Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
N ick walked her to the foyer where they would part company.
Sam was about to head out the door when the vice president, Gretchen Henderson, approached them, wearing a sharp-looking red suit with sky-high heels that put her endless legs on full display. Sam suspected that was intentional on her part—she’d be one to play up her best features.
“Nice to see you, Sam.”
“You as well,” Sam said with a coolness only Nick would notice.
“Are you heading for the Situation Room, Mr. President?”
“I am. I’ll walk with you.”
“Excellent.”
As Gretchen brushed by her, all glossy glamour next to Sam’s workaday jeans and running shoes, Sam wanted to call out for the rest of this day and stick around to protect what was hers, even if he didn’t need protecting.
Nick blew Sam a kiss as he took off with Gretchen, moving quickly toward whatever new crisis awaited his attention.
If there was one thing in her life Sam was certain of, it was that she never needed to worry about him and other women .
But any time she laid eyes on Gretchen Henderson, every Spidey sense she had went on full alert. Gretchen had never said or done anything to make Sam distrust her. It was just a feeling, and she’d learned to trust those instincts.
Knowing Nick would start an international incident before he’d ever do anything to endanger their marriage, Sam walked toward the exit confident in him and them, but with another reminder to keep an eye on the VP.
When she was in the back seat of the Secret Service SUV, Sam called Freddie. “Where are we?”
“Back at HQ, and Agent Truver from NCIS is here. I told her Gonzo is in charge of the Rodriguez investigation, but she wants to see you and only you. I told her you’d be back shortly, and she’s waiting in your office.”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
“I’ll let her know.”
“What’s she like?”
“Seems nice enough, but she didn’t have much to say to us. Said she’d wait for you.”
“Anything else popping?”
“We’re running Juan’s financials and have requested warrants for his phone and apartment.”
“Do we have the phone?”
“We have a phone that was recovered with the body. Archie is waiting on the warrant to get started. How did Nick take it?”
“Hard, even if he’d begun to expect it wasn’t going to end well. I was with him when he called Juan’s mother to tell her that her only child has been murdered.”
“Ugh, I can’t even.”
“It was as horrible as you can imagine. He’s wrecked over this. We’ve got to get him and Juan’s mother some answers as quickly as possible.”
“I hear you. We’re on it.”
“Be there soon.”
Sam slapped the phone closed and stared out the window at the city rushing by in a palette of color, people and cars. So many cars.
“Another tough one,” Vernon said.
Sam’s gaze met his in the mirror. “Yeah. Nick is beside himself.”
“As expected. Juan was an outstanding young officer and was thrilled to be working in close proximity to the president.”
“Nick thought the world of him.”
“And vice versa. I got to know Juan a little over the last year, and while he was honored to work for President Nelson, he felt a true affinity for President Cappuano. He once told me that he appreciated how humble and normal your husband is despite the office he holds.”
Sam smiled. “That’s a wonderful summary of him. I’m worried about him, though. He’s convinced Juan’s murder is tied to the situation with the Joint Chiefs, which leads right back to him and his presidency.”
“Juan wouldn’t want him to blame himself for other people’s actions.”
“I said nearly that very thing to him just now.”
“Keep reminding him of that over these next days and weeks. It’ll help him to hear it.”
“I hope so.”
While Vernon dodged the endless traffic congestion, Sam stared out the window and watched the city she’d called home all her life go by in a bustle of activity. Her earliest memories included Saturday morning doughnut runs with her dad, followed by a couple of hours at HQ while he caught up on paperwork from the week before.
Her mother hadn’t liked him taking her there, but she’d loved it from the start. He’d said she asked at least a million questions per week, and he’d answered every one of them with more patience than she would’ve had for a kid who never shut up. Her interest in police work had been sparked by those Saturday mornings with him .
Sam hadn’t thought about that in a long time, and the memory brought back warm thoughts of her late father. She missed him so much all the time, but especially at times like this when he’d have words of wisdom about how to help Nick through this difficult situation.
While Nick hadn’t known Juan for long, the close bond they’d formed had led Juan to take a huge risk on Nick’s behalf. That kind of loyalty had become a precious commodity to Nick as he’d tried to determine whom he could trust among the officials he’d inherited from the Nelson administration. So far, the secretary of State, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the AG had been forced to resign for unethical—and illegal—behavior.
In all her many years living adjacent to the national seat of power, she hadn’t given the running of the federal government much thought until she’d had a front-row seat to Nick’s work, first in the Senate, then as vice president and now as president. She’d decided she’d been better off not knowing so much. The things he dealt with on an average day boggled her mind, but somehow, he handled it with aplomb, class and grace that she greatly admired.
