The Simple Truth

I guess that can be a two-way street.

Knights expression turned dark. Confidence is one thing, Mr. Fiske, disrespect is quite another.

Ive found that also to be a two-way street.

I hope you appreciate my concerns for Sara. They are genuine.

Im sure they are.

She started to turn away and then looked back at him. Your brother was a very special person. Highly intelligent, the consummate legal analyst.

He was one of a kind.

With that said, Im not sure he was the most able lawyer in his family.

Knight walked away, leaving a surprised Fiske behind. He stood there for a minute trying to analyze her words. Then he left the terrace and made his way down in the elevator to the lobby. He looked around but didnt see Sara. A horn beeped and he saw her car ease up to the front door. He climbed in and looked over at her. Where are we going?

To the airport.

What are you talking about?

Were going to see Samuel Rider, Esquire.

And who is Samuel Rider, Esquire?

Rufus Harmss attorney. George Barker called back with the name. I looked Rider up. He practices outside of Blacksburg, only a couple hours east of the prison. I tried his office, but there was no answer. His home phones unlisted.

So why are we flying out there then?

We have his office address. Itll be late by the time we get there, so its a long shot hell be in his office. But its also not a big town: We should be able to find somebody there who can give us his home address or at least his phone number. And if were right about his involvement, he could be in danger. If something happens to him, we may never find out the truth.

So you really think hes the one who called the Court? The one who filed the appeal?

I wouldnt bet against it.

["C43"]CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Twenty-five minutes later Fiske and Sara arrived at National Airport, and Sara pulled into one of the parking garages. After that they made their way to the general aviation terminal. Are you sure we can get a flight out? Fiske asked.

I chartered a private plane to take us there.

You did what? Do you know how much that costs?

Doyouknow how much it costs?

Fiske looked sheepish. No, I mean its not like I ever chartered a friggin plane before. But it cant be cheap.

Its about twenty-two hundred dollars for a round-trip flight to Blacksburg. I maxed out my credit card.

Then Ill pay you back somehow.

You dont have to do that.

I dont like owing people.

Fine, Im sure I can figure out lots of ways for you to pay it off. She smiled. A few minutes later they approached a small twin-engine jet sitting on the tarmac. Fiske watched as a boxy 737 lumbered down the main runway and then lifted gracefully into the air. Everywhere was the nauseating smell of jet fuel and the irritating whine of engines. Sara and Fiske headed up the steps of the sleek jet, where they were met by a man in his fifties with short white hair and a wiry build. He introduced himself as the pilot, Chuck Herman. Herman looked up at the skies. I got the flight plan filed okay, but were a little behind in the takeoff schedule. They had some delays earlier because of a software glitch in the control tower and everybodys paying for it.

Were on a short time fuse, Chuck, Sara said. The later they arrived at Riders office, the less likely it was that theyd find someone to help them. In addition, she couldnt be late for work again. Herman looked proudly at his aircraft. Not to worry. Were only talking a seventy-minute trip, and I can step on the gas if need be.

They all moved into the cabin and Herman indicated chairs for them to sit in.

Im sorry, but I couldnt get a cabin steward in here on such short notice. Do you two want anything?

A glass of white wine, Sara said.

How about you, John? Can I get you anything? Fiske declined. The fridge is fully stocked with food. Please help yourself.

Ten minutes after takeoff, the flight became very smooth, like gliding on a calm pond in a canoe. Sara unstrapped her belt and looked over at Fiske. He stared out the window at the sinking sun.

How about I fix up something to eat? And Ive got some interesting things to tell you.

Same here. Fiske unstrapped himself, followed her back and sat down at the table, where he watched Sara make up some sandwiches.

Coffee?

Fiske nodded. Something tells me its going to be a long night.

Sara finished making the food and poured out two cups of coffee. She sat down across from Fiske and looked at her watch. The flight is so short we dont have all that much time. There arent any rental car places at the airport in Blacksburg. We can take a cab to a rental place in town and get a car there, though.

Fiske took a bite of sandwich and swallowed it down with some coffee. You mentioned some things that happened at the party.

I had a run-in with Justice Knight. She recounted the story to Fiske. He then shared his own experience with Knight.

A hard woman to figure out, Fiske remarked.

Anything else?

McKe

Are you serious?

I dont have an alibi, Sara.

John, its not like anyone believes that you could have murdered your own brother. And how would that tie in to Stevens death?

If the two are co

So did McKe

Fiske put his coffee down. It might be good to get somebody elses view, he thought. No, but the fact is, I have a perfect motive.

Surprised, she put down her coffee. What?

I found out today that Mike had taken out a half-million-dollar life insurance policy on himself and named me as the beneficiary. That qualifies as a top-rank motive, dont you think?

But you said you just found out today.

Do you seriously think McKe

Thats strange.

Fiske cocked his head at her. What is?

Justice Knight said something along the lines that most homicides are committed by family members, and that I shouldnt trust anybody meaning, Im sure, you.

Was she ever in the Army that you know?

Sara almost laughed. No, why?

I was just wondering if she could have anything to do with Rufus Harms.

Sara smiled. But now that were on the subject, how about Senator Knight? He might have been in the Army.

He wasnt. I remember reading in the Richmond papers during his first Senate campaign that he was physically unable to be in the Armed Forces. His political opponent at the time was a war hero and he tried to make a big deal out of Knight not serving his country. But he did, in an intelligence capacity, good record and all, and the whole thing went away. Fiske shook his head in frustration. This is silly. Were trying to pound square pegs in round holes. He took a long breath. I hope Rider can help us. *����*����* Dressed in overalls, the man pushed the bulky cleaning cart down the hallway and then stopped outside one office, noting the stenciled lettering on the frosted glass door:SAMUEL RIDER, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. The man cocked his head and looked around, listening intently. The office building was small and Riders law office was one of only a half dozen places of business on the second floor. At this hour, the town and the building were pretty much deserted. Josh Harms tapped against the door and waited for a response. He tapped again, this time a little louder. Josh had left Rufus in the truck parked in the alley while he reco