Chapter Seventeen
Her regular cell phone rang with a call from Lilia, her chief of staff at the White House. “Hi there,” Sam said. “I heard you were going to call.”
“Hope I’m not disturbing your work.”
“Not at all. I’m driving, so your timing is perfect.”
“Excellent. So we’re thinking a post from the first lady expressing her condolences to the families in Des Moines might be in order.”
“I’m in favor of that. What do you have in mind?”
“How does this sound? ‘The president and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the people lost in Des Moines to this senseless tragedy. As a mother, my heart breaks for the loss of innocent children enjoying an annual tradition. As a law enforcement officer, I agonize over the toll gun violence is taking on our society and vow to work closely with the president to bring about sensible changes that will make all of us safer.’ What do you think?”
“That’s perfect. Couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“Great, we’ll get it posted to your social channels and then monitor them for commentary.”
“Thanks, Lilia. You always make me look good.”
“That’s my job.”
“I left a message for Roni today and told her we’ll hold the job for as long as she needs us to. I know that puts an extra burden on you—”
“I don’t mind at all. You should have the person you want in that role, as she’ll often be speaking for you.”
“Thank you for understanding. We’ll see you and Harry on Christmas Eve?”
“We wouldn’t miss it for anything. Who gets the Lincoln Bedroom?”
“We have a plan for deciding, which will provide much laughter.”
“I can’t wait.”
“See you then, if not before.”
“Sounds good.”
Sam so appreciated the wonderful, competent professional known as Lilia for running her offices as second and first lady with such wisdom and attention to detail.
With a full-time job outside the White House, Sam didn’t make it easy for her staff, but they managed each situation with aplomb that astounded her.
When she walked into the Homicide pit twenty minutes later, she was surprised to find Gonzo still there. “Hey, what’re you doing here long after your tour ended?”
“I’m going to the meeting.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Is it?”
“Of course it is. We’d love to have you there again.”
“Thanks. I figured it couldn’t hurt anything with the trial coming up.”
Sam leaned against O’Brien’s desk, facing Gonzo, who turned toward her. When he made sergeant, he’d chosen to remain in the pit rather than take one of the offices. “How’re you holding up with the trial looming?”
“As well as can be expected, I guess. I’ve been meeting with Hope and Faith to make sure my testimony is rock solid.” The Assistant U.S. Attorneys would prosecute Arnold’s accused killer. Grimacing, Gonzo added, “Nothing like being the only witness to the murder of your partner.”
“It’s a very tough thing to have to do, Gonzo. I hope you’ll reach out if there’s anything we can do to support you.”
“I will. Thanks. It’s just something I have to power through to get justice for him.”
“As long as it’s not at your expense. You’ve been doing so great.”
“I’m a lot stronger than I was a few months ago and determined not to let this be a setback.”
“I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that.”
“It’s a daily effort not to let the darkness win, but I’m fighting that battle for myself as well as Christina and Alex and you guys. I’ve got too many people counting on me.”
“I’m really proud of you. I try to put myself in your shoes, and I just can’t do it, even for a second.”
“I pray that none of you ever have to know what it’s like. We’re going to get justice for AJ, and we’re going to do everything we can to keep his memory alive, starting with the road race in the spring to raise money for after-school programs.”
“Let me know what I can do to help with that.”
“I will.” He glanced at his watch. “We’d better get upstairs before Dr. Trulo sends out an APB for you.”
“I’m sure he regrets taking on this project with me. I can barely remember my own name these days, let alone when the grief group is meeting.”
“You’re holding up okay, though, right?”
Sam appreciated him asking. Over the last year, they’d learned the hard way to keep a closer eye on each other during difficult times. “I am, but thanks for checking.”
“It’s a lot on top of a lot after losing your dad. Don’t let it overwhelm you the way I did.”
“I’m working on trying to stay focused on the immediate moment and not let my mind get too far down the road. Kids, husband, work, friends, first lady duties, grief group… One thing at a time.”
“I still can’t believe you’re the first lady and Nick is the president,” Gonzo said with a chuckle.
“How the hell do you think we feel?”
“It’s got to be insane.”
“In every possible way. I’m thankful I get to still come here every day where things make sense to me—most of the time, anyway.”
“Anything new with the Tappen case?”
“We’ve discovered she had long-term affairs with two men and one-night stands with two others after the spark went out of her marriage.”
“Huh, that’s interesting.”
