Page 66 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“It’d take all day to list the things that were wrong with him.”

“That’s for sure. You heard about Ramsey getting the ax?”

“I did. Assume he’s going to appeal it through the union?”

“He already has and said he’s going to spill a lot of dirt on the department and its so-called stars if we try to get rid of him.”

“What dirt does he have?” Sam asked.

“We don’t know, but we’re not backing down. The chief has had enough of him.”

“No one is happier about that than I am,” Sam said.

“Just because he’s no longer on the force doesn’t mean you should let down your guard where he’s concerned.”

“I’m aware that he’ll remain a powerful enemy, but I’m thankful he’ll no longer be collecting a paycheck to be a waste of space.”

“Agreed. After the last few months, the chief is not putting up with any bullshit. He hopes that in addition to getting rid of Ramsey, this’ll send the message that bad cops have no place in this department.”

“God, I hope so. I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with bad cops.”

“Me, too.”

“What are you hearing about the deputy-chief thing?” Sam asked, hoping the mayor had shifted her focus away from Sam, who’d declined the offer of a promotion she didn’t want.

“Nothing new. She’s still aiming for a woman.”

“Have her look at Erica Lucas. She’s an outstanding detective, as you well know.”

“I do know that. I’ll send the idea up the flagpole. On another note, are you planning to attend the hearing in your dad’s case after the holidays?”

“I don’t know yet. Do I need to be there?”

“Not in any official capacity. We kept your name out of the reports for obvious reasons.”

“I don’t want it to turn into a circus, and that seems to happen everywhere I go lately,” Sam said.

“I understand. Let me know if anyone from the family plans to attend, and we’ll take care of getting you all in and out.”

“We’ll figure that out after the holidays.”

“In the meantime, can you brief the press on the Tappen case when you get back to the house?”

“Do I have to?” she asked, as she always did.

“I’m afraid so.”

“Fine. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.”

“You’re welcome, Captain.” She’d hated dealing with the media before Nick became vice president and then president. Now she hated it even more because they were forever trying to get her to tell them things about him even though she’d repeatedly made it clear that wasn’t going to happen—ever. But that didn’t stop them from asking irrelevant questions that she had no intention of answering every time she briefed them.

“Keep me posted on what you find out from the coach.”

“Will do.” Sam slapped her phone closed with a satisfying smack and went back inside. “When will your lawyer be here?”

Ouellette, who’d been slouching in his chair, sat up straighter. “Any minute now.”