Chapter Thirty-Three
Sam went into her office and texted Vernon to tell him she was headed outside to brief the press.
Give us five to put people in place.
That’s all I’ve got.
She used the time to review the materials once more before taking the folder with her to meet the reporters gathered outside the main doors.
They perked up when they saw her, probably sensing something big because she rarely met with them alone.
Vernon moved up to the front of the gathering to stand behind her, while Jimmy watched from behind the reporters. There were probably other agents in the crowd, but she focused on the task at hand.
“Good morning. I’m here to update you on several ongoing investigations and other situations, after which I’ll take a few questions. To make the best use of our time together, a standard reminder that I won’t comment on anything having to do with my husband, the White House or other related topics.
“Yesterday, the MPD was served notice of legal action by two parties. The first, Eric Davies, was released from prison this week after serving sixteen years on aggravated rape charges based on evidence that was later determined to have been fabricated by former Lieutenant Leonard Stahl. As part of the case made against Davies, a woman named Tiffany Jones accused Mr. Davies of rape and testified against him. This week, the body of Ms. Jones was found buried in the backyard at Stahl’s family home. Seventeen other bodies have been found on the property. Of them, Brittany Carter, who’d long been missing, has also been identified. The families of both women have been notified.
“The MPD medical examiner, in collaboration with the FBI lab, is working to identify the remains of others found at Stahl’s home. Needless to say, this has been a grueling and heartbreaking investigation for everyone involved, particularly for our Crime Scene Unit, admirably led by Lieutenant Max Haggerty. He and his team have been working around the clock to fully process the scene at the Stahl home and to bring closure to families who’ve waited far too long to learn what happened to their loved ones.
“On a personal note, my history with Stahl is well known, and even having experienced what I did at his hands, I cannot fathom the depravity that led to what we’re finding at his home. My heart aches for every one of his victims and their families. That each of us at the MPD worked alongside this man who pretended to uphold the law while violating it at every turn is something we’re all struggling with.
“I’m sure many of you gathered here and those watching at home will wonder how a department full of seasoned law enforcement officers could’ve worked adjacent to an alleged serial killer and not known what he was doing while pretending to be one of us. I can assure you that if any of us had had the first inkling as to the true nature of his character, we would’ve done everything in our power to neutralize him before anyone else could be harmed. We take comfort in knowing he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison, where he belongs.”
“Lieutenant, will additional charges be filed against him now that these crimes have come to light?”
“We will fully prosecute him for every crime he’s ever committed, and we will take great pleasure in seeing him convicted and given additional life sentences.” She paused for a beat to change gears. “The other lawsuit was filed by Special Victims Unit Detective Ramsey, who’s currently on administrative leave after ramming a Secret Service SUV and endangering the lives of three people, including two federal agents. He’s facing several felony charges as a result of that incident.
“His lawsuit alleges MPD misconduct in the death of his son, Shane Ramsey, who was shot and killed by one of our sharpshooters after Shane Ramsey took a woman hostage in Rock Creek Park. The testimony of every officer present will support the fact that Shane Ramsey had no intention of letting that woman leave alive, and by taking him, we saved her. We believe the lawsuit has no merit and will quickly be dismissed.
“We’ve identified a person of interest in the murder of U.S. Attorney Tom Forrester and in the attempted murder of FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Avery Hill, who’s recovering from a gunshot wound at home. Ballistics analysis has indicated both men were shot by the same gun, and we’re actively pursuing our suspect. I hope to have more information for you on that investigation shortly. That’s all I have for now. I’ll take a few questions.”
“Do you plan to attend the hearing in your brother-in-law’s case today?”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Lieutenant, I’m sure you can understand the public’s difficulty in understanding how such a prolific criminal could’ve hidden within the ranks of the MPD for so many years. What do you say to those people?”
“We believe Stahl was able to get away with what he did because he was an insider, who understood how the system worked. That gave him advantages most people wouldn’t have in hiding his crimes. When I tell you we’re heartbroken that this happened on our watch, I mean it. Having withstood his depravity personally, I ache for the others who were subjected to it. I wish I could’ve prevented what happened to them, and I know others here feel the same way. Our goal now is to do everything we can to get justice for his victims and their families and to ensure that every corner he ever cut while pretending to do the job is rectified to the best of our ability. That’s a very high priority for everyone in this department.”
“This week, you’ve presided over an intense investigation into the murder of a U.S. Attorney while cohosting a state visit. How is it possible to do both those things at the same time?”
Sam smiled at the blonde TV reporter, who’d been fair to her in the past. “That’s a good question, Audra. And it gives me the chance to do a huge shoutout to the people I work with here and at my White House office, who make it possible for me to do both things simultaneously while also raising a family. I’m blessed to have the support of incredible teams in both jobs, without whom I couldn’t do any of it.”
“With the department facing so many challenges, is it fair to split your attention between two high-profile roles?”
