Page 131 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“Is she all right?”

“She will be.” And thank God for that. As she got into the back of the SUV, Sam couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility that she was putting her colleagues in danger by continuing to work. That hadn’t occurred to her before now. It hadn’t been an issue when she was second lady, but would her new, higher profile put her beloved colleagues in even more danger than they already faced on the job every day?

She couldn’t bear to entertain that thought.

“Hey, Vernon,” she said when they were on the way back to town.

He met her gaze in the rearview mirror. “Ma’am?”

“Could I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

She hesitated for a second, reluctant to give voice to her fear. “Do you think I’m endangering my squad by staying on the job?”

“How so?”

“Does my higher profile make them targets too? The whole time we were driving out here, all I could think about was what if someone harmed her because of her proximity to me.”

“I don’t think the danger to them now is more than it was when you were second lady.”

“Were there threats against them then?” Sam asked, horrified that she’d never thought to ask before.

“Not that I’m aware of, ma’am.”

“And you’d know, right? Because you’re assigned to me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” After a long pause, Sam said, “Do you think I’m crazy to try to do this? To keep my job while I’m first lady?”

“I don’t think you’re crazy, ma’am. You’ve devoted your life to your career, and it means a lot to you—and many other people.”

“Thank you,” Sam said, strangely touched by the agent’s kind words.

“You didn’t ask me,” Jimmy said, “but my wife and I think it’s really cool you’re keeping your job, ma’am.”

“You’re married? How’s that possible? You’re, like, twelve.”

Jimmy laughed. “Actually, ma’am, I’m thirty, and I’ve been married for five years.”

“Wow. Didn’t see that coming.”

“He has a baby face,” Vernon said.

“Everyone tells me that,” Jimmy added.

“Will you guys do me a big favor?”

“If we can, ma’am,” Vernon said.

“If you ever hear of specific threats toward any member of my team, will you tell me?”

“We’ll do whatever we can to help you keep them safe, ma’am.”

With those words, Vernon had made a friend for life in Sam. She shouldn’t be surprised that they’d understand her concerns as fellow law enforcement officers. “A big part of me is fairly certain I’m insane for trying to make this work.”

“A big part of me is certain that if anyone can make it work, you can, ma’am,” Vernon said.