Page 49 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“I hope your fount of wisdom never runs dry, Lieutenant. I benefit from it every day.”

“Quit your sucking up and ring it again.”

“Maybe louder would be better in this case.” Sam looked up to see the building had a second and third floor. She made a fist and pounded on the door. “Police, open up!”

“Um, can I help you?” a female voice said from behind them.

As Sam spun around to find a young woman holding a tray with four coffees, it occurred to her that they could’ve been attacked from behind. But then she saw Vernon leaning against the black Secret Service SUV that had followed them to Alexandria and knew he wouldn’t have let that happen.

“Oh my God. You’re the first lady!”

“Do you work here?” Sam asked, gesturing to the door.

“Yes, I do. I went to get coffee.”

“We need to speak to someone in charge.”

“Ah, sure. Come in.”

Sam stepped aside to allow the woman to use her key in the door.

“What’s this about?”

“I’m afraid I can’t say.”

“You investigate murders, right?”

“I do.”

She put the tray of coffees on a reception desk. “Has someone been murdered?”

“Could I please speak to your boss? I need the big boss.”

“Yes, of course.” The young woman picked up a phone and pressed a button. “Joyce, the, um, first lady is here to talk to you about a murder.”

Sam wanted to commit murder herself as she glared at the woman, who seemed to wilt ever so slightly. “Tell her Lieutenant Holland from the Metro PD would like to speak to her right away.”

“Did you hear that?” After a pause, the woman said, “Okay. I will.” When she put down the phone, she gestured to a closed door across the hall. “You can wait for her in there. She’ll be right down.”

“Tell her to hurry up. We’re busy.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She held up a pad of paper and a pen. “Could I get your autograph?”

Normally, she acquiesced to those sorts of requests on the job, but today she wasn’t in the mood. “Sorry, I can’t right now.” She pretended to take a call on her cell phone as she walked into the conference room where Freddie was already seated. “What’s up?”

“You talking to me or some imaginary person on the phone?”

“I’m on a very important call, so shut your yap.”

“Sure, you are.”

“Why do people have to do that whole first lady thing? Why can’t I just be Lieutenant Holland on the job?”

“Is that a rhetorical question, or do you expect an answer?”

She slapped her phone closed with the satisfying smack she loved so much. “I want an answer! The whole world knows what I do for a living—and what my side hustle is. Why do we have to talk about it everywhere I go?”

“Again, is that rhetorical, or are you looking for an answer?”