Page 37 of State of Retribution (First Family #9)
S am held on tight to him, soaking in the comfort only he could provide.
“They will not win. Tell me you know that.”
“I’m wavering after today.”
“Nothing can defeat my strong, courageous, compassionate cop, especially a bunch of punk-ass men who’ll never be half the detective or person you are.”
“It’s hot when you say things like punk-ass.”
“Samantha, I’m being serious.”
She pulled back so he could see her smile as she looked up at him. “So am I.”
He kissed her softly and sweetly, giving her the tenderness she badly needed just then. “Where are you supposed to be right now?”
“Exactly where I am.”
“That can’t possibly be true.”
“I cleared my afternoon when I heard you were coming home.”
“Nick… You can’t do that.”
“I already did.”
“You’re giving them another reason to attack you by going silent right when this shit storm is hitting.”
“I was hoping you might be able to make a statement in response to the stuff Hector Reese is saying.”
“The chief has forbidden me to speak to the media or any member of my team for the next two weeks, but they’re issuing a statement that I contributed to.”
“So you’re supposed to allow your reputation to be trashed without a single word from you? That’s bullshit, babe. He needs to let you defend yourself.”
“They’re consulting with the lawyers because Reese’s media tour also came with a lawsuit against me, Malone and the department. We’ll see what they say after they’ve heard back from the department counsel.”
“He can’t prohibit you from speaking as first lady.”
“That’s a fine line, and we both know it.”
“We have to do something.”
“Back when you were first president, I stopped by Avery and Shelby’s so I could ask her to be the social secretary in person. While I was there, Avery took me aside to tell me the Reese incident had come up during their investigation of the department.”
“What did he say about it?”
“Just that it’d been mentioned. I asked if he thought it would turn into a big deal, and he said he didn’t know yet but would warn me if he could.
I’m not sure if he knew this was coming or not, but I wish I’d paid more attention to it at the time.
Maybe I could’ve figured out where that was coming from and found a way to put a lid on it before it exploded. ”
“We were a little busy then. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“I was unprepared for what feels like a coordinated attack coming from inside my own house, assuming that’s what this is and not Hector Reese finally getting around to filing a lawsuit.” In light of current events, she believed it was far more likely an in-house hit job.
“Of course you were unprepared. You go there every day, work your ass off, try to do the right thing and have to deal with this bullshit because of a bunch of fucking jealous man babies.”
“It’s very sexy when you say things like ‘fucking jealous man babies.’”
“I’m being serious.”
“I know you are. That’s why it’s sexy.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously in love with you.” She rested her head on his chest and took a few more minutes to soak up his special brand of comfort.
“I told the chief I have the Christopher Nelson trial to prep for, which he said I could do, but that’s another reminder of the many times people have come for us, trying to ruin us because they want what we have, or they’re jealous or insecure or fucked-up and want someone to blame.
We’re so lucky to have everything we do, as well as the best security in the world, but on days like this, the downside is a lot. ”
“I’m sorry for my role in putting us where we are.”
“You mean for putting us in the White House?”
Smiling, he said, “Yeah, that.”
Hearing Scotty talking to his agents down the hall had them pulling apart to greet their son.
“Whoa,” Scotty said, surprised to find them in the kitchen. “You’re both here. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing to worry about,” Sam said. “A little dustup at work. We’re handling it.”
He eyed her warily. “Did you get in trouble?”
“Something like that.”
“What’d you do?”
“Something I shouldn’t have done two years ago that’s come back to bite me in the ass.”
“Is that the thing that’s all over the news?”
“What did you see?”
“A thing about a guy named Hector talking shit about you.”
Normally, she’d remind him about their swear jar, but this was no time for such concerns. “He’s telling the truth. I roughed him up when he was in custody, and I deserve every bit of criticism I get about it.”
“But why is it coming out now?”
“Possibly because someone I work with has decided they’ve had enough of me on the job, and they want to run me out.”
“Have they succeeded?”
“For the next two weeks, anyway. We’ll see after that.”
“Two weeks. Damn. Are you okay?”
Sam reached out to him, and he moved into her embrace. “I’m much better now that I’ve seen you and Dad.”
