Page 13 of State of Retribution (First Family #9)
“Not the first time. Won’t be the last. It’s not easy being me around here.”
As she laughed, she was full of appreciation for her best friend, her partner, the brother of her heart. News traveled fast at HQ, especially when a high-profile commander fainted during a meeting about the heinous crimes of a disgraced former lieutenant who’d twice tried to kill her.
Before the rest of her squad could swarm her, she held up her hands. “I’m fine. Nothing to see here. Let’s get back to work.”
To Freddie, she said, “I want to call Archie to see if we can talk to his friend. She may be the key to this whole thing.”
“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but are you sure you shouldn’t go home?”
“I’m very sure. I’ll call Archie, and hopefully, we can go over there today.” She went into her office and shut the door, dropping into her desk chair and taking a deep breath that she hoped would help to stop the spinning in her head.
A knock sounded on her door, and before she could tell the visitor to go away, Dr. Trulo stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
“I’m fine. I’m busy. Go away.”
“Is that any way to greet a friend?”
“I don’t want to be fawned over. I was overheated, and now I’m not. All good in the hood.”
“Then why are you pale as a ghost and your hands are shaking?”
“I just need some water.” She picked up one of the half-full discarded bottles on her desk and downed the rest of the water inside. “Much better.”
“Sam.”
“Yes?”
“Knock it off.”
“Knock what off?”
“We all know the temperature of the room isn’t what took you down.”
“I’m sorry to have caused a stir. The others were right when they said I shouldn’t have attended that meeting, but you know how I hate to be treated like I’m special or different or whatever.”
“In this case, you’re the only commander in this department Stahl tried to kill. Twice.”
“That’s old news.”
“Will it ever be old news to you?”
Sam took another deep breath and forced herself to be kind in the way she spoke to a man who’d been a tremendous friend to her.
He was one of the primary reasons she was still able to do the job after what Stahl had put her through.
“I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know, but the last thing I want or need right now is to be psychoanalyzed.
I overheated. That’s all it was. I’m fine and eager to get back to work. ”
He could smell bullshit a mile away, and now was no exception.
But thankfully, rather than pursue the matter, he said, “You know where I am if you need me.”
“I take great comfort in knowing you’re nearby.”
He gave her a warm smile. “Then I’ll let you get back to it.”
“Thanks for caring, Doc.”
“Always, my friend.”
After he left, Sam pulled out the BlackBerry to text Nick. Because we have a deal… I was in a meeting about the new charges about to be filed against Stahl when I apparently passed out. It was hella hot in there. I’m fine, back to work. Nothing to worry about. What goes on there?
Sending that text went against everything she used to believe in about pushing bad or difficult things aside and powering through.
Her husband didn’t like hearing news about her issues on the job through the grapevine, which was more than possible with Gonzo’s wife, Christina, serving as Nick’s press secretary.
The BlackBerry rang with a call from him. “Yes, dear?”
“You’re sure you’re all right?”
“Positive.”
“Samantha… Tell me the truth.”
“I swear. I’m fine. It was a weird moment, and it’s over now. I’m back to work. What’s the latest over there?”
“Nothing new to report on the drones, and we’re working on the situation in Alaska. Hope is beginning to fade for survivors.”
She appreciated that he didn’t dwell on her fainting. “No.”
“I know. It’s awful. An entire village of children, not to mention the teachers and staff, as well as others in the area. We’ve sent in everyone who can help. Now it’s just a waiting game.”
“I can’t even think about what all those parents must be going through, some of them with multiple kids in the school.”
“We were just saying that.”
“Do you have to go there?”
“Eventually, but not now when I’d be more of a distraction than anything.”
“I’m sorry you’re dealing with another upsetting thing.”
“Goes with the job, or so I’m told. I’m okay as long as you are.”
“All good here. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“I can’t wait to hug you.”
“Same, love. See you soon.”
“Be careful with my wife. I love her more than anything.”
“Will do. Love you more, and I already won that fight, so don’t even try it.”
He laughed, as she’d hoped he would. “We’ll continue this fight later.”
“Can’t wait.”
Sam hated ending calls with him, the only person she wanted to talk to all the time. Well, him and their kids. She never got tired of being around them, but there was work to be done before she could go home to them. After finding Archie’s cell number in her contacts, she called him.
“Are you okay? I heard you passed out.”
For fuck’s sake. “I’m fine. How’s your friend doing?”
“A little better.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Listen… I hate to ask you this, but we’ve got dick on this case. Is there any way we might be able to talk to her today? If it’s the same attacker, she’s the only one who got out alive.”
“I was thinking about that. Hers was different. After she was hit in back of the head, she was drugged and sexually assaulted. From what I’ve read about your other vics, they were only hit from behind.”
“They were, but I’d still like to talk to her if at all possible. You know how this can go. She might remember some small thing that’ll blow the whole case wide open.”
“She’s very fragile, Sam. I don’t know if putting her through that right now is the right thing to do.”
“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t feel it was urgent that we stop this person before they kill someone else.”
“Let me talk to her and see if she’s up to it.”
“Thank you, Archie.”
“I’ll get back to you.”
The line went dead, and Sam closed her phone, feeling bad for having pressured him—and his friend—at such a difficult time. However, other lives were in danger until they caught this killer.