Chapter Thirteen
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A fter they’d turned over the Myersons to Patrol, Sam and Freddie returned to her SUV.
Vernon opened the door for her.
“Thanks, Vernon.”
“You’re more than welcome. How’s it going?”
“Taking an interesting turn.”
“Is it, though?” Freddie asked.
Sam turned to him. “Something you want to say?”
“I feel like you goaded that kid into acting like a suspect.”
“ What? I didn’t have to do anything to make her look suspicious. She did that all on her own by fully sharing the animosity between her and her mother.”
“That’s your opinion.”
“Sure is.”
They didn’t say another word on the ride back to HQ. Could this day get any better?
When she got back to the pit, Agent Truver was waiting in Sam’s office. She closed the door behind Sam. “I need your help.”
“I’m not inclined to do anything for you. Your secrets have gotten me in deep shit with most of the people I associate with every day.”
“This situation is so incredibly fraught, Lieutenant. I’m sure you can appreciate being part of a months-long investigation that’s in danger of blowing up in our faces and letting a traitor get away with conspiracy to commit murder, among other things.”
Sam sat behind her desk, thinking of the Johnson case that had, in fact, blown up in her face when a child was killed during a raid she’d overseen after months undercover. “I’m listening.”
“We’re so close. So, so close to charging the former chief of Naval Operations with multiple felonies, including conspiracy to commit murder and treason. We’ve built an airtight case that shows him to be the ringleader of the plot to overthrow the Cappuano administration.”
Sam appreciated that Truver didn’t say your husband’s administration . It conveyed professional respect that could be hard to come by these days when her multiple hats blurred the lines between personal and professional.
Truver leaned forward, her expression earnest. “This person has been collecting a huge salary as a top military adviser to the president while plotting to disregard the Constitution of the United States and the oath they took to defend it.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I need you and anyone who’s discovered the truth to keep up the ruse for a few more days.”
“A reporter I deal with at the Star called me earlier to say he’s hearing rumblings that Juan might be alive.”
Truver hadn’t expected that. “What’d you tell him?”
“That I have no info on that. I think I held him off.”
“I’ll look into that separately.”
“What about Juan’s mother and family?”
“His mother has spoken to Juan and will be going forward with planning a funeral and acting the part of the grieving mother.”
“And the rest of his family?”
“They understand the assignment. It’s critical to our investigation that the people closest to Juan act as if he’s been murdered.”
“You certainly don’t expect my husband to speak at a fake funeral, I hope.”
“The funeral will be delayed by bureaucratic wrangling and scheduling concerns with POTUS.”
Sam sat back in her chair, relieved to hear that Nick wouldn’t be asked to participate in a fake dog and pony show that could come back to bite him in the ass.
“Will you help me keep the lid on this, Lieutenant?”
“I’ll ask my people to keep the information confidential. I can’t and won’t ask them to lie if it comes to that.”
“Understood. Thank you. The whole story will be public before long, or so I hope. In the meantime, it’s essential that the subject of our investigation believes Juan Rodriguez is dead and can’t testify against him.”
“We’ll do what we can to assist you.”
“Thank you very much. I know this is a highly unusual situation?—”
“To say the least.”
“Trust me, I never expected to be building a case for conspiracy to commit murder and treason against an admiral, but here we are.”
“Good luck with the grand finale.”
“Thank you. I’m going to need it.”
After she left, Sam picked up the phone to call Lindsey.
“What’s up?” Lindsey asked with none of the usual friendly warmth in her voice.
“Agent Truver from NCIS just stopped by to update me. She said they’re close to an arrest of the former chief of Naval Operations, an admiral, for conspiracy to commit murder and treason, among other charges. She told me Juan has spoken to his mother and stressed the importance to her that she continue to appear to be a grieving mother planning a funeral. She asked that the rest of us maintain the ruse until an arrest is made imminently.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope, that’s it.”
“Got it.”
The line went dead.
Motherfucker. It’d been a while since she’d had multiple close friends pissed at her at the same time, and it totally sucked. She valued the relationships she’d built on and off the job with her colleagues and hated that she’d disappointed them.
She got up and went to the door. “Everyone in the conference room in five.”
When they were gathered in the room with the door closed, Sam conveyed the update from Truver. “It’s critical to the NCIS investigation that their target continues to believe Juan has been murdered.”
“We won’t say anything about it,” Gonzo said, “and we wouldn’t have if you’d told us the truth from the outset.”
She held his gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t. I honestly didn’t know what to do when they cited national security concerns. They were adamant that no one know.”
“That shouldn’t have included us,” Freddie said.
“You’re absolutely right, and I apologize.”
“I think it’s somewhat egregious that you were put in this position to begin with,” Neveah said.
Sam wanted to thank her—and kiss her face. Finally, someone was seeing this situation from her point of view.
“They were using you due to your position as our commander and the first lady,” Neveah added.
“I tend to agree,” Sam said. “In addition to Juan insisting I be told the truth, I believe they were hoping I’d tell Nick about it—well, that and I was required to investigate Juan’s murder, which could’ve messed up their case.”