The question came from an older reporter from the Reporter, a DC gossip rag.
“Fair to whom? I put forth my full effort in everything I do every day. That’s all any of us can do. That’s it for now. Thanks, everyone.”
They were still shouting questions at her as she walked inside and breathed a sigh of relief. As often as she’d done that, it still never became routine to her, especially with the department dealing with so many controversies all at once. Hopefully, they’d nab Tom Forrester’s killer on Sunday and notch a big win that they badly needed.
If things went bad there…
No, that couldn’t happen.
It just couldn’t.
After his morning security briefing,which had revealed several new areas of pressing concern at home and around the world, Nick waited impatiently for his ten o’clock appointment to arrive. There’d been no news about the search for Juan overnight, other than to note that the FBI and U.S. Marshals had been brought in to aid NCIS in the investigation. Nick had been around these things long enough to know that every hour that passed without word from the young naval officer made it more likely he wouldn’t be found alive.
Nick was heartbroken over that possibility.
Juan had risked everything to warn him about a brewing military coup and had possibly paid for that loyalty with his life.
How would Nick live with that?
He was saved from having to contemplate that dreadful reality by the arrival of Attorney General Cox.
“Show him in, Julie.”
Nick got up from the Resolute Desk and went to meet Cox at the sofas. Normally, he offered refreshments to his guests. However, this wasn’t a social call or even a regular meeting.
“Thanks for coming in.”
“Of course, Mr. President.”
Did the man look nervous, or was that wishful thinking on Nick’s part? Since Cox had threatened Sam, Nick hoped he was shitting his pants with nerves.
“I wanted to talk to you about the gambling addiction that’s been uncovered as part of the investigation into USA Forrester’s murder.”
Cox clearly hadn’t been expecting that.
“I, uh… I’m dealing with that as a private matter.”
“Normally, I’d give a cabinet member the opportunity to resign, but that’s not going to happen in this case. Your behavior has made you vulnerable to blackmail by foreign and domestic bad actors. As a result of that, we’re doing things a bit differently this time.”
The man had gone pale. “Sir?”
“As we speak, the White House Press Office is releasing a statement containing all the dirty details of what you’ve been up to while enjoying the status that comes with being the United States Attorney General. Your office at Justice is being cleaned out, and your personal effects will be delivered to your home. Your access to official government networks has been cut off. In addition, the nephew who’s played the role of your assistant while helping to hide your addiction is being told his services are no longer required by the federal government.” Nick stood and buttoned his suit coat. “Put your government phone on the table.”
Cox glared at him but did as directed.
“You’ll be met at home by federal agents, who’ll take possession of your computers and any other equipment or documents that belong to us. Is there any part of this you don’t understand?”
“No,” Cox said through gritted teeth.
“I think you know the way out. Don’t let the door hit you.”
“Mr. President… if I may…”
“You may not. In addition to making our country less safe through your despicable actions, you threatened my wife. What did you think would happen next? Get out.”
When Cox remained seated, seeming frozen with shock, Nick went to the door and signaled to Brant and the members of Cox’s detail to escort him from the Oval Office.
After they left with the now-former AG, Terry came in. “How’d it go?”
“Like clockwork except for the part where he was too shocked to leave, and the Secret Service had to remove him.”
“Director Ambrose has instructed his Secret Service detail to drop him off at home, at which point his protection ends.”
“You’ve spoken to the deputy AG about becoming the acting?”
“I have, and she’s ready.”
Trevor Donnelly, the communications director, came to the door.
Nick waved him in.
“Christina made the statement in the briefing room, and the word is out that Cox has been fired for cause. It’s safe to say this’ll be the lead story on every network and in every publication as they try to uncover the reason for his firing.”
“That doesn’t need to come from us,” Nick said.
“It’ll come out soon enough,” Terry said.
At the courthouse,Vernon and Jimmy escorted Sam through the media scrum gathered outside and through security with a minimum of fuss. Having them around was extremely helpful at times like this when she wanted to get in and out without making a scene.
Of course she drew unwanted attention everywhere she went, but the agents were good at creating a path for her through a crowd.
Vernon had told her that other agents were already positioned inside and around the perimeter.
It still struck her as bizarre that she required that kind of security, but whatever it took to stay safe and return home to her loved ones.
Their family had had enough traumatic loss after Skip’s somewhat sudden death in October, followed shortly after by Spencer’s shocking, tragic death while they were at Camp David during the holiday break.
Today, they were there to begin the process of getting justice for him and the others who’d been killed by laced fentanyl, which had been sold on the street to people desperate for relief. In Spencer’s case, he’d injured his back playing football with friends and had been prescribed OxyContin. He’d become reliant upon it, had gone to rehab several times and had resorted to buying it on the street after his doctors cut him off.
Tracy and Mike were outside the courtroom when they arrived.
Sam and Gonzo hugged them.
“What’re we doing here?” Mike asked tearfully.
