Chapter Fourteen
In the morning, Nick gently reminded Sam one last time that she needed to be ready for her date with Mrs. Hutchinson at three.
“Yes, dear,” she said as she kissed him goodbye. “I’ll be home in plenty of time.”
“I appreciate it.”
“You’re lucky I love you.”
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world because you love me. Be safe out there.”
“Always am.”
On the ride to HQ, she called Leslie Forrester. “I’m sorry to bother you so early.”
“It’s okay. I’m not sleeping very well, and I was going to call you today to tell you the funeral is scheduled for next Wednesday at the National Cathedral. Conlon will follow up with the details.”
“I’ll be there. The reason I called was to talk about your neighbor and the situation with the Dobermans.”
“Oh my. You don’t think that’s related to Tom’s death, do you?”
“Not really, but we’re investigating all possibilities, up to and including that. I wanted your take on that.”
“I wouldn’t put anything past him or his crazy-ass wife. They’re super entitled and think they should be able to do whatever they want on their property, including raising dogs that attack other pets.”
“Had it happened before your dog was attacked?”
“The neighbors on the other side of them say one of those dogs killed their cat. They can’t prove it, but they’re certain it was them. They’re always getting out of the yard. People are afraid to let their kids play outside.”
“Where does Animal Control stand on this?”
“To be honest, they’ve been mostly useless. They come by, cite the owners, and then we never hear from them again.”
Sam’s first stop at HQ would be to visit the folks at Animal Control. “What’s the wife’s name?”
“Laurel, and he’s Ralph. Tom called him Ralph Kramden.” It took a second for Sam to connect the name to the iconic grouch from the old TV show The Honeymooners.
“To his face?”
“Yep.”
Sam laughed. “That’s funny.”
“Not sure Ralph thought so.” She sighed. “I can’t believe I’ll never hear Tom call him that again.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how awful that must be.” And she didn’t want to imagine it.
“Thank you. It’s just such a shock. Ten days ago, we were laughing at dinner with the Coxes, and Damien Bryant. And now Tom’s dead, and Damien has been charged with crimes.”
“Wait. You had dinner with them ten days ago?”
“Yes. We got together frequently. Not so much since Damien started dating JoAnn, but before that, it was almost every week.”
“Who’s JoAnn?”
“She’s a nurse he started dating about six months ago.”
“Do you know her last name?”
“I don’t. I only met her a couple of times.”
Sam made a note of the woman’s name. “How does Damien fit in with Tom and Reggie?”
“He’d been a good friend of theirs for about twelve years. Tom used to say it never hurt to have friends in Congress, especially if they were on the Judiciary Committee.”
“Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest? For a congressman on that committee to be close, personal friends with the AG and a USA? Or for even the AG and a USA to be close?”
“I’m not sure how all that works. Tom used to say Washington is a small town, and everyone is friends with everyone.”
“Thank you for this added insight. I really appreciate it.”
“I wish there was more I could do.”
“I’ll let you know if we have other questions. I’ll see you Wednesday, if not before.”
“Thank you again for all you’re doing.”
“I’ll keep you posted.”
Sam closed her phone and took a minute to process the information Leslie had given her. Every time she talked to someone close to Tom, she found out more about the deep ties between him and Reggie Cox, not to mention she had proof that Bryant had lied to her about being close friends with Forrester.
At HQ, she went straight to Animal Control on the second floor and asked to speak to the lieutenant in charge. Everyone in their office stared at her from the second she walked in. She ignored them while she waited for the LT.
A heavyset woman Sam hadn’t met before appeared from an office in the back of the space. She had a dour expression and drab brown hair that needed a brush.
“I’m Lieutenant Diane Webster.”
“Lieutenant Holland.”
“No kidding,” she said with a sneer. “What can I do for you?”
What the hell was her problem? “I’m investigating the murder of U.S. Attorney Tom Forrester. It’s come to our attention that he was involved in an altercation with one of his neighbors after the neighbor’s dog attacked Tom’s.”
“What about it?”
“I was wondering if you have any contacts at Gaithersburg Animal Control who could get us a copy of the report and any impressions as well as what, if any, follow-up was done about the dog.”
