William Bernhardt - Capitol offence

"But Shaw said that he and his boss wanted to eliminate Christopher Sentz. That he was getting a bad case of the guilts. He was dangerous. Had to be eliminated."

"True. So several people had motives to kill Sentz." He looked at her pointedly. "That still doesn't tell us who pulled the trigger. Shaw never said he did it, not specifically. And if he didn't, then…"

She took Ben's hand, led him to the window of the reception area, and silently gazed out at the panoramic view of the Washington skyline.

Finally, after five minutes that felt like fifty, Christina spoke. "I think Dennis is innocent."

"You do?"

"Of course. He's such a nice man. So spiritual."

"He told me that after his wife died he was consumed with fury."

"But he wasn't a criminal. Shaw was a criminal."

"But not a murderer. As far as we know. And it was really his boss who wanted Sentz dead, not him."

Another silence fell upon them. This one lasted even longer.

"I still don't think it was Dennis."

"Really?"

"Yeah." She inhaled deeply. "In fact, I'm certain of it."

"You are?"

"Yeah. Certain."

Ben nodded. "Good. So am I."

"My instincts are good."

"They are."

"So there. That settles that."

"That settles it."

"We did the right thing, Ben. We did."

"Agreed."

"I mean it."

"Sure."

"Really."

"Absolutely."

And they stood in silence for the longest time, arms entwined, staring at the stars.