Chapter Twenty-One
Sam and Freddie were on the way back to HQ when she received a call from Captain Malone.
“We’ve got Ivanov and Amara, and we received a tip on where to find the bombers that we passed on to the FBI.”
Go, Nick.
“Is it safe to come back?”
“Lindsey took Amara home to her house. She’s asking for you.”
“I’ll stop there on the way back. Can we put some Patrol officers there just to be on the safe side?”
“Already requested that.”
“Oh, great. Thanks. How’d they make the drop?”
“Pushed him out the back of a truck on a gurney and stopped long enough for her to jump out before they took off. The gurney crashed into a tree.”
“Jeez. What do we know about who delivered the bombs?”
“After we were given the names, Archie tracked them down online. Two teenage boys probably hired to do a favor of dropping off a backpack in the HQ lobby. Now that we’re back up and running, he’s got them on video making the drop.”
“How’re you holding up?”
“I’ve had better days. You got the word about Jeannie having the baby?”
“I did. Thank God they’re both all right.”
“You said it, and Joe is apparently chomping at the bit to get back to work, which is also a relief.”
“Yes, it is.”
“We need to find out why the Russians wanted Ivanov back bad enough to bomb our house.”
“He was dumped by them initially, and then they were so desperate to get him back that they bombed our building? That’s bizarre, right?”
“It says to me that someone much higher up told them to get him back as soon as they heard his body was in our custody. I’d like to know why since they had him in the first place.”
“I’ll work on that as soon as I’ve seen Amara, but Freddie and I will miss the all-hands thing. Is that okay?”
“It’s fine. I called that to reassure people after the bombing and answer any questions they might have. You don’t need to be there.”
“Thanks. I’ll update you later.”
Sam gave Q Lindsey’s address in Adams Morgan. Then she texted Lindsey to tell her they were coming and updated Freddie on the new info Malone had provided.
“So it was the Russians, and the goal was to get Ivanov.”
“It seems so.”
“Which lets you off the hook you put yourself on.”
“I guess it does, which is a relief.” She glanced at him. “I never mean to make it about me. I hope you know that.”
“Of course I do. It’s a natural leap to make in light of current events.”
“Is that what we’re calling my tenure as first lady? Current events?”
“I think it’s a good code for when we need to refer to that part of your life.”
“I’m down with that.”
“It’s hard to watch you worry about endangering your colleagues. I hate that for you.”
“I hate it for me, too, but it’s a realistic concern that won’t go away until Nick is out of office. And even then… I hear post-presidency is almost as fraught.”
“You’re pretty much famous for the rest of your lives. And so are your kids and others like me, who tag along for the ride.”
“Oh joy.”
“It’s pretty cool sometimes. I was getting my oil changed last Saturday when some lady said, ‘Hey, you’re the first lady’s partner! Are you guys, like, best friends, or does it just seem that way?’ I got to confirm that we are, in fact, best friends.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“Shut your face. I’m your best friend because no one else would have you.”
That drew a snort of laughter from Dana.
“Don’t be insubordinate in front of young Dana. You’re setting a bad example.”
“You two should do stand-up comedy,” Dana said.
“That’d be a nice third job for me to take on,” Sam said.
“Don’t forget your most important job,” Freddie added.
“How could I ever forget my four kids? I still can’t believe I have four kids and a daughter-in-law.”
“It’s the best thing ever.”
“Sure is.” Just thinking about them made Sam feel better about what’d been an exceptionally shitty day.
They pulled up to Lindsey’s charming historical rowhouse on Mintwood Place a few minutes later.
“I love this area,” Freddie said as he led the way out of the SUV.
Sam waved to the officers in the Patrol car positioned at the curb.
Lindsey waited for them at the door.
“How is she?” Sam asked.
“Shaken up, to put it mildly.”
Sam and Freddie followed Lindsey to the back of the house, where Amara was seated at the kitchen table with a cup of tea steeping in front of her. When she saw Sam, she stood to hug her.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” Sam said.
“I am, too. This has been the strangest day.”
“It sure has.” Sam took a seat, hoping Amara would sit, too, which she did.
Freddie and Lindsey sat with them.
Sam took out her notebook and pen. “Start from the explosion and tell me everything that happened.”
“Less than a minute after you guys took off in the other direction, these two guys came into the morgue where I was grabbing my stuff before I went outside like Lindsey said to. They were dressed all in black.”
Sam made a note to figure out how they gained access to the building.