“Did you tell Nick?” Gonzo asked.
“I’m not going to answer that for many important reasons. There’re some things I simply can’t discuss with anyone, even my closest people, which you certainly are. And that’s one of them.”
“Fair enough,” Cam said. “We’re not entitled to know what goes on between you and your husband, even if you are POTUS and FLOTUS.”
“We’re walking a fine line all the time, but especially since this situation with the Joint Chiefs blew up. I hope you understand… In a perfect world, I’d share everything with you. Unfortunately, the world I live in is not perfect like that.”
“I couldn’t do what you’re doing,” Matt said. “No way. The scrutiny, the Secret Service, the nonstop demands… I give you both credit for holding it together.”
“Thank you. We’re trying. I blew it this time, guys, and I apologize again for lying to you. That won’t happen again.” She looked at each of them, seeking eye contact. “Are we good?”
“Yeah,” Gonzo said. “We’re good.”
Sam stared at her partner. “Freddie?”
“All good,” he said, but he didn’t meet her gaze.
It would take a minute to get back on track with her best friend, which was fine. Whatever it took to fix things with him, she’d do it.
“Now, back to Myerson. Where are we with the family’s lawyer?”
“He’s in court until later this afternoon,” Freddie said. “He’ll be here as soon as they adjourn.”
Sam nodded. “What else have we got?”
Cameron used a remote control to put documents on the screen at the front of the room. “Some interesting social media posts from the older daughter, talking about how parents ruin everything for their kids. ”
As she wondered how he’d managed to put the posts on the screen, Sam zeroed in on the content of the posts.
“Go back to the one before.”
Cam clicked backward.
“Look at the comment from Zeke Bellamy, Zoe’s boyfriend.” It said, Hang tough, babe. You haven’t done anything wrong. Acting on a hunch, she said, “Let’s pick him up. I want to have a chat with him.”
“We’ll go,” Cam said, including Matt.
Sam handed him the piece of paper with the kid’s address that Zoe had given her earlier. “Thank you.” After they left the room, she said, “Let’s take a deep dive into Zeke and see who we’re dealing with there.”
“On it,” Gonzo said as he led the others out of the room.
“Cruz,” Sam said. “A minute, please?”
Freddie turned back.
“Close the door.”
He did as she asked.
“Say what’s on your mind.”
He gave Sam a look full of hurt and betrayal. “I can’t believe you lied about this. I really can’t.”
“I understand. I was very confused when I returned from my initial meeting with NCIS. Before I’d had time to fully process it, I was expected to step into the investigation. I did what I thought was right at the time, but I was wrong to lie to you and the others. I wish I hadn’t done that.”
“I admit they put you in a bad spot, but after everything we’ve been through, it’s shocking to me that you would lie to me, of all people. Don’t you know that I’d protect you with everything I have, right up to my life, if it came to that?”
Moved by the starting of tears in his warm brown eyes, she got up and went to him. “I do know that, and P.S., don’t you dare ever endanger your life for me, since I wouldn’t want to go on without you.”
“Likewise. ”
She stepped closer to him, put her hand flat on his chest. “I’m not sure when you became my best friend, but I hope you know that you are, and I’m very sorry I didn’t tell you the truth about this from the get-go. I should have. National security or not, I trust you with everything. More than anything, I hate that I hurt you. I won’t let that happen again.”
He hugged her.
She hugged him back. “Let’s get to work.”
“Sam.”
“Yes?”
“You’re my very best friend, too.”
“I know. And I didn’t bait that kid into acting guilty.”
He grinned. “Yes, you did.”
Sam followed him out of the room. “Didn’t.”
“Did.”
“Children, are you fighting?” Captain Malone asked when he entered the pit.
“We’re debating ,” Sam said with a smile for Freddie, relieved to have cleared the air with him. “What’s up?”
“I come bearing warrants for the Myerson family electronics. Gonzales asked me to request one for the boyfriend, Zeke Bellamy, too.”
“Excellent, thank you. Detective Cruz, will you please go relieve the family members of their phones and deliver them to Lieutenant Archelotta?”
Freddie took a copy of the printed warrant from Malone. “Will do.”
“Assume Haggerty and the CSU team have the laptops and other devices covered?” Sam asked Malone.
“You assume correctly. They’re still processing the scene.”
“What’s going on at Stahl’s house?” Sam asked hesitantly. She tried to never think about the bodies that’d been found there or how those victims had been murdered by a man who’d taken the same oath to uphold the law that she had.
“The forensic team will be wrapping up their work this week. Then we’ll sit down and go over everything we’ve got and meet with the U.S. Attorney’s team about additional charges.”
“Any word on who the new USA will be?”
“I’m hearing the president plans to appoint Catherine McDermott. She’ll have to be confirmed by the Senate.”
Again, how bizarre was it to hear one of her colleagues refer to an action by the president, who happened to be Sam’s husband? “What do we know about her?”
“She’s the former Attorney General of Oregon, known for being extremely by the book with a take-no-prisoners approach.”