“Mostly me, though, right?”
Sam laughed. “Absolutely.”
“Hey!” Nick said, making Scotty crack up.
“You’re losing your touch, old man.”
“I ain’t losing nothing.”
“Grammar, Dad. You’re the president, for crying out loud.”
As she held Scotty close, she finally exhaled, reminded that as long as she had them, she’d be fine no matter what happened in the outside world.
“I hate to break up this mother-son snuggle,” Nick said, “but my team would like to issue a statement about the story of the moment. Would you be willing to help with that, Sam?”
Sam reluctantly released Scotty and smoothed her fingers over his dark hair. “I’m not allowed to speak publicly about it.”
“What?” Scotty asked. “Why not?”
“The chief told me not to say anything.”
“So you’re supposed to just take an ass-kicking without fighting back?” Scotty asked, incredulous.
“Swear jar.” Sam tried to make a stern face and apparently failed, because Scotty smiled. “And yes, that’s what I’ve been ordered to do.”
“He can’t order you not to make a statement as first lady, can he?” Scotty asked.
“If it has to do with my work at the MPD, then yes, he can.” To Nick, she said, “I’m sorry. I know it’s a huge distraction when you have much bigger things to deal with.”
“Nothing is more important to me than you are, and the whole world knows that.”
Scotty moaned. “Is there gonna be kissing and stuff?”
Nick zeroed in on Sam’s lips. “Any second now.”
“I’m outta here.”
Smiling as Scotty headed for the door, Nick dropped a lingering kiss on her lips and then hugged her. “It’s so easy to get rid of him.”
“The very threat of kissing sends him running for his life.”
“Are we irreparably damaging him?”
“Nah, we’re showing him how it should be.”
“I hope he gets as lucky as we did.”
“He will. He’s an amazing guy. Any woman would be lucky to have him.”
“I’m trying to picture you being nice to the woman who takes Scotty away from you. The words ‘rusty steak knife’ come to mind.”
“If she’s not nice to him, I’ll run her through with the rustiest one I can find.”
“Someone ought to warn the young women of the world to watch out for the first lady. She’s feral when it comes to her son.”
“Plural. Sons. I have three of them. Can you believe that?”
“I wish you could see the look of wonder on your face when you say that. It’s the sweetest thing ever.”
“I love being a mom, and for the next two weeks, I get to be one full time. And a full-time first lady, if you’ll have me.”
“Oh, I’ll have you,” he said with a dirty grin. “And P.S., that’s a great way to spin a devastating series of events.”
“It’s very upsetting, but not like it would’ve been before I had you guys to come home to. You all make everything better because I know that no matter what happens out there, I’ve got you and the kids waiting for me here.”
“Works both ways, babe. We love having you as much as you love having us. I can’t wait to come upstairs to you guys.”
“It’s important to count the blessings, especially when the shit is hitting the fan. My gut is telling me none of this is coincidental. Someone is out to get me.”
“What’s being done about that?”
“Avery is on it, which is another thing the chief is pissed about. I told him about Offenbach being obsessed with drones before I told the chief.”
“Offenbach is obsessed with drones?”
“Yeah, I heard that on the QT.”
“He’s the one who was having the affair, right?”
“One and the same.”
“Is this whole thing going to lead to him?”
“I’m starting to wonder, and that’s what I told Avery.”
“Is Joe right to be pissed?”
“I suppose, but I told him I was acting as the first lady when I passed that info on to the FBI. That didn’t go over so well, as I directed a federal investigation at someone who works for him without giving him a heads-up first. I was just so shocked by what I’d heard about the drones that I didn’t think.
I just acted by telling Avery. But I hate feeling like I disappointed Joe with all he does for me. ”
“He’ll get over it when he has a second to calm down and think it through.”
“He was as mad as I’ve ever seen him.”
“Because he was caught off guard, like everyone else was. Of course, that’s what they wanted.”
“I’m sure it was.” Sam shook her head. “Imagine spending the limited time you have in this life trying to exact revenge on people you blame for screwing up your life and career when you did that all on your own.”
“It’s a sick way to live, and it gives me nightmares to think about people coming for you that way.”
“I feel better knowing Avery is on it. If there’s something to be found, he’ll find it.”
