Chapter Fifteen #2
Sam took a step back, giving Malone the floor.
“Three white kids went missing,” a reporter asked, “and we’ve got the FBI and Marshals working the case. What do you have to say to the parents of missing children of color who seem to get a fraction of that effort?”
“First of all, Tomas Cambra is Hispanic, and second of all, we give our all to every missing-person case we investigate,” Malone said.
“Some are higher-profile due to a variety of circumstances, but every one of them is important to us. Thank you for your patience tonight. We’ll have more for you in the morning. ”
With his hand on her arm, Malone steered her toward The Beast, which was positioned outside the Emergency Department doors. As he turned her over to Brant, he said, “Get some rest. I’ll text you any updates. Come back when you’re ready to.”
“Thanks, Cap, for everything always.”
“You got it.”
Brant held the door for her to get into the car, where Nick waited for her with open arms.
He gathered her in close to him and held on as the car began to move toward home. “You did good out there. Most of the networks carried it live.”
“I hate that this has blown up into such a big story because of Ethan’s connection to us, but I hope all the publicity leads us to Luna.” She couldn’t bear to think of the potential long-term implications for all three kids.
“I do, too.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that about it being such a big story. I don’t blame you for any of this.”
“I know you don’t, but it’s just another example of the ripple effect. I was relieved to hear the investigation isn’t showing any connection to us.”
“Ethan said the father of the kid named Brecken was pissed that Brecken didn’t know Ethan was our nephew. He said they argued over that. He heard the father say, ‘You didn’t know he was the president’s nephew?’”
“Probably came as a big shock to them after my statement to the media last night.”
Sam’s phone rang with a call from her stepmother, Celia. “Hi there.”
“Sam! I’ve just heard the news about Ethan. We were on an excursion and hadn’t seen any news all day. Is he—”
“He’s safe, reunited with Tracy, Mike and Brooke and not in any kind of trouble.”
“That’s a huge relief. How terrified you all must’ve been.”
“It’s been rough. We didn’t call you because there was nothing you could do, and we didn’t want to ruin the end of your vacation.”
“I would’ve been distraught for sure.”
“I’m heading home now to get some sleep. I’ve lost track of how long I’ve been up.”
“Please give all the Hogans my love and tell them I’m so thankful to hear that Ethan is okay.”
“I’ll do that. Are you still due home soon? I feel like you’ve been gone forever.”
“Me, too! Yes, we land at five on Monday at Dulles, so I should be home by dinnertime.”
“The kids will be thrilled to see you—and I will, too.”
“See you then. Love you all.”
“Love you, too.”
After Sam ended the call, she called GW, identified herself and asked to speak to Tracy in the ER.
A few minutes passed before Tracy came on the line.
“Hey, have you talked to Mom or Angela to update them?”
“Brooke texted them.”
“Oh good. Celia called to say she heard the news and is thankful he’s ok.
“Glad to hear from Celia.”
“How’s he doing?”
“He’s sleeping right now. Mike, Brooke and Nate are going back to Celia’s. I’ll stay with him until he’s released in the morning.”
“Okay, let me know if you need anything.”
“I need my phone back.”
“I’ll see what I can do about that.”
“Thanks for all you did to help.”
“Love you all.”
“Love you, too.”
After she texted Archie to ask about returning phones to the Hogans and Cambras, Sam closed her phone and her eyes, resting her head on Nick’s shoulder.
She couldn’t recall the last time she’d been this tired.
The days of being single and working around the clock seemed like a long time ago now that they’d been married more than two years and had a family to care for.
In the past, she’d regularly pulled all-nighters if the demands of a case called for it.
These days, she hardly ever did that, preferring instead to turn things over to the night shift to keep the investigation moving until she returned in the morning.
“We’re home, babe,” Nick said.
She forced her eyes open and blinked the White House into view.
When the president was in the car, the ushers came outside to greet them rather than waiting inside the door the way they did for her.
“We’re relieved to hear your nephew is safe,” Harold said as he held the door for them.
“Thank you, Harold,” Nick said. “We’re relieved as well.”
“And he’s in good health?”
“He is,” Nick said.
“Excellent news.”
Sam was thankful that Nick answered the questions and that he helped her out of her coat and steered her toward the elevator, rather than the stairs, to the second floor. In the elevator, she rested her head on his shoulder again. “I want to see the kids.”
“In the morning. You’ve got about three seconds of steam left before you fall over.”
“It might be down to one second.”
He kept an arm around her as he guided her into their suite and straight to the bedroom, where he helped her get undressed. Somehow, he got a T-shirt over her head before she collapsed onto the pillow and dropped into oblivion.