Chapter Twenty
She drove him to drink, but he loved her anyway, Freddie thought as he dodged through traffic on his way to Mark Townsend’s home in Potomac, another of those communities that had sparked envy in him as a child.
Since it would take him about twenty minutes to get there, he put through a call to his wife.
Weeks after tying the knot, he still loved to refer to the exquisite Elin Cruz as his wife. Having a wife was the best thing ever.
“Hey,” she said when she picked up, sounding breathless.
Her breathlessness reminded him of things he had no business thinking of in the middle of a workday.
“Freddie? Are you there?”
“I’m here, babe. What’s up?”
“Just working out. You?”
Picturing her sweaty and disheveled after a workout was another thought he shouldn’t be having while at work. “On my way to Potomac in Sam’s car, so I figured I’d say hi while I’m driving.”
“Where’s Sam?”
“She took the Metro back to HQ.”
“She did? What’s up with that?”
“Desperate times. We’ve been pounding a lot of pavement out in the sticks, and neither of us wanted to waste the time driving back out here. One of us had to get back to HQ, so we did a divide and conquer.”
“I can’t picture her on the Metro.”
Freddie laughed. “Me either. I had to remind her that there’d be other people there and she needed to be nice.”
“She’ll hate that.”
“Yep. I’m sure there’ll be some good stories about her ride on the Red Line.”
“No doubt. Any luck figuring out who killed the woman who stole from her friends?”
“Not yet, but she gets more reprehensible with every new person we talk to.”
“I can’t figure out what her plan was once everyone figured out they’d been scammed.”
“Who knows? Maybe she intended to be long gone by then, but it didn’t work out.”
“Maybe so. How would she be able to show her face in her life after conning everyone she knew?”
“She wouldn’t. Sam is talking to the husband again when she gets back to HQ. Maybe he can shed some light.”
“I’d be interested to know that. I mean, anyone who steals from the people closest to them can’t be planning to stick around afterward. I wouldn’t. I’d be heading somewhere warm and tropical.”
“That’s good to know. I’d want to be able to find you.”
“Duh, I’d take you with me.”
Freddie laughed. “Well, that’s a relief, but please don’t swindle our family and friends. I kinda like my life the way it is.”
“Me, too. People at the gym are talking about Nick deciding not to run.”
“What’re they saying?”
“Most of them are super disappointed. They had their hearts set on a Cappuano administration.”
“I had my heart set on it, too.”
“I know. Oh well. I give him credit for having his priorities straight. So many people would put their own ambition ahead of everything, even their own family.”
“Not Nick. He’s waited forever to have what he has now with Sam and the kids.”
“I admire him for many reasons. This is another one.”
“Do I need to be concerned about you admiring the VP?”
“Who’s the husband of your partner? I don’t think so.”
Her dry, sarcastic tone always amused him. “Good to know.”
“You aren’t still worried about silly things, are you, Detective Cruz?”
“Of course not.”
“Because it would indeed be silly for you to worry about me wanting anyone but you.”
“Duly noted.”
“In fact, I’d be happy to give you a reminder of who I want when you get home.”
“Gulp.”
She lost it laughing. “I thought you might like that.”
“I always like that.”
“You don’t know any better.” She loved reminding him that she’d been his first and only, not that he ever needed to be reminded. She’d been well worth the wait.
“There’s nothing better than you, baby.”
“You going to be late tonight?”
“Not if I can help it. I may cut out a little early because my wife is feeling generous.”
“Ha-ha, your wife is always feeling generous.”
“Thank goodness for that. I’ll text you when I’m on the way.”
“I’ll be here. I’m cooking something new tonight. It’s going to take half the day.”
“I can’t wait for any of it.”
“Be careful, Freddie. I love you.”
“Love you, too. See you soon.”
He ended the call and pushed down on the accelerator, eager to get the interview with Townsend’s wife taken care of so he could go home early. Sam wouldn’t care. They worked hideously long hours and rarely took time for themselves.
Rolling into Potomac a short time later, he drove past stately homes that had him wondering what secrets they hid.
Growing up with only his mom’s income, they’d been short on money most of the time.
He’d always assumed people who had it were immune from the problems less fortunate people faced.
And while they might not have to worry about a roof over their heads or where their next meal was coming from, he’d learned that no one was immune to gut-wrenching challenges, even those who seemed to have it all.
Townsend lived in a big Tudor-style home on yet another tree-lined street with kids riding bikes on sidewalks and luxury vehicles everywhere he looked. He pulled into the driveway and parked behind a navy-blue Lexus SUV. His phone chimed with a text from Sam.