“Are you accusing them of something?”
“What? No. I’m asking for information for a case.”
“‘What, if any, follow-up was done about the dog’ sure sounds like an accusation to me.”
“Well, it wasn’t. I’m asking what was done or not done about the dog. Sometimes, something is done. Other times, it isn’t. I’m asking which this was.”
“I’ll reach out to them.”
“Thanks. I’ll wait.”
“It’ll take me a minute, and I was in the middle of something else.”
“Something more pressing than the murder of a U.S. Attorney?”
Oh, she didn’t like that. “I’ll ask for a copy of their report and get it to you.” She turned and walked away.
“Was it something I said?” Sam asked the admin.
“She has a beef with you,” she whispered. The young woman had light brown skin and pretty dark eyes. Her braids were wrapped in a tall bun.
“Whatever for? I’ve never seen her before today.”
“I’ve said too much.”
“Bring me that file when it’s ready. Let’s talk.”
“Um, okay.”
For fuck’s sake,Sam thought as she headed downstairs. “How do I manage to piss off people I’ve never met?”
“What’d you say, Sam?” Freddie asked as he stood in his cubicle.
“Do you know Webster in Animal Control?”
“Not personally.”
“Me either, but apparently, she has a beef with me.”
“What’d you do?”
“It’s probably the fact that I breathe that annoys her.”
“Or maybe it’s because you’re so good at your job, and she wishes she was you.”
“I think the breathing thing is more likely. I want to talk to Forrester’s neighbors. The ones with the dog.”
“Is that why you were tangling with Webster?”
“I wasn’t tangling with her. I asked for a copy of the report on the incident with Forrester’s dog. Apparently, I was out of line.”
Captain Malone came into the pit, looking stressed and aggravated. “The media is going nuts for an update on Forrester.”
“I’ve got dick to tell them.”
“You have to tell them something before they stampede the building. I’ve rarely seen more of them out there.”
“I’ll take care of it. After that, we’re going to see Cox and then to Gaithersburg to talk to Forrester’s neighbor.”
“What’s up with Cox?”
“He asked me to come in.”
“Interesting, no?”
“For sure. I’m worried he might be up to his neck in this, which could cause me some trouble at home.”
“First sign of it crossing that line, I’ll take over anything to do with him. I’d go with you today, but I can’t. I’ve got other fires to put out.”
“Got it.”
“What’s with Forrester’s neighbor?”
“A dispute over dogs.”
Malone gave her a skeptical look.
“I’m pulling the threads, Cap.”
“All right.”
“Don’t forget I’m leaving early today.”
“Ah, yes, the Canadian state dinner. I’ve got my monkey suit ready to go.”
Sam smiled. “See you there, if not before.” To Freddie, she said, “Let me do the press briefing, and then we’ll get going.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Have you given everyone assignments for today?”
“I’m waiting on Gonzo to get here. He’s running late. We’ll have the others focus on emails and texts. We’re only about halfway through what Archie gave us.”
“Do me a favor and pull warrants for the cell phone data for Ralph and Laurel Sellers.”
“Who’re they?”
“Forrester’s neighbors. He had a beef with them over their dog attacking his that led to lawsuits. It’s just a hunch, but I’d like to know where they were when he was killed.”
Cameron came over to them, looking upset—or maybe shocked.
“What’s wrong?” Sam asked tentatively.
“Avery’s been shot.”
“What? Where?”
“Coming out of the gym on 22nd.”
“Is he…” Sam was afraid to finish that question.
“He was alive but unresponsive when EMS arrived. They took him to GW.”
“Does Shelby know?”
“I called Avery’s deputy, George Terrell, to find out how that was being handled. He said he was on the way to the White House now to notify her.”
Sam wasn’t sure whether she should go to the hospital or home to be with Shelby. “I need to go to her.”
“No,” Malone said.
Sam looked at him as if he’d said something she didn’t understand.
“I need you on Forrester. I know Avery’s a close friend, but there’s nothing you can do for him right now. We’ll put people on it and figure out what happened to him.”