“They seemed surprised to see me there. One of them rushed by me and grabbed the body. They spoke in a foreign language, Russian, maybe. I could tell they were arguing about what to do with me. I was so scared. And then one of them grabbed me by the arm and forced me to come with them to a vehicle they had waiting right outside the door.”
So the Russians had known that everyone, even the Secret Service, would be drawn toward the lobby and the source of the explosion.
“Where did they take you?”
“Somewhere with no windows. I have no idea where it was.”
“Were you kept in the same room with the body?”
She nodded. “I stayed as far away from it as I could get.”
“Did anyone speak to you in English?”
“No, they argued in the same foreign language.”
“Did you see any of their faces?”
“They kept them covered the whole time.”
“How long were you in that room?”
“I’d say an hour or two. I lost track of the time.
Then someone new came in and said something that seemed to scare them.
They grabbed the body, strapped it to one of those stretchers on wheels and gestured for me to come with them.
We were loaded into the back of a truck with no windows, and the next thing I knew, they were opening the doors, pushing it out on the stretcher and then sending me out the door, too.
It all happened so fast. They were gone before my feet hit the pavement. ”
“Are you hurt at all?”
“Just my nerves. They were already rattled before this happened.”
“I’m so, so sorry you were caught up in something that had nothing to do with you.”
“So this wasn’t because I reported my mom and Louis?”
“Totally unrelated. The dead guy is a Russian, and they wanted him back, even though they’re the ones who dumped him in the street earlier. He was leading the effort to overthrow the Russian government.”
“I can’t believe I was taken by Russians.”
“Think of it this way… It’ll make a great story at parties someday.”
“Hopefully, my hands will quit shaking before then.”
“I’m so very sorry this happened today of all days.”
“My mother and Louis… Were they hurt in the bombing?”
“No, they’re okay.”
“I guess that’s good. Other people were hurt, though, right?”
“Four were killed, two others hurt. One of them was our pregnant deputy chief, who delivered her daughter six weeks early.”
“Are they…”
“They’re fine, thankfully.” Sam put her hand on top of Amara’s. “And so are you. What happened today was terrifying, but you’re safe here. We’ve positioned officers outside to make sure of that.”
“Oh. So you’re worried about them coming back?”
“Not at all, but we want you to feel safe, and we thought that would help until things calm down.”
“When will that be?”
Sam laughed. “When I figure that out, I’ll let you know.”
“Before I settled on nursing, I used to be interested in law enforcement, but if this is what it’s like…”
“Today is an anomaly,” Sam said, “but it’s almost always a bit crazy.”
“I thought it sounded like fun, but now I’m not so sure. Nursing seems like a safer bet.”
“You’re welcome to spend a few days with us to see what it’s usually like.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you so much for everything today. Despite the bomb and kidnapping, it’s a day I’ll never forget.”
“That’s for sure. Thank you again for your courage and determination to get justice for your brother. We’ll be focused on your case again tomorrow and will keep you posted. In the meantime, get some rest. You’re in good hands with Lindsey and her fiancé, Terry.”
“He’ll be home soon,” Lindsey said. “He’s looking forward to meeting you.”
Sam gave Amara another hug. “Call me any time if you need anything at all.”
“I will.”
Lindsey walked Sam and Freddie to the door.
“Thank you again for opening your home to her, Linds. It’s comforting to know she’s with you guys.”
“We’re happy to have her. I’m just so relieved she was returned safely. Do you know how that went down?”
“It might’ve had something to do with my husband and your future husband.”
“Is that right? Well, for once, their ridiculous jobs came in handy.”
Sam laughed. “Yes, they did.” She gave her friend a quick hug. “Thankful for you every day, but especially today. You’re making a big difference for her.”
“I’m following your example, friend.”
“You’ll never be sorry.”
“I already know that.”
“I’ll hit you up later.”
“We’ll be here. Terry’s bringing home a birthday cake from the White House bakery. Eighteen must be celebrated.”
“Make sure she knows where the cake came from. She’ll get a kick out of that.”
“Will do.”
As they pulled away in the SUV, Lindsey waved them off.
“I love that they’re getting her a cake from the White House,” Freddie said. “You were right. She’ll love that.”
“I’m always right. Duh.”
“Ugh. And you’re always insufferable.”
“It’s part of my charm. Talk to me about the Russians… What did they want with the body of the opposition leader?”
“I’ve been thinking about that. I’m sure they were concerned about him being marched through the streets of Russia as a fallen hero.”
“He’s dead, so what do they care about that?” Sam asked.