Page 114 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“We can’t save them all, Sam.”

“We can at least fucking try!”

“This is coming from the top. If you have a beef, you’re going to have to take it up with him—and I’d recommend you tread lightly on this. He’s very adamant that he doesn’t want it. The FBI report is looming in January, and it’s apt to be damning. We don’t need to invite in more. Not now.”

Sam’s heart sank at the thought of having to abandon the review of the cold cases that’d been overlooked by Stahl.

“I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but he’s right, Sam. With the FBI report coming, Stahl being convicted, charges pending against Conklin and Hernandez, Ramsey being fired, and you solving the Worthington case in a single afternoon, the media has been merciless in its criticism of the department, the chief and everyone who works for him. Our deputy chief was arrested for withholding information on the shootings of two fellow officers. That’s a stain that’s going to stick to us for years. Morale is already low. We don’t need to do anything to make it worse.”

Sam sighed as she listened to him. Although she understood where he and the chief were coming from, she couldn’t bear to know there were cases that hadn’t gotten even the most rudimentary of effort from Stahl. She started the car and drove away from Thorn’s house, leaving the details of that case to Gonzo to supervise.

“Tell me you get it,” Malone said.

“I do, but I don’t like it.”

“We don’t either. We hate that corners were cut and cases were given little or no effort. That’s not who we are as cops or human beings, but unfortunately, not everyone we work with feels the way we do. Having you on the job while you’re first lady gives us a chance to change the narrative around the department. Your appearance on the Today show was very well received, and the grief group is getting national attention. That’s the publicity we need now, as well as the bump of sympathy we’ll receive for the trial of Arnold’s killer, not another cold case solved in two days because we finally decided to care about it.”

“But solving cold cases is good PR for the department. It shows the community we never stop looking for answers.”

“In this case, it shows the community that we had officers in command positions who didn't do the bare minimum for victims. That’s the story we can’t afford right now. We’re not saying never on this. We’re just saying not right now when Stahl has just been convicted of attempted murder and we’ve got Conklin and Hernandez facing charges in your dad’s case. With Calvin Worthington, people are focusing on the outrage of it taking only an afternoon to solve a case that should’ve been solved fifteen years ago.”

Sam had so much more she wanted to say, but she recognized a brick wall when she was banging her head against it. “I hear you. I hate it, but I get it. You can let the chief know that we’ll stand down on the cold-case review.”

“Thank you. He’ll appreciate your understanding.”

“I’d also like to go on record as objecting to us working the sympathy card during the trial.”

“We’re not going to work it, but we will benefit from it. It’s just the nature of these things. You know that.”

“Sometimes this world is just too fucked up for me to stand. How could Stahl have let a teenage girl go missing and done nothing to try to find her? How did he live with himself?”

“I don’t know, and I’m glad I don’t know what it’s like to be that kind of person. He’s going to have the rest of his life to sit in prison and think about all the many ways he could’ve been a better person.”

“He won’t think about that. He’ll think about how I ruined his life just by being born.”

“You’re probably right about that. He lacks the ability to be introspective.”

That made Sam laugh. “Indeed he does.”

“One other piece of news, and then I’ll let you go. Ramsey has been charged with vandalism and B&E.”

Breaking and entering was a felony. “Wow. Forrester isn’t fooling around.”

“The chief asked the USA to throw the book at Ramsey. He wants to be sure something sticks so we aren’t forced to take him back when he gets off on some random technicality.”

“That’d be good.”

“We all agree that you need to be careful, Sam. He, too, is going to blame you for everything that’s gone wrong in his life.”

“I know,” Sam said with a sigh. “It sure gets tiring taking the blame for men who can’t keep their own shit together.”

“I’m sure it does, but the threat is real nonetheless. On another note, how does Gonzales seem to be doing ahead of the trial?”

“As well as can be expected. He says he’s ready and looking forward to getting it over with. Justice for Arnold is his only concern. He assures me his recovery is solid, and he’s not going to allow a backwards spiral. I’m keeping an eye on him, and having him in charge of the Thorn investigation will be good for him.”

“Agreed. Please let me know if you feel he needs anything at all. If we’ve learned anything in the last year, it’s that we need to do more to support our people when they suffer trauma on the job.”

“Yes, we do.” She hated how much Gonzo had suffered after his partner’s senseless murder and how he’d kept the worst of it hidden from the people closest to him. “I’m going to head home and get some sleep while I can. I’ll see you in the morning.”