Chapter Twenty-Five #2
“Why do you suppose he protected you?”
“It could be that he recognized Fields was a psychopath, and he didn’t want to help him try to hurt me.”
“How did you feel when you learned that he’d done that?”
“Initially, I was confused and relieved. Later, I was appreciative.”
“Because he could’ve ruined you with the things he knew about you?”
“Not at all. Because he could’ve made up whatever fiction he wanted to and chose not to do that. In his final moments, he was honorable, and that’s what I choose to remember about him.”
“How long were you held in this bunker?”
“Several days.”
“And when you were released, what did you do?”
“Everything I could to assist in the investigation into my ex-husband’s murder.”
“Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”
“We were no longer married, so no.”
“But you had extensive history, no?”
“We did, but—”
“Didn’t that history color your approach to the investigation?”
“It did not. Mr. Fields was quickly linked to Mr. Gibson, and Mr. Fields is the one who connected Gibson’s murder to Mr. Nelson and Mr. Ritter.”
Her lack of emotion was rattling the defense attorney. Had he expected her to wail and carry on? If so, he’d be disappointed. That wasn’t her style, even when talking about horrors that struck far too close to home.
Wells stared her down for a long moment before he said, “Nothing further. I reserve the right to recall this witness at a later date.”
“Thank you for your time, Lieutenant,” the judge said. “You’re dismissed.”
Sam got up and walked past the defendants, wishing she could say something like, Have fun in prison, but she kept moving until she rejoined Vernon and Q at the door. “Get me out of here.”
“Right this way, ma’am.”
In the car, Sam sent Nick a text to let him know she’d gotten through testifying and was headed back to work.
He replied a few minutes later. How was it?
Not that bad. Just sucks to have to relive it.
I know. I’m glad that’s behind you now.
Me, too! One small concern… They asked for my legal name, and I’m sure someone will make it a thing that I never officially changed it.
Ah, OK. I’ll put Trevor and Christina on alert that they might get that question.
Sorry.
No worries, babe. Have a good rest of your day and be safe.
You, too.
“You held up well, Sam,” Vernon said.
“Thanks. It helps to have a slam dunk of a case.”
“I’m sure it’s tough when it involves people you know.”
“It is. Happens far too often for my liking.”
“Hard to believe the son of a president went to such lengths to try to clear the way for his own ambitions,” Q said.
“It was one of the more shocking developments in my career, that’s for sure.”
“What did the Nelsons say about it?” Vernon asked.
“They were horrified by what their son had done. We met with them, and they said all the right things. We believed they were as shocked by it as we were.”
“I was at the White House the day that shit hit the fan,” Q said. “No one could believe it.”
“I wasn’t entirely surprised,” Vernon said. “I’d gotten to know Christopher during his father’s time in office and found him to be very self-absorbed, unlike the rest of his family.”
“That tracks with what I learned about him,” Sam said.
“Hopefully, that’s behind you now.”
“Fingers crossed I don’t get recalled and that they can secure convictions soon.”
As Sam arrived at her office, her phone rang with a call from Jesse Best. “Hey there, how’s it going?”
“You won’t believe it.”
“What?”
“I took your suggestion to do a couple of the true crime podcasts, and we have a lead from one of them. A real, live, actual lead.”
“Oh my God, Jesse. That’s amazing news. What’ve you got?”
“I got an email from a listener who saw the age-progressed photo and is certain a woman who lives in his Kentucky town is Jordan.”
Sam’s bullshit radar immediately registered a strong hit. “Jesse…”
“I know what you’re going to say, that I want this so badly I’m willing to be scammed or led astray or whatever, but we fully investigated. I can’t say for certain that it’s her, but the lead is credible.”
“I’ll be hoping and praying for the best-possible outcome.”
“Thank you for all your support.”
“Of course. How’s Memphis?”
“She’s doing much better. Getting around easier and ready to get back to work, although that’s not happening for about six more weeks. She’s going to Kentucky with me, though, to provide backup in more ways than one.”
“Please let me know how it goes. I’ll be on pins and needles waiting to hear from you.”
“I will.”
“Good luck and Godspeed, Jesse.”
“Thank you. I’ll be in touch.”
The hope she heard in his voice made her ache for him, along with the fear that he could be on yet another wild-goose chase to try to find the younger sister who’d disappeared so suddenly from his life.
She was glad that Memphis would be with him to provide personal and professional support.
Sam liked the feisty young agent who had the intractable Jesse Best tied up in knots, and she was looking forward to hearing more about them as a couple.
Since Memphis was his subordinate at work, they’d eventually have to deal with that challenge, but hopefully, they could work something out.
“Hey,” Freddie said from the doorway. “How’d it go?”
“As expected. Glad it’s over.”
“Are we going to find Henderson now?”
She wrinkled her nose. “As soon as I get changed, and we have to go to Arlington.”
“Oh, the horrors of leaving the District.”
“I’m glad you feel my pain.”
“I don’t feel it. Not at all. I’m not a homer like you.”
“I’m very misunderstood.”
“Haha, hardly. O’Brien asked for a word before we leave.”
“Send him in.”
Detective Matt O’Brien appeared in the doorway a minute later, looking nervous and out of sorts. He had a stocky build, reddish brown hair and bright blue eyes.
“Come in. Shut the door.”
When he was settled in one of her visitor chairs, Sam said, “Everything all right?”
“Everything is really great, except for one thing…”
“What’s that?”
“I have to give notice. I’m moving to Boston to be with my girlfriend, who landed her dream job there.”
“Oh wow.” Sam hadn’t seen that coming. “That’s great for her, but I’ll be sorry to lose you on the team.”
“I’m devastated over it, but I’m hoping I can count on you for a recommendation when I apply to the Boston PD.”
“Absolutely.”
“I want you to know… Having a front-row seat to your relationship with your husband made me realize how important it is to go all in with the one you love, no matter where it might take you. I love Olivia, and I want a life with her, so I’m going all in.”
“You’ll never be sorry you did what it took to be together.”
Sam stood and came around her desk to hug the detective. “We’ll miss you here, but I wish you all the best.”
“Thanks, LT. For everything. It’s been the honor of a lifetime to work with you and this squad.”
“It’s been an honor to have you. Keep me posted on your dates.”
“Will do.”
While she was truly happy for Matt and Olivia, she’d have an opening to fill that would require her attention on something other than an active investigation, which was always annoying but came with the job.
“What was that about?” Freddie asked as they walked toward the morgue.
“Matt gave me notice that he’s moving to Boston with his girlfriend.”
“Oh wow. Well, good for them.”
“That’s what I said, too. Now we need to find someone to take his spot.”
“You’ll figure that out. You always do.”
“I hate change.”
“No, really?”
“Don’t be sassy, young Freddie, when I need to pay you a compliment.”
“Can’t wait to hear this.”
When they were loaded into the SUV and on the way to Arlington, she said, “I talked to Jesse. He received a lead on his sister after he appeared on some of those podcasts you recommended.”
“No way. That’s awesome.”
“I hope so.”
“Why do you sound concerned?”
“I’m worried about him being fleeced somehow.”
“He’s a U.S. Marshal. He can handle himself.”
“In any other situation, I’d agree. This is different, but he’s taking fellow Marshal Memphis Rose Costello with him, so that makes me feel a little better.”
“What if this is it, though? What if, after all these years, he might actually find her?”
“I know. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.”
“I can’t imagine how he must be feeling.”
“I know, elated and filled with dread at the same time. I’m just hoping for the best, no pun intended.”