“I sure as hell hope so.”
Gonzo called the squad into the conference room and closed the door when they were all there. He’d asked Dominguez and Carlucci to come in an hour early so they could be there for this meeting.
“What’s going on, Sarge?” Detective Matt O’Brien asked. He’d been in the field with Green when Gonzo had told the others the news. “Where’s the LT?”
“She’s been suspended for two weeks over this uproar with the Hector Reese case.”
“That’s total bullshit,” Detective Cameron Green said. “It happened two years ago, and it’s only come to life now because someone is obviously trying to take her down.”
“What’s your theory?” Gonzo asked as he propped himself on the corner of the conference room table.
“Does anyone think it’s a coincidence that someone pointed anonymous drones at the White House when she and everyone she loves would be fully exposed,” Green said, “then shot at her on the street and resurrected a two-year-old scandal, all in the course of a few days?”
Captain Malone had come into the room while Green was speaking. “There’s no way it’s a coincidence.”
“So why is she suspended?” Detective Neveah Charles asked.
“The chief had no choice but to suspend her as we look into the allegations raised by Reese in his lawsuit and in the media,” Malone said.
“What’s this got to do with our murders?” Cruz asked.
“I don’t know yet,” Green said, “but it’s all related. Somehow.”
“Lieutenant Archelotta called me,” Gonzo said. “He thinks the abduction and assault of his new girlfriend could be related, too.”
“I hear what you’re all saying,” Malone said. “But it still feels like a huge stretch to connect murders that happened when she was off duty and out of town to whatever the rest of this is.”
“Think about it, Cap,” Cruz said. “If you want to bring her back from wherever she is, kill three people in three days.”
“That’s true,” Malone said.
“And we often follow the same routine with every case,” Cruz said. “Check in with the victims’ families, their places of business, their friends, etc. She likes to do that stuff personally, even when others have been there before her. It’s not hard to predict what she’ll do in pursuit of justice.”
“That’s what made her easy pickings on the street in Adams Morgan,” Green said. “They knew she’d eventually go there to figure out if the abduction of Harlowe St. John was related.”
“So someone lies in wait for days with the hope that she might show up there?” Malone asked. “That feels implausible to me.”
“Unless they were following her, which isn’t hard to do, even with all the Secret Service surrounding her,” O’Brien said.
“Wouldn’t the agents pick up on a tail?” Malone asked.
“I mean they’re always vigilant, but they could’ve missed it,” Gonzo said.
“The tail could’ve been way back,” Charles said. “Far enough that they’d never pick it up but close enough to keep tabs on her whereabouts.”
“What do we know about the bullet that hit Agent McFarland?” Gonzo asked.
“Let me make some calls on that,” Malone said. “See what I can find out.”
“We’re going to proceed under the assumption that it’s all related,” Gonzo said.
“I caught a couple of Reese’s interviews earlier,” Carlucci said. “The cable shows are eating him up.”
“Of course they are,” Cruz said. “Which is exactly what these people wanted—for Sam to be on defense, defending her job and reputation.”
O’Brien scrolled through his phone. “Lenore Worthington made a statement in support of Sam. ‘I’ve known Officer Holland and later Lieutenant Holland for more than fifteen years, since my son, Calvin, was murdered, and while I can’t comment on the specifics of what Mr. Reese is claiming, anyone who says she’s racist doesn’t know her at all.
It’s patently false and an egregious accusation toward someone who stridently seeks justice for all victims, regardless of race or any other factors. ’”
“That’ll mean a lot to Sam,” Cruz said.
“Let’s figure this shit out before they make it impossible for her to ever come back,” Gonzo said. “Where are we with the warrant to dump Ramsey’s phone?”
“He’s fighting back,” Malone said. “There’s a hearing in the morning on it.”
“What possible grounds could he have to fight back when he’s facing numerous felony charges?” Cruz asked.
“That’ll be my question at the hearing,” Malone said. “I’m on that, and I’ll let you know as soon as I have more info.”
A knock on the door preceded Deputy Chief McBride coming in and looking upset. “I just heard from a reporter asking me whether Sam and her father covered up a murder and if I knew about it, too.”