Page 76 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“Damn it. I was hoping you’d find a slam dunk.”

“We rarely get that lucky.”

“True. Thanks for trying. Send me anything you have when you can.”

“You got it. We’re cleaning up now. You can tell them they can come back around four.”

“Will do.” Sam slapped the phone closed with frustration. “I want to know what happened to her, and I want to know it right now.”

“I hear you. How can it not be related to the affair?”

“It has to be. But how? That’s the question. Josie didn’t kill her. She didn’t know about the affair. Bob gave off the blissful glow of happily married, so I’m gonna bet he didn’t know about it either. So where does that leave us?”

“Someone knew.”

“How do we find out who?”

“If I had the answer to that question, you’d be tempted to promote me.”

Sam rolled her eyes. “After Bob, I want to circle back to the friend, Paula. If Pam told anyone about the affair, it would’ve been her.”

“She said she couldn’t think of anything that would’ve gotten Pam murdered.”

“Perhaps she was trying to protect her reputation and her family’s memories of her. As much as that would piss me off, I’d understand it. People are protective of the ones they love.”

“I guess, but you were pretty clear about her keeping things from us during a homicide investigation.”

“Maybe she was hoping we’d find that out somewhere else, and she wouldn’t have to get into it.”

“That’s possible.”

At the hotel, they ran into the same bellhop they’d seen earlier.

“Different day, same request,” Sam said, handing him a five-dollar bill. “Watch my car, please.” Then she remembered the Secret Service agents she tried not to think about while on the job and added another five-dollar bill. “And them, too.” She used her thumb to gesture to the black SUV that had pulled in behind her.

“Yes, ma’am, Mrs. Cappuano.”

Sam didn’t take the time to correct him.

Chapter Fourteen

They took the elevator to the Tappens’ floor and went through the same routine with the officer on duty as they had before. By the time she knocked on Bob Tappen’s door, she’d had more than enough of this day.

“Did you find the person who killed my wife?” he asked, looking hopeful and exhausted at the same time.

“Not yet. Could we please come in for a minute?”

“Oh, um, sure.”

They followed him into the room. Lucas was stretched out on the second bed, scrolling through his phone. When he saw Sam and Freddie, he sat up.

“Crime Scene detectives are completing their work at your home. You’ll be able to go home around four. I’ll ask Patrol to arrange rides for you.”

“Thank you.”

Sam glanced at Lucas. “Could we speak to you in private please, Mr. Tappen?”

He nodded for Lucas to go next door, which he did, with a glance over his shoulder.