Lucas and Harper came into the pit.
“Did you hear about Hill?” Lucas asked.
“Just now,” Sam said.
“You two get over to GW and see what you can find out,” Malone said to her and Harper. “Tell Archie to pull the film from around the gym on 22nd.”
“Yes, sir,” Lucas said.
She and Harper headed toward the morgue exit.
Sam very much wanted to go with them, but Malone had given her an order. “I, uh, I’ll get ready to brief the media on Forrester.”
“Take a minute,” Malone said.
“H-he just had a baby. They just had a baby…” Her heart ached for both of them, especially after the recent home-invasion trauma.
Sam hadn’t been this upset in a while.
“I’ll brief the media,” Freddie said.
“That’s okay.”
“I’ll do it, Sam. It’s good experience for me, and you’re in no condition to do it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very.”
“Thank you, grasshopper.”
“No problem.”
“I’ll help you get ready,” Malone said to Freddie.
After they walked away, Sam’s phone rang. Her heart sank when she saw Shelby’s name on the screen. “Hey, I was just going to call you.”
“Sam! What do you know? Is he… He can’t be dead. Please tell me he isn’t.”
“I heard he was unresponsive but alive when EMS took him to the hospital. Where are you?”
“I’m with George. He’s taking me and the baby to GW. Celia offered to keep her for me, but I didn’t know how long I’d be gone.”
Sam gave Shelby credit for keeping her shit together and thinking about practicalities at such a terrible time.
“I would come there, but?—”
“I know you can’t. Do what you have to do. That’s what Avery would want. I’ll keep you posted.”
“I’m praying for you all, Tinker Bell.”
“Thank you.”
Sam put down her phone and dropped her head into her hands. How was Shelby holding it together when her husband had been shot, only days after they’d welcomed their new baby?
The secure BlackBerry rang.
She took the call from her husband. “Hi.”
“What do you know about Avery?”
“He was unresponsive but alive when EMS transported him.”
“Good God. Have you talked to Shelby?”
“Just now. Avery’s deputy, George, is transporting her and the baby to GW.”
“Are you going there?”
“I can’t. We’re under tremendous pressure on Forrester… Malone basically told me to stay put.”
“Oh shit. You must be so torn. I’m sorry, babe.”
“It’s okay. He’s right. We’re getting nowhere fast on Forrester, and I’ve got a lot of ground to cover today.”
“And I’m cutting your day short.”
“It’s fine.”
“I can’t stop thinking about Avery and how they just had the baby…”
“I know. It’s horrible.”
“Could it be related to the home invasion?”
“Not sure how. The people who did that are in custody.”
“It was just a thought.”
“It’s a good thought, and I’ll pass it on to the team working that case.”
“Hang in there, babe. He’s young and strong. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Look at you… Worried about Avery Hill. Once upon a time, you wanted to kill him yourself.”
“Times change. He’s a friend. I’m worried.”
“Me, too. I’ll text you if I hear anything.”
“Thanks. Be careful with my love, especially with someone out there shooting your colleagues.”
“Will do. See you soon.”
“Can’t wait.”
Gonzo came to the door, looking pissed off. “Motherfucking traffic in this city. Thirty minutes to get across the Memorial Bridge.” He took a closer look at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Avery was shot this morning, coming out of his gym on 22nd.”
“Oh my God. Is he okay?”
“Not sure yet.”
“Jeez, and they just had a baby.”
“Yeah.”
Sam was still standing there, lost in thought, when Freddie and Malone appeared behind Gonzo, who turned to them.
“How’d it go?” Sam asked.
“Brutal,” Freddie said.
“He did a great job telling them what we know so far and that we’re working the investigation with all available resources, etc.”
“Thank you for handling that, Freddie.”
“I’d say it was no problem, but I may need hazardous duty pay. Any word on Avery?”
“Nothing new. We need to get going to the meeting with Cox.” To Gonzo, she said, “Pick up where Carlucci and Dominguez left off with the paper trail. Get me a thread to pull.”
“On it.”
“Let’s go see what the Attorney General wants with us.”