Page 11 of State of Retribution (First Family #9)
As bad as all murders were, the ones that were seemingly random, someone killing people going about their lives just for the fun of it or whatever, were the worst.
And Sam had a sinking feeling that the person or people doing the killing probably weren’t finished yet.
When they were in the SUV for the return trip to the District, Sam called Malone while Freddie was on the phone with Walters.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Dreadful few hours meeting with the victims’ families. I want a very big statement to the public about steering clear of poorly lit areas at night until we catch this person.”
“We’ve already made that statement.”
“Let’s make it again. Put it on the socials. Put it everywhere. Get some media coverage. Do whatever you can to sound the alarm. I also want to publicize the GoFundMe Alexa Prescott’s friends are doing to cover funeral expenses since she had no family to speak of. Cruz will send you a link.”
“I’ll take care of it. Are you okay?”
“I’m pissed. These people weren’t doing anything wrong, and now they’re dead.”
“I hear you. It’s terrible. Are you coming back for the Stahl meeting at three?”
“That’s the plan.”
“I was thinking that maybe you should sit it out, in light of your history with him and all that.”
“If there’s something I can do to help get justice for his other victims, I want to be part of that.”
“And I totally get why you feel that way. It’s just that… it might not be in your best interest. You know?”
“I do,” she said with a sigh. “I still want to be there.”
“As you wish, but please feel free to leave if it’s too much.”
“I will. Thanks, Cap, for looking out for me.”
“Always. See you when you get back. Oh, and Jesse Best came by asking for you. He said to call him when you have a minute.”
“Did he say why?”
“Nope.”
“Got it. Okay. See you soon.”
“Did who say why?” Freddie asked.
“Jesse Best was looking for me.”
“Wonder what that’s about.”
“No idea. What did Walters say?”
“They’re combing through the film but not finding anything we can use.”
“Just once it would be nice to get something we can use from the cameras we have all over the place.”
“I know, right?”
“Will you please send the GoFundMe info for Alexa to Roni with some context and ask her to put it on my first lady accounts?”
“Are you allowed to do that?”
“Who cares? I’m doing it.”
“All righty, then.”
“I’m calling Jesse.” Sam flipped open her phone and found the contact for the U.S. Marshal they often worked with. “Hey,” she said when he picked up. “Heard you were looking for me. What’s up?”
“I need a favor.”
Best was never one for small talk. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve got a cold-case file that could use a second set of eyes. I heard you’ve had some luck with cold cases lately and thought you might be willing to give it a look. On the side.”
Sam had no extra time for anything, but she’d find some for him. “Of course. Bring it by, and I’ll take it home, if that’s okay.”
“Whatever works. Appreciate it.”
He was gone before she could say goodbye.
She closed the phone.
“What’s up with him?” Freddie asked.
“Cold case he wants me to look at.”
“That’s odd, isn’t it? With all his resources, he wants your help?”
Sam shrugged. “When you need the best, you come to the best.”
Moaning, Freddie said. “Oh my God, I walked straight into that woodchipper, didn’t I?”
Sam, Vernon and Jimmy laughed.
“Common grasshopper mistake.” Sam patted his arm. “It happens.”
He scowled and pulled clear of her. “Do you ever get tired of listening to yourself?”
“Nope, not really. Everything I say and do is so interesting to me.”
“And somehow, I made it worse,” Freddie said.
“From one grasshopper to another,” Jimmy said, “quit while you’re ahead.”
“He’s never ahead,” Sam said. “That’s the problem.”
“Can I quit her?” Freddie asked. “That would solve all my problems.”
“You can’t quit me. You’d die of boredom with anyone else as your partner.”
“Whatever.”
“Truth hurts, my little grasshopper.”
“I’m not speaking to you at the moment.”
“And yet, you’re still speaking to me.”
He turned toward the passenger-side window.
Sam laughed. “You’ll be back. You love me.”
Since she’d driven Freddie to silence, she took advantage of the opportunity to text Nick on the secure BlackBerry to see how he was doing after the news from Alaska. When he didn’t respond right away, she assumed he was in yet another meeting.
She texted her mom to make sure she was set for after-school duty with the kids. Brenda was filling in for Sam’s stepmother, Celia, while she was on a trip with her sisters.
I just got to the WH, Brenda replied, and yes, it’s still surreal to pop over to the WH to visit my grandchildren. Haha. Don’t worry about a thing. See you when you get home.
It’s still surreal to live there! Thanks for your help. Very much appreciated.
Completely my pleasure. Love every minute with them.
Sam was so glad to have made amends with her mother after a twenty-year breach in their relationship following her parents’ divorce.
She’d taken her father’s side and never looked back but had learned there were two sides to every story, and once she’d heard more about her mother’s perspective, she’d realized she had been wrong about a few things.
Back at HQ, they returned to the pit where the rest of their team was hard at work.
“Anything new, citizens?” Sam asked.
Gonzo spoke for all of them. “We’ve gone through financials, personal, work and school for all three victims, and nothing jumps out. We’re still working on the socials but not finding anything interesting there either.”
“I spoke with Walters in IT, and he’s got nothing for us from the cameras,” Freddie said as he ran his hand through his hair, his frustration apparent.
“Did the families shed any new light?” Detective Matt O’Brien asked.
“Nothing we can use,” Sam said.
“Where do we go from here, Lieutenant?” Detective Charles asked.
Sam had no idea what to tell her. “Go through it all again from the beginning. Review the reports, the autopsies, the family statements, everything.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Charles said, eager to please as always.
Sam loved working with her and predicted big things for her career.