“I know,” Sam said. “It’s surreal.”
She greeted the family members of the other victims, including Brad Albright, whose young wife had sought relief for a persistent knee injury. Sam introduced Brad to Tracy and Mike.
Brad, who was dressed in a navy suit and matching tie, looked better than he had the last time she saw him on the day his wife died. His blond hair was combed, he’d shaved, and his eyes had lost some of the shock and early devastation. But the sadness was still very present.
“His wife, Mary Alice, was poisoned as well,” Sam told her sister and brother-in-law.
“I’m so sorry,” Tracy said.
“I’m sorry for your loss, too.”
“Do you have children?” Tracy asked.
He nodded. “Two. They’re six and three.”
Tracy shook her head. “So many people hurt.”
Sam bit back a gasp of surprise when Angela walked up to them. As Sam hugged her sister, she was alarmed by how frail she felt in her arms.
“I needed to come.”
“Of course you did.” Sam introduced her to Brad. “He lost his wife, Mary Alice.”
Brad shook hands with Angela. “I wish I could say it was nice to meet you.”
“Same.”
Sam introduced Angela to the other families.
They greeted Angela warmly, which pleased Sam. Angela needed all the support she could get during this difficult time.
Spencer’s brother, Jed, and his parents arrived, hugging Angela, Sam, Tracy and Mike.
They went inside and found seats a few minutes before court would be called to order.
Angela sat between her sisters, holding their hands as Sal Vincent was brought in, wearing an orange jumpsuit. His hands and feet were chained as he sat next to his attorneys.
“Is that him?” Angela’s asked.
“Yes, he’s the main guy.”
“I thought he’d be older.”
DEA Agent Kevin Kavanaugh, Derek’s brother, came in and took a seat. He nodded to Sam.
She gave him the barest acknowledgment. If he’d had his way, she and her team would’ve been cut out of the Vincent bust, even though they were the ones who’d found him when the DEA had failed to do that for years.
Lieutenant Cooper from Narcotics entered the room, sneaking in a coffee and a brown bag that probably contained his breakfast. The man was revolting.
Over the next hour, the judge heard from Gonzo, Kavanaugh, Cooper and Leslie Lawton, the wife of rival drug dealer Riggs Lawton. Leslie had been given immunity and federal protection in exchange for her testimony against Vincent and the other members of his organization who faced charges. She testified about how Vincent had stooped to selling laced product to try to run the Lawtons out of business. To hear Leslie tell it, she and her late husband, Riggs, had been trying to help those who’d become addicted to opioids.
Reliving the frantic, gut-wrenching week that’d followed Spencer’s sudden death was brutal for Sam. She could only imagine how Angela must’ve felt.
In the end, the judge ruled there was ample evidence to support the prosecution of the case and set a trial date for late September. She banged her gavel to end the proceeding.
For a long moment afterward, Angela stared straight ahead, as if processing everything she’d heard.
“Are you okay, Ang?”
“I think? I mean… It’s still so unbelievable. That people died because one dealer wanted to push another one out of business.”
“It’s sheer madness,” Tracy said in her usual blunt fashion.
Angela looked at Sam, her eyes brimming with tears. “Even though you didn’t testify here, I know you’re the one who led the charge in finding these people and making them pay. The kids and I will always be thankful for everything you did. You saved other lives. There’s no question about that.”
“I’d give anything to have Spencer back.”
“The initiatives Nick is pursuing in his memory will help a lot of people and keep his legacy alive. That means a lot.”
“The media will want me to say something outside. Is that all right with you?”
“Of course.”
“Spencer’s family won’t mind?”
“Not at all. They want the same thing I do—for his life and death to help others, and you’re our best spokesperson for making that happen.”
Sam was too choked up to speak, so she nodded.
Their group walked out together and stood behind Sam as she spoke for all of them. “Today, we took a big step forward in getting justice for our beloved husband, father, son, brother and brother-in-law and many others who were lost due to what we believe was a deadly scheme perpetrated by Sal Vincent and others. This’ll be a long road, but we’ll be here for every second of it, until every person responsible for these murders is sentenced to prison.”
She stepped away from the microphone and hugged her family members before sending them on their way.
Tracy and Mike would walk Angela to her car, and Tracy promised to check in with their sister later.
Sam sent them both a text when she was back in the SUV. Let’s have a WH sleepover next weekend. I think we could all use the time together. What say you?
Tracy replied first. We’re in!
God yes,Angela said. The kids will be so excited.
Excellent. Celia will be back by then, too. She wouldn’t want to miss it.
Perfect,Tracy said.
Having the plan for quality time with her sisters and their families made Sam feel better. She hoped it did the same for them. Sometimes it was hard to believe the way life went marching forward after losing their dad and then Spencer. Skip, who used to remind them that their closest friends in the world were the people in their own home, would tell them to stick together and soldier on, so that’s what they would do. As long as they had one another, they would find the way forward.