Send me the address so I know where you are.
Are you checking up on me?
No, I’m learning from my mistakes.
He knew she meant the time she’d gone to a home without telling anyone where she was and walked into a nightmare at the hands of their former lieutenant. Freddie sent her the address. Another gilded mansion.
With flawed people living inside with real problems.
How’s the Metro?
It’s great! I love it. Made a few new friends.
Freddie laughed out loud. You’re such a liar.
Go get me a thread and hurry up about it.
I’m trying, but my boss is bugging me.
Get on it! NOW!
PITA.
Mosquito. Buzzzzzzzz. Become a yellow jacket. Get me something.
I’m going. Buzz off.
Freddie never got the last word with her, so he jammed his phone into his back pocket so he could live off that high for the short time it would last. He went up the stairs and rang the doorbell, which chimed like an air raid siren through the house.
That’s how Sam would describe it, anyway, and whether he wanted to admit it or not, her voice was always in his head.
She’d love to know that, which was why he could never tell her.
He rang the bell again and added some raps of the massive door knocker.
The door flew open, and a woman grabbed his arm, dragged him inside and shut the door so fast, he never saw it coming. A loud click had him staring at her in shock as she pointed a gun at him. He held up his hands.
“What the fuck do you want?” she asked as she twisted and turned a convoluted set of locks.
“I’m a cop. Let me show you my badge.”
“Move slowly.”
He did as she told him, moving very deliberately to get the badge out of his pocket.
“Give me your gun.”
“That’s not happening.”
She aimed her weapon at his heart. “Yes, it is, or I’ll end you right here.”
As Freddie contemplated the shit storm he’d been pulled into, he tried to figure out what Sam would do.
She’d draw her weapon and take her chances with getting shot herself, so that’s what he ought to do, too.
Except he’d been shot once before, and it had totally sucked.
He had no desire to go there again, especially with his beautiful wife waiting for him at home.
So he withdrew his weapon from the hip holster and handed it to her, butt first, hoping he wouldn’t live to regret not shooting her when he’d had the chance.
Sam had forgotten how much she hated public transportation, especially since everyone stared at her the whole time they were on the train. New people came on. More staring. She was probably trending on Twitter.
Her phone dinged with a text from Nick.
What’re you doing on the Metro?
Sam laughed. Yep, she was trending all right, or her detail had ratted her out. She’d forgotten about them. I like to keep things interesting.
Seriously, Samantha. What are you doing there?
She loved when he called her Samantha. He was the only one in the world who did. I gave Freddie my car so he could finish up in Montgomery County while I go back to HQ to interview two people who’ve been in lockup since last night and are screaming about their rights.
Why didn’t you let the detail take you!??
What detail?
Not funny, Samantha. I don’t like you on public transport without backup.
I’m fine. Don’t worry.
Right. Don’t worry. Should I not breathe, too?
Please keep breathing. I need you alive and well.
Same, which is why I’d rather you not be in crowded places by yourself.
Still totally fine. I assume my agents are around here somewhere.
You don’t know for sure!?!
I forgot about them.
Honestly, Samantha. And you wonder why I don’t sleep at night.
She glanced up from her phone to check which stop they were at. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a young man approaching a woman who was standing, her hand wrapped around a metal bar for balance on the moving train.
The guy said something to her, which had her recoiling. “Get away from me.”
“Make me.”
For fuck’s sake. Sam sighed as she stashed her phone in her pocket and stood to get involved.
Approaching the twosome, she pulled out her badge and held it up for the young man to see.
“A word to the wise: You never know who’s watching you be a douche.
Move along,” she said to the shocked man, who clearly knew he knew her from somewhere even if he wasn’t sure where. “Now.”
He glared at her before moving to the other end of the car and taking a seat, but Sam felt his gaze fixed on her as she checked to see if the woman was all right.
“I’m fine, but thank you for intervening.”
“He didn’t touch you, did he?”
“No, but he grossed me out by telling me what he’d like me to do with him.”
“Where’re you headed?”
“Gallery Place.”
“Me, too. I’ll get you a ride to wherever you need to go when we get there.”
“Thanks. That’s nice of you.”
“No problem.” There were few perks to her job, but being able to summon a ride for someone in need was certainly one of them.
“I’ve admired your career,” the woman said shyly. She had silky dark hair and pretty brown eyes. “I’m a senior at American, studying criminal justice. I want a career like yours someday.”
