And a man connected to those discrepancies had visited the area near her workplace on the night she was attacked.
Naomi arranged another interview with Hammer.
He arrived alone.
No vest.
No entourage.
He sat across from her and answered every question.
When she showed him a still image of the motorcycle, his expression changed.
He recognized it.
“That's Rook's old touring bike.”
Naomi nodded.
“Are you certain?”
Hammer studied the photograph.
“I recognize the luggage rack and the repair near the rear light. I worked on that machine myself.”
The detective recorded his statement.
Then she asked whether he remembered Rook leaving the clubhouse that evening.
Hammer closed his eyes.
“I remember him being there early.”
“And later?”
He shook his head.
“I can't account for the whole night.”
Naomi studied him.
For several seconds, she was silent.
Then asked.
“Mr. Dawson, what did you believe when you first heard about the attack?”
Hammer looked toward his hands.
“I believed somebody hurt a woman who was trying to protect the hospital's money.”
“Did you think Rook might be involved?”
He swallowed.
“Yes.”
Naomi leaned forward.
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
For a long moment, he couldn't speak.
Finally, he answered.
“Because I thought if it was true, everything I believed about my closest friend would be destroyed.”
Naomi remained still.
Hammer's voice broke.
“And because I cared more about that fear than I cared about what the truth might mean for Emma and Lucy.”
For several seconds, the room was quiet.
Then Naomi spoke.
“That's a difficult thing to admit.”
Hammer nodded.
“Yes.”
She continued.
“But admitting it now doesn't undo the delay.”
“I know.”
The detective looked toward the file.
“The evidence will determine whether your withholding of information created any separate legal issues. I can't make promises about that.”
Hammer nodded.
“I'm not asking you to.”
She studied him.
Then asked.
“Do you know what I find most troubling?”
Hammer looked up.
“What?”
Naomi took a breath.
“When somebody tells investigators that a child might recognize a dangerous person, we need to examine that information carefully. Not accept it blindly, but not ignore it because it would be inconvenient.”
Hammer looked down.
She continued.
“And you had information that could have led us to additional witnesses months earlier.”
His eyes filled.
“Yes.”
For a moment, he seemed unable to speak.
Then whispered.
“Can you tell me whether Emma is getting better?”
Naomi paused.