God knew she couldn’t do it.
The thought of her as president made her laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Vernon asked.
“I was thinking it’s a good thing Nick is the president and not me.”
“I think that’s a good thing for all of us.” Vernon’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he looked at her in the mirror.
Quigley cracked up.
“You have been spending too much time with Freddie Cruz.”
“He’s taught me well,” Vernon said. “What brought on these deep thoughts about you being the president?”
“I can’t believe what he has to deal with on any given day. It can be anything from a bridge collapse in Minnesota to a fire in California to an avalanche in the mountains to violent protests in Chicago to a pipeline running through indigenous land to railway workers threatening to strike. It goes on and on and on without letting up. Every issue is as important as the one before, and every decision is filled with consequences bigger than anything any of us have ever faced. I worry about his head exploding or something equally awful happening to him when the stress gets to be too much.”
“He’s young and healthy, smart as a whip and surrounded by the best-possible advisers helping him manage it all.”
“I know, but I still worry it’ll be too much for him and that I won’t see it coming.”
“You’ll see it. No one is more tuned in to him than you are.”
“I hope so.”
“You are, Sam. If he were buckling under the pressure, you’d see it. This situation with Juan is horrible, and it’ll break his heart, but he’ll be okay.”
“Thank you for the reassurance.”
“Any time.”
“Vernon is right,” Quigley said. “You two are hashtag couple goals.”
“What does that even mean?”
The two of them lost it laughing.
“Come on, Sam,” Vernon said. “Even I know what that means, and I’m a T. rex.”
“Well, maybe you can explain it to me, T. rex.”
“Yes, Vernon, let’s hear you explain it,” Quigley said with a smirk.
“It’s when a couple are so awesome that everyone wants to be like them, and they’re given the couple goals hashtag on social media.”
“Oh, I see,” Sam said. “I think.”
“How’d I do, Quigs?”
“It was an admirable effort, sir.”
“Is he patronizing me?” Vernon asked Sam, glancing at the mirror .
“I fear he might be, in the same way my grasshopper would’ve patronized me.”
“We’ve lost control of all our grasshoppers.”
Sam laughed. “I lost control of mine years ago.” And she felt better, she realized, after talking it out with Vernon—and Quigley. “Thank you for the conversation, the levity, the friendship. I appreciate it very much, and Agent Quigley, I hope you’ll respect the sanctity of the SUV.”
“Of course, ma’am. What happens in the SUV stays in the SUV.”
“Always a pleasure,” Vernon said with a warm smile.
“You have to protect me. You don’t have to be my friend, too.”
“It’s so much nicer to be friends if we’re spending our days together, right?”
“Very much so.”
They pulled up to the morgue entrance a few minutes later.
“Thanks for the lift.”
“Have a good rest of the day at the office, dear.”
Sam chuckled as Vernon held the door for her. “We’ll be heading out again shortly.”
“We’re always ready.”
“Thanks.”
Sam popped into the morgue to check in with Lindsey, who had Juan’s body on the table, thankfully covered by a sheet at the moment. “What’ve you got, Doc?”
“He suffered severe injuries throughout his body. I’m trying to narrow down which one killed him.”
Sam fought through a tsunami of emotions as she listened to Lindsey. The person who’d killed Juan had made sure he suffered. Until his killer or killers were brought to justice, the Metro PD worked for Juan—and his family.
“I’ll get you something as soon as I have it.”
“Thanks, Linds. His mother and family will be eager for answers. ”
“I’m on it. Uh, I hate to mention this when we’re both busy with far more important things…”
“Mention what?”
“Bridesmaid dress fittings.”
It took everything Sam had not to grimace. She forced a smile for her close friend. “Of course. When do you need me?”
“Thursday around six p.m. at Shelby’s studio in Georgetown?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Should I remind you again closer to the day?”
“That would be very wise.”
Lindsey smiled. “Will do. I know this is the silliest, stupidest thing ever, but?—”
Sam put a hand on her friend’s arm. “There’s absolutely nothing stupid or silly about your wedding to the love of your life. It’s my great honor to be one of your bridesmaids.”
“Thank you. I’ve got my fitting this afternoon. I’m unreasonably excited to see my dress again.”
“Enjoy every minute of this, Linds. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
“I’m trying. Thanks for being part of it.”
“My pleasure. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“I’ll be here.”