“Charming.” Sam glanced over her shoulder at her team hard at work on the Myerson case. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.”
“Your place or mine?”
“Yours is closer.”
They went into Sam’s office, and she closed the door before taking the seat behind her desk.
“What’s on your mind?”
“You’re up to speed on what’s gone down with Juan Rodriguez?”
“I am. It’s unbelievable.”
“It is, but I wanted to talk to you about something else.” She tried to collect her thoughts.
“Yesterday, when I went to the church to observe the operation involving Judge Sawyer, I was in the Emergency Response trailer where Captain Ruiz holds court.”
“Speaking of charming.”
“Yes, she’s a piece of work who doesn’t think too much of me, apparently.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She treated me like I was radioactive or something, and as I watched and listened to the operation go down outside the church, I felt incredibly impotent. While my team was out there putting themselves in danger, I was locked away in the trailer, unable to help them because my face would ruin everything if the perp got a good enough look at it.”
“And yet, you were the one who ended up arresting him.”
“That was a lucky break.”
“A lucky break that led to the arrest of the man who murdered a U.S. Attorney, who happened to be our friend and colleague, and shot our friend and colleague Agent Hill.”
“I’m glad we got him. Don’t get me wrong.”
“ You got him. There was no we in the arrest.”
“The whole team worked on that case, put themselves in danger to see it through. He was at the church and made us. He could’ve shot and killed Cori Sawyer or any member of our team, while I sat on the sidelines, out of harm’s way, with my lead Secret Service agent by my side.”
“What’re you saying, Sam?”
“It doesn’t sit right with me, being off the front lines while continuing to command my squad. Asking them to do things I can no longer do myself.”
“Do you think they care?”
“No, they probably don’t, but I do. How long will it be before they resent me for making all our jobs harder and much less safe than they used to be?”
“How are they less safe?”
“People recognize them because they’re always with me. That’s especially true for Cruz and Gonzales, but the others, too. If something ever happened to one of them because of their association with me… How would I live with that?”
“Have you talked to Trulo about this stuff?”
“Not yet.”
“Maybe you should.”
“I will, but what do you think? Am I crazy to keep doing this job while being first lady? Am I putting people I love in danger by showing up here every day?”
“I can’t say whether you’re crazy to try to do both, but I can assure you that you’re not putting your team in danger by showing up to work. What you do here keeps people safer, Sam.”
“But does it risk the people I do it with?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Is it wrong for me to be off the front lines in the safety of the comms trailer while they’re wearing vests and risking their lives?”
“If you asked them, would they say they’d prefer to have you in the comms truck than not there at all?”
“I don’t know.”
“Maybe you should ask.”
“I guess.”
“I can’t possibly know what it’s like for you these days, but I can try to put myself in your position, and I’d feel the same way you do about having to sit out the dangerous stuff. But that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to make very valuable contributions, including arresting the man who murdered Tom Forrester.”
“Ruiz has a beef with me.”
“It’s the same old thing, Sam. She wants to be you.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
“Of course it is. Everyone wants a career like you’ve had, and very few will.”
“Really? Because this career is not the one I set out to have. If I had my way, no one would know who I am.”
“Then you should’ve married someone else.”
“Which is unthinkable, of course.” She leaned forward on the desk. “If I tell you something, do you promise to never repeat it?”
“Of course.”
“You know how much I love Nick. If it’s a choice between him and all the madness that comes with him and this place? I pick him every time.”
“Understood.”
“It’s just that I had no idea what it would be like to try to do this job with a high-profile spouse who made me famous along with him.”
“How would anyone know what that’s like until it happens?”
“I’m not—in any way—expressing regret about who I chose to marry.”
“I know that, Sam. Thanks to SNL , the whole world knows how devoted you are to each other.”
Sam cringed. “Freaking SNL .”
“I was in the car the other day when ‘My Humps’ came on. I had to pull over because I was laughing so hard.”
Glaring at him, she said, “That’s great. Thanks for sharing.”
His laughter filled her small office. “Sorry,” he said, wheezing. “It’s so flipping funny.”
“Sure it is.”
He cleared his throat and made an obvious effort to get himself together.
“Will you do something for me, Cap?”
“Anything for you, kid.”
“If the day comes when you think I’m more trouble than I’m worth around here, or that my presence is endangering the people I work with, will you tell me?”
“That’s not going to?—”
“Will you please just tell me if that day comes?”
“Yeah, I will, but today’s not that day. I want you to consider the fact that the only reason you were in that comms truck to begin with is that you had the brilliant idea to lure Harlan Peckham out of hiding by using his next obvious victim. You put the whole thing together. You made the connection between Forrester, Hill and Judge Sawyer and the case that was made against his parents. Without you, we’d still be trying to figure out who had a reason to kill Tom. You make a difference here every single day. I know it's harder now, but you’re figuring it out, and those people out there… They’d kill for you. ”
His kind words touched her deeply. “You’ll tell me if it becomes untenable.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
“Any time.”
As he was leaving the office, Freddie came to the door. “Myerson’s attorney is here.”
“Let’s go have a chat.”