“From what I knew of her before I knew she had affairs, I would’ve bet my life that she was the type to suffer through marriage difficulties, but not to stray.
My dad once said that no one knows what goes on inside a marriage except the two people who are in it, and that’s the truth.
Bob would tell you they were solid. Pam apparently didn’t agree, but stayed in it for her kids and to keep the family together. ”
“Life is so fucking complicated.”
“It really is.”
“Do you like either of the long-term guys for her murder?”
“Nope.”
“What about their spouses?”
“One of them was a widower when they got together. The more recent guy’s wife was shocked speechless to hear he was having an affair with her.”
“So you still don’t have a person of interest?”
“Nope.”
“Keep digging. You’ll get there. In the meantime, Jeannie has been working on the Carisma Deasly case and finding that Stahl never did even the barest minimum when she was reported missing.”
“What I want to know is where the commanders were when he was ignoring the report of a missing teenager.” Sam realized that question might encompass her own father if the timing lined up, but it was still a question that would need an answer.
“I think it was at a time when they were severely shorthanded around here. Detectives were working alone, which made it easier to get away with shit.”
“That would explain it, I guess. What time is it?”
Gonzo checked his watch. “Five to six.”
“We’d better get upstairs before Dr. Trulo thinks I forgot, which I didn’t.”
“Did he have to remind you?”
“That’s not the point.”
Gonzo lost it laughing as he followed her up the stairs. “Crazy about Ramsey, huh?”
“Yeah, I can’t believe I no longer have to worry about running into him up here.”
“I know, but you need to worry about running into him elsewhere.”
She flashed him a cheeky grin. “That’s where Secret Service protection comes in handy.” They stepped into a room packed with people. “Holy crap, Batman.”
“No kidding. Looks like your group’s a hit, Lieutenant.”
Sam saw a swarm of faces she recognized from past cases, people who’d come last time and some new ones, including Charles and Diana Weber, parents of Tara Weber, who’d been murdered recently.
“It’s nice to see you again,” Sam said as she accepted hugs from them.
“You as well, Lieutenant.”
“How’s the baby?” she asked of Tara’s son, who was a newborn when she was killed.
“He’s doing wonderfully,” Diana said. “My sister insisted on watching him so we could come tonight. She thought it would be helpful to us.”
“I hope it is. There’s a community here of people who’ve been through the same thing you have, and it helps to be with people who understand.”
“We appreciate everything you did to get justice for Tara,” Charles said. “We still can’t believe her friends were involved. It’ll take the rest of our lives to understand how two people she loved so much could’ve betrayed her the way they did.”
“I’m so sorry again for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Diana said, softly. “We’ll get through this. Somehow.”
“Your grandson will be a great source of joy to you.”
“Oh, he already is.”
Sam caught the eye of her and Nick’s close friend Derek Kavanaugh. “Excuse me while I say hello to some other friends.”
“Of course,” Diana said. “Thank you again for making this resource available to us.”
“Thank you for coming.” Sam went to hug Derek. He had dirty blond hair, brown eyes and a wiry but muscular build. “Good to see you here.”
“I would’ve told you I didn’t need it, but the holidays bring it all back.” He shrugged. “The last couple of weeks have been rough.”
Sam hugged him again. “I wish there was more we could do for you.”
“Everyone does all they can, and I wouldn’t have survived losing Vic without you guys and the rest of my friends.”
“We’ll always be here for you and Maeve.”
“That helps. We’re looking forward to Christmas Eve at the White House. Maeve wants to know if Santa will find her there.”
“He absolutely will. Tell her we sent him a very long letter with a list of all the good boys and girls who’ll be in the residence on Christmas morning so he knows where to find them.”
“I will,” he said, chuckling. “She’ll be happy to hear that.”
“You’ve heard from Gideon, right?” Sam asked him.
“I have. He’s the best.”
“He really is.” The chief usher at the White House was working with each of the parents who’d been invited to ensure that Santa’s visit was covered for each child.
“We really appreciate you inviting my parents, too. They would’ve been disappointed to miss seeing Maeve open her presents on Christmas morning.”
“Of course they’re invited. We wouldn’t have wanted them to miss that.”
“If everyone could please take a seat,” Dr. Trulo said from the front of the crowded room.
Sam noticed several Patrol officers carrying in additional chairs to accommodate the overflow crowd. “We’re going to need a bigger boat,” she said to Derek.