Daniel froze.
That was enough.
Adam felt his stomach drop.
“Jesus.”
His father looked away.
“Adam.”
“No.”
Adam backed up.
“No. Do not say my name like you’re about to explain something small.”
Daniel pulled out a chair.
“Sit.”
“I’m not sitting.”
“Then stop pacing.”
Adam laughed.
“I stopped a woman tonight.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Who?”
“You know.”
His father sat.
“Helen.”
Adam stared.
“You knew she was back?”
Daniel said nothing.
“Dad.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Another silence.
Adam’s chest tightened.
“You sent those records.”
Daniel looked at him.
Adam understood.
“Oh my God.”
The anonymous envelope.
Helen’s investigation.
State review.
Daniel Rourke had started it.
Adam almost felt relief.
Then remembered the bag.
“Why?”
Daniel rubbed one hand across his face.
“Because Thomas was right.”
Adam stood completely still.
“I need the whole thing.”
“Not tonight.”
“Tonight.”
“Adam.”
“I held an old police evidence bag in front of Helen Ward and told her I found drugs in her car.”
Daniel’s face went white.
“What?”
“It had your initials.”
The old man stood.
“What number?”
“N-4417B.”
Daniel grabbed the edge of the table.
For several seconds Adam thought he might fall.
“You know it.”
Daniel whispered something.
“What?”
“That should be gone.”
Adam stared.
“That is what everybody keeps saying.”
Daniel lowered himself into the chair.
“Where did you find it?”
“Under her passenger seat.”
“No.”
Adam waited.
Daniel looked up.
“That bag was part of the Clement seizure.”
“What is that?”
“A narcotics case. 2010.”
“You signed it.”
“Yes.”
“Did you plant the original in Evan’s car?”
Daniel stood abruptly.
“No.”
Adam searched his face.
“Did Mason?”
Daniel did not answer.
“Dad.”
“He said he didn’t.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
“I never saw him do it.”
Adam felt rage.
“You sound like a lawyer.”