Page 54 of State of Retribution (First Family #9)

“ J ust a little call with your POTUS hubby?”

“Nah, that was my side piece.”

Jeannie laughed as she took a seat. “As if you’d ever cheat on the man who’s so wild about you that SNL mocks the two of you.”

“Cringe. I can’t even think about SNL without wanting to run away.”

“It’s become my favorite show.”

“You can’t say that and be my friend, too.”

“Whoops.”

“What’s up, Deputy Chief McBride? And yes, I still get a kick out of saying that.”

“And I still get a kick out of hearing it. I wanted to check in to see how you’re doing. It’s been a rough day around here.”

“You’d think I’d be used to the rough days after all this time. And yet…”

“This one is extra awful. Those crosshairs… My God.”

“Yeah, that was the part that got to me, too, as they knew it would. And what happened to Archie’s girlfriend… It’s beyond horrible.”

“How’s she doing?”

“A little better. She recognized Offenbach as the one who attacked her when she saw his picture on the news.”

“Oh wow, which means she’s also remembering the assault.”

“Apparently so.”

“Do you think she’d be up for talking to someone who gets what she’s going through?”

“I’m sure it couldn’t hurt. Why don’t you reach out to Archie about that?”

“I will. But I came here to talk about you. I’m hoping all this, coupled with all the crap that’d happened before this, isn’t pushing you into an existential crisis about continuing on the job.”

“It might have without the support of all my friends. Having you all come out to support me at the podium was amazing.”

“That was Lindsey’s idea, and we were all for it.”

“It lifted me up when I needed it, as did the statement Gonzo made for the squad and what Lenore said. Malone is fired up, and so is the chief. That makes a difference.”

“After the Deasly case, I went through it myself, wondering how I could continue to wear the badge and do the job when we’d failed that family—and so many others—for more than a decade.”

Jeannie had investigated one of Stahl’s unsolved cold cases involving a missing teenager and uncovered a human trafficking ring that was still being unraveled months later.

“It’s taken some time with Dr. Trulo and talking it out with my family here and at home to realize that there was nothing I could’ve done to stop others from failing to do the right thing,” Jeannie said, “and by taking on guilt that should belong to them, I was punishing myself for other people’s sins. Or something like that.”

“You make a very good point, and I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better about things than you were.”

“Dr. Trulo has helped me to see we can only do what we can do. We can’t control the actions of others. We can only control how we react to them. I choose to put good before evil and to always do the right thing rather than the expeditious thing.”

“I hope you know how much I admire your courage and resilience.” After Jeannie had been kidnapped and assaulted by Mitchell Sanborn, Sam had worried her friend might never come back to work.

She’d not only come back, but she’d come back stronger than ever and had made an epic bust in the Deasly case.

“That means a lot to me, but I give you most of the credit for dragging me back to work.”

“I wouldn’t want to do this job without you.”

“Same goes. Please don’t quit us.”

Sam laughed. “What the hell would I do with myself without this job?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Jeannie said with a grin. “Maybe travel the world and give speeches?”

“That’d