After Lindsey’s recent health scare, Sam would never again take her friend’s presence down the hall for granted. Following the sudden, traumatic losses of her dad and brother-in-law in recent months, Sam had gotten painful reminders of how precious life was and how critical it was to be there for the ones you loved.
She loved Lindsey.
Did she love being a bridesmaid? Absolutely not, but since there was nothing she wouldn’t do for Lindsey, she’d happily wear whatever dress her friend chose and stand by her side for the biggest day of her life and Terry’s. They were a great couple who deserved all the good things. Nick was excited to be his chief of staff’s best man.
Their wedding was something to look forward to this summer, but before they could get to fun in the sun, they had to figure out who’d killed Juan—and why.
Sam stepped into her pit, which was a beehive of activity with Detective Cameron Green standing over Gonzo’s shoulder as he pointed to the screen of Gonzo’s computer. Freddie stood off to the side, listening to Cam and Gonzo while Matt O’Brien sipped a soda in his cubicle.
“What goes on, gentlemen?”
They startled at the sound of her voice, which gave her great pleasure. Not that she’d ever tell them that.
Freddie used his chin to gesture to her office. “NCIS is getting impatient.”
Sam rolled her eyes. Playing nice with others would never come naturally to her.
Sam stepped into her office, where a cool blonde with a chin-length bob and a don’t-fuck-with-me expression awaited her. Sam usually appreciated that quality in other female law enforcement officers. She hoped this one would be one to admire and not revile. “Hi there, I’m Lieutenant Sam Holland.”
The other woman stood to shake her hand. “Carleen Truver, special agent-in-charge, NCIS.”
Sam appreciated that there was no first lady fawning or none of the other nonsense that had become routine since Nick became president. Truver had earned hard-to-come-by points with Sam right out of the gate.
Sam went around the desk to sit. “Sorry to keep you waiting. As you can imagine, Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez’s murder has struck close to home for my husband and me.”
“I understand. I need you to come with me.”
For a second, Sam was too stunned to respond. Most people didn’t give her orders. She gave them orders. She tipped her head. “To where?”
“I can’t disclose that. It’s vital that you accompany me immediately.”
“I have a Secret Service detail. I can’t go anywhere without them.”
“Then I’ll go with you. Either way, we need to leave right away.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to give me more information before I go anywhere.”
“I’m unable to do that.” She stared at Sam with sharp blue eyes and never blinked or wavered. “I’m here to help you get answers for Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez’s family and friends. In order to do that, I need you to come with me.”
“Could I see some identification?”
Truver produced a badge that she handed across the desk.
Sam studied it carefully and determined it to be legit. She returned it to the other woman.
“This is highly unusual.”
“I understand.”
“What am I supposed to tell my team?”
“That you’re going into the field with me.”
“They’ll want to know why.”
Her left eyebrow rose ever so slightly. “They question your authority?”
“No, we work collaboratively, so they’ll wonder why I’m leaving right when we’ve begun a new investigation.”
“You’re leaving for that investigation.” Truver checked her watch. “We need to get going.”
“Can you tell me where we’re going?”
“Once we’re on the way.”
Everything about this was bizarre, but Sam’s innate sense of curiosity won out. She stood, grabbed her coat and radio and went to the pit to tell Freddie she’d be back in a bit.
“Where’re you going? ”
“Into the field with Agent Truver.”
Freddie eyed the agent, who’d followed Sam out of the office, suspiciously.
“I’ll check in shortly.”
“Please do.”
Sam had taught him to be as wary about strange circumstances as she was. “This way.” She led Truver toward the morgue. “What’re we telling my detail?”
“We’ll give them a destination and then ask for privacy.”
When he saw Sam come through the morgue door, Vernon jumped out of the SUV to open the back door for her. “This is NCIS Special Agent-in-Charge Carleen Truver.”
“May I see your badge, please?” Vernon asked her.
Truver handed it over.
Vernon studied it with far more intense scrutiny than Sam had given it before he returned it to the agent. “Where to?”
“Navy Yard DC,” Truver said.
Vernon nodded and waited for them to get settled in the back seat before he closed the door.
“May we have privacy, please?” Truver asked.
Vernon shot Sam a look in the mirror.
She nodded.
He put up the divider to seal them off from the front seat.
“What’s this about?”
“What you’re about to learn is top secret and in the highest interest of national security.”
“Does my husband know?”
“He doesn’t and won’t be told until the time is right.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m not at liberty to say anything further until we’re inside a secure facility.”
This had already become the craziest workday she’d ever had, and Sam suspected she hadn’t seen anything yet.