“We?” Ava asked.

He gave a half smile. “Sorry. Habit. Speaking of my father. He always uses the term ‘we’ when talking about other politicians.”

“You’re not a politician.”

“Hell no. But I spent eighteen years in the household of one and too many years rubbing shoulders with the rest of them. They never looked down on me and treated me as their equal. Looking back, they were probably trying to butter up my father and uncle, but I took it as my due. I knew how to talk with them and operate in their world.”

“Carson Scott,” Ava reminded him, fascinated in spite of herself.

“He was born to be a politician.”

“Is that a good thing?” Ava cut in.

“Depends what you want to achieve in life. He knew how to talk to people and show a genuine interest in their concerns. It felt like you had one hundred percent of his attention when you spoke with him. A lot of people can’t do that.”

Ava nodded. She hated it when the person she was talking with seemed distracted.

“Anyway, we’re of an age. We discovered we both liked kiteboarding. The first time I met him, we spent a good hour exchanging stories about the best places to board.”

“Did you like him?”

Michael paused. “I did. But I didn’t trust him. There was something about his personality that made me keep my distance. I’ve been with him when he’s had a bit too much to drink. You can learn a lot about a person when he’s buzzed. This was a guy who wanted to be the center of attention wherever he went. He liked the ladies’ eyes on him, and he liked the men to listen to what he had to say. He was the type that knew how to get what he wanted, you know?”

Ava knew the type all too well. “Would you call him a bully? Did he always have to get his way?”

“No.” Michael thought hard. “But yes.”

“What?”

“Physically, no. He knew how to take the lead and get everyone to follow. But he had a way with words and gestures that gently turned people to want to do as he said.”

“You make him sound like a cult leader.”

“Oh, Lord. I’ve met those types. Carson wasn’t like that. If you didn’t buy into his philosophy, he respected that. But he could still make you feel a bit sheepish if you didn’t share his ideals.”

“His chief of staff idolized him,” Ava pointed out. “She thought Carson was a great supporter for his community. Did you know he wasn’t running for reelection?”

“I’d heard a rumor about that. After his scandal last fall, who could blame him? And I’m sure he did lots to help his district. That’s his job, and he’s the type to succeed at what he attempts.”

“We’re searching for a past connection among the three victims. They all grew up in the Portland-wide metro area, and you did, too, right?”

He nodded.

“We’ve torn apart their history of the last five years, and they don’t seem to have anything in common. So we’re using the years that Joe Upton lived in the area as a general guide for when these men might have crossed paths. That would be fifteen years ago and earlier. As a high school student living around here, what did you do that brought you into contact with students from other schools?”

“I’m sure you’re looking at school sports, but there’s sports outside of school. I loved to ski on Mt. Hood in high school. I got up there every moment I could. There were teenagers from all over.” His forehead wrinkled as he stared off in thought. “One year I was a volunteer at the zoo. My mom tried to get me to volunteer at the library. That was a bust. I picked berries in the summer when I was a bit younger. Christ, there’s a million places they might have met.” His green eyes narrowed at her. “I don’t envy you, trying to find that connection.”

“Yes, it’s a bit intimidating. I’m hoping something will turn up in one of their homes to point us in the right direction.”

“When I saw you were part of the FBI team assigned to the Carson Scott investigation, I wanted to know your reputation,” Michael said. “So I asked some questions. But that’s not the only reason I’ve been digging around; when someone shows up with a friend of mine, I check them out.”

Ava raised a brow.

“Don’t be offended. I caught Callahan’s jealous vibe when I spoke to you. That’s enough to make me curious. Callahan doesn’t like anyone, but he clearly likes you a lot.”

“You were looking out for him? By snooping about me?”

“Exactly.”

“What’d you find?” She tamped down her annoyance, curiosity taking over.

“Your work record is impeccable and your reputation stellar. I read about your assignment last Christmas with that missing child, and I knew Callahan had a personal connection in that case. I assume that’s how you met?”

She could only nod. Where does he get his information?

“You’re pretty squeaky-clean. A good girl, I’d say.”

“Damn right. I worked hard to be that way.”

“But your twin sister is not.”

His words stabbed like an icicle to her heart. She couldn’t move. Of course he’d found out about Jayne. Why was she surprised? She took a deep breath. “No, Jayne is not like me.”

“Her history is pretty volatile. It’s almost like you don’t even have the same DNA. You got the law-abiding genes and she did not.” Michael appeared to see directly into her brain and hear every thought.