warning look in Finley’s direction.

“I’d apologize for Detective Manx, but, quite honestly, there is no excuse for his behavior.”

When she looked at Will Finley, he was smiling.

“I just realized who you are. You and I have a mutual friend.”

The door opened again, and Maggie jumped to her feet, ready to snap at Manx. It was, instead, one of the other officers. His entire face seemed to be apologetic.

“Sorry, but the kid’s lawyer just got here. He’s insisting on seeing him before any more questioning—”

“You shouldn’t be questioning him at all,” a voice interrupted. “Not without his attorney present.” Nick Morrelli pushed past the officer and into the room. Immediately, his anger gave in to a smile. “Jesus, Maggie. We have to stop meeting like this.”