Chapter Seven #2
“It’s okay,” she whispered to Gideon. “They call me Sam, too.”
She left him laughing as she walked outside to the SUV with Vernon and Q.
“That was a short trip home,” Vernon said as he waited for her to get settled.
“I’m not cleared to hear the details, so I couldn’t stay.”
“Ah, I see. I’m sure he appreciated seeing you.”
“He did, but he said… it’s bad.”
“That’s what we’re hearing, too.”
“What do you know?”
He lowered his voice as much as he could and still remain audible. “Serious national security breach. Uncharted waters.”
“Why do we find ourselves in those waters every other freaking day around here?” Sam asked in a frustrated tone.
“I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
“We’ll get through it. We always do, but it’s exhausting.”
“I can’t imagine.”
“Thank you for your support.”
“Of course.”
While Vernon drove her to HQ, she called Freddie. “What’s the latest?”
“Parents are processed and being held separately in lockup. We’re working on getting public defenders over here since they claim they can’t afford private legal representation. Interestingly, neither of them asked any questions about why we’d arrested them or what they’re being charged with.”
“Very interesting indeed. I’m on my way back.”
“Is everything okay at home?”
“It is very not okay, but there’s nothing I can do to help at the moment. Be there in a few.”
“See you then. Oh, and by the way, Ruiz was looking for you. I told her you were at an appointment and would be back later.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s that about?”
“She wants to discuss my insubordination during Ethan’s case.”
“For real?”
“Yep.”
“Is she going to make a big thing of it?” he asked with trepidation.
“No, because the brass won’t let her, but I’m sure she wishes she could.”
“What did she expect you to do when your nephew was missing?”
“Apparently, she expected me to do what I was told and stay out of the way.”
“Like she would’ve done that if it’d been her family member who was missing.”
“Who knows what she would’ve done, but I have zero regrets about what I did. I’ll listen to what she has to say and go on with my life, thankful every day that Ethan is safe and sad we weren’t able to save Luna.”
“That’s the only thing you can do.”
“Thanks for listening. Have you gotten to introduce Amara to Lindsey yet?”
“That was next on my list.”
“I’ll take care of it. I’ll be right there.”
She closed her phone, thankful for her best friend and partner, who always had her back even when she stepped out of line.
Usually, he followed her, sometimes at his own peril.
They did what it took to get an impossible job done, to bring airtight cases against murderers and to get what justice they could for victims and their families, which was never, ever enough.
Nothing they did could bring back loved ones senselessly lost to murder.
Since she had a few minutes, she called Lilia Van Nostrand, her amazing chief of staff in the Office of the First Lady. Not that the first lady spent much time there…
“Good morning, Sam,” Lilia said.
“Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“Not at all. What can I do for you today?”
“I heard we need to choose the theme for the Christmas decorations. Gideon said there’s a list of options?”
“There is. I’d planned to forward his email to you.”
“Is there one you like more than the others?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to influence the decision.”
“Lilia… please. Influence the decision. Tell me what to pick. And whose big idea was this, anyway?”
Laughing, she said, “You can blame Jacqueline Kennedy, who began the tradition of choosing a theme in 1961 when she picked The Nutcracker ballet as her theme.”
“So I could do A Charlie Brown Christmas?”
Lilia laughed as hard as Sam had ever heard her laugh.
“Clearly, I have no business making this decision. What are my options?”
“Sorry, I’m still recovering from picturing a Charlie Brown Christmas tree in the Blue Room.
Ah, that was funny.” She cleared her throat.
“Anyway, on the list of suggestions that Gideon sent over, I liked Simple Holiday Pleasures. I thought it suited you and the president and how you live your lives.”
“I love that. It’s perfect.”
“I’ll get that right over to Gideon and get busy making it happen.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Thank you for the best laugh I’ve had in ages.”
“Don’t tell anyone I said that.”
“All your secrets are safe with me. While I have you, I was thinking we should post one of the new photos of you with the kids and maybe a note about the adoption being final and how you’re feeling about that? We can write something for you.”
“While I’m always looking for ways out of more work, I think that’s one I should write myself. I’ll get something to you.”
“Excellent.”
“Have you heard what’s going on in the West Wing?” Sam asked her.
“Rumblings about the VP being fired, but no details.”
“It’s bad.”
“I assumed it must be for her to be fired. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Only if you can make it so people can’t do insanely stupid shit that causes hellfire for my husband.”
“If I had a magic wand, I would make it so.”
“I appreciate that—and I appreciate you. Always.”
“I’ve got you covered, friend. And speaking of that, Roni is working on a draft of your Top Cops speech from the notes you gave her.”
“Don’t tell her or anyone else that I forgot about that.”
“Sam,” Lilia said, laughing. “You’re the only person I know who could forget about a major career achievement.”
“I know it’s a big deal, but to me, it’s a bigger deal when I catch a killer. But don’t tell the NAPO people that, okay?” The award was given annually by the National Association of Police Organizations in recognition of extraordinary bravery.
“Your secrets are always safe with me. Call me if there’s anything I can do for you.”
“You’re the best. Talk soon.”
Sam slapped her phone closed, filled with gratitude for Lilia, Roni and the other members of her first lady team who kept the wheels on the bus so her focus could remain on her real job.
They always made her look good, even when she was nowhere to be found.
She hadn’t completely forgotten about the Top Cops thing.
It was more like she’d pushed it to the far back corner of her mind, to be dealt with later.
Much later. Although it was now only about three weeks away.
She got a text from Captain Malone that said, Mike pleaded not guilty, and a probable cause hearing was scheduled for two weeks from today.
Damn it. She’d so hoped the charges would get kicked when the judge heard the details of what’d happened. What’s the feeling?
Not sure. Charity Miller is on the case. She might have some insight.
Is it appropriate for me to ask her?
Absolutely not, but I can.
Way to lay a trap for me.