“That’s nice to hear, but sometimes a career like mine means having to deal with dickwads like him. It’s not as glamorous as it seems.”
“Oh, I know, but I still can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”
“You sound like me way back when. Do you have LEOs in your family?”
“My dad and grandfather.”
“Ah, so it’s in the blood, then. Was for me, too.”
“I was sorry to hear about your dad.”
“Thank you. It was a tough loss. He was my buddy.”
“I could tell that from the way you talked about him.” She smiled. “I’m a little obsessed, and now you’ve come to my rescue, completely justifying my massive girl crush.”
Sam laughed. She liked this kid. “What’s your name?”
“Valerie Southern.”
“Nice to meet you, Valerie.”
“Very nice to meet you, too, Lieutenant.”
“You can call me Sam.”
Valerie fanned her face. “You’re going to have to give me a minute.”
Sam laughed as an idea hit her. “You want to come with me to HQ to hang out for a bit? Check out the front lines?”
The young woman stared at her, eyes agog. “Are you for real right now?”
“Sure,” Sam said, feeling unusually generous. She also wanted to make sure the younger woman wasn’t bothered again by the guy who’d hassled her. “If you want to. No pressure.”
“Of course I want to.”
“Do you have somewhere to be?”
“Yep, but I’ll get out of it.” She got busy texting on her phone and let out a laugh. “My friends are freaking out. They know about my girl crush.”
“You should know I’m very happily married.”
“My crush extends to him, too. Coolest couple on the planet.”
“I don’t know about that…”
“I do. Take my word for it.”
“If I must,” Sam said, amused by the woman’s moxie.
“You must. Who’s the dude over there glaring at you?”
Sam glanced over her shoulder to find Vernon right behind her. Whoops. “Um, well, he’s a Secret Service agent they put on me after the whole damned world freaked out about my husband’s decision not to run, and truth of the matter is, I forgot about him. I think he’s pissed.”
“I was crushed when I heard your husband isn’t going to run. You have no idea how many people I’ve talked to who are devastated. Everyone I know was hoping he’d be president.”
Sam winced. “Sorry to disappoint.”
“The thing is, I get it,” Valerie said, sighing. “I’ve read about his upbringing and saw his effed-up mother spouting off again last night. I think it’s cool he wants to be with you and your kids.”
“I do, too, but don’t tell anyone I said that.”
“I never would. Meeting you is the sickest thing to ever happen to me, and even though you don’t know me at all, you can trust me. I’ll never repeat anything you say to me.”
“That’s a good quality to have. Usually takes people a lot longer than their senior year in college to realize they get further in this world if they keep their damned mouth shut most of the time.”
“I agree. I’m forever telling my friends to stay the eff off Twitter and live their lives, for crying out loud.”
“Never spent one full minute on Twitter, and I’m doing fine.”
“You’re doing better than fine. Do you have any idea how many young women look up to you?”
“Um, no?”
“Thousands. You’re our spirit animal.”
“Ah, what’s a spirit animal?”
Valerie looked at Sam like she was crazy or from another planet. She was probably both. “A spirit animal is like a teacher or a guide for others to emulate. Usually in the form of an actual animal, but since you’re a mammal, you count.”
“Ah, good to know. I’m often animal-like first thing in the morning when not yet caffeinated.”
Valerie cracked up. “Me, too.”
The train pulled into Gallery Place. Freddie had told her to switch lines there, but she’d had enough of the Metro.
“This is our stop,” Sam said. “We’ve a bit of a walk from here.” Which she wasn’t looking forward to in the brisk wind.
“Are you in a rush?”
“Always.”
Valerie tapped around on her phone. “I ordered us an Uber. It’ll meet us on the street.”
“You’re good to have around.”
“So are you. Thanks for what you did with that weird dude.”
“No problem.”
“What about your Secret Service agent?”
“What about him?”
“Don’t you have to stay where he tells you to?”
“Nope. I don’t want him following me, so it’s up to him—and his partner—to figure out how to do it. I’m not about to make it easy for them.”
“Even though they’re fellow LEOs?”
“Don’t make me feel like a jerk.”
Valerie put up her hands as they rode the escalator to street level. “I didn’t mean to do that. I’m wondering.”
“Now I feel like a jerk.” Exasperated by delays on top of delays, Sam held up at the top of the stairs and waited for the agent to catch up. “We’re taking an Uber to HQ.” Then she turned and continued walking toward the curb. “Happy now?” she asked Valerie.
“It was very nice of you to tell him.”
“I do what I can for the people.”