If so, Matt isn't buying

"We're prepared to offer the reduced charge of indecency with, of course, a registered sex offender in exchange for full cooperation and testifying against the other members of the cartel," Smelt said.

The lawyer nodded. "You know that the Internet is full of people streaming sexual imagery, and that there are plenty of actual under-age children being sexually exploited, right?"

"You know the saying about the fisherman never catching all the fish in the lake. We've got our perp. We'll get more."

"How about no?" Matt said.

"Don't turn down any bargains until you know all the alternatives," his lawyer said.

"For once I'd say listen to your lawyer," Smelt added.

"What I'd like to know is," Matt put in, "who is the donor?"

"A prominent local figure who is very concerned about the erosion of Christian morality."

Oh, great. All of a sudden Matt had a pretty good idea of who was behind it.

"Okay, I have a counter-offer," Matt said.

"Matt, you're not a lawyer," his lawyer argued. "Don't fall into the trap."

"If I can get the prominent donor to back off, will you drop this case and go after actual criminals."

"I really don't see how you can make that offer."

Matt wasn't sure, either. Still, he wasn't going to sell out his friends or his teacher. "Let me worry about logistics. I'm sure you're a good agent, SAIC Smelt. I'm sure you'd rather not be bothered by pressures from Washington to go after some punk kid who we all know hasn't filmed any underage minors. So, if I can call off the donor, you'll be able to do your job and they'll be happy because their donor has stopped bitching."

Smelt put her fingers together and pressed. "I haven't even told you who the donor is."

"Tell you what. You don't have to. I'll name a name. If I'm wrong, lock me up because I'm not going to sell out my friends over a crime they, and I, didn't commit. If I'm right, you don't have to say anything or admit it. Just let my lawyer take me out of here and give me a week. If I can't manage it in a week, well, you're no worse off, right."

"Give me your name."

"Mrs. Fellers."

SAIC Smelt looked from him to the lawyer, then back. "He's only lived on the hill for a few weeks?"

"Correct."

"I guess he has his nose to the ground. Okay, kid. Don't leave the state. Don't think about committing any crimes. Don't harass any political donors. If I don't hear from you in the next week, I'll send someone around to pick you up. Now get out of here and let me grab some dinner because I have real crimes that need investigating."

"I hope you know what you're doing, kid," his lawyer said as he piled Matt into his car and headed back for the Hill. Because Mrs. Phuan isn't going to be happy footing my legal bill and I've met Mrs. Fellers. She isn't going to be easy to persuade. She's got the whole 'Christianity means making rules to keep poor people down' thing going."

"Yeah, I've met her."

"Oh, great. Do not tell me her daughters are part of your show."

"Okay, my lips are sealed."

"You're going to need more than a lawyer. You're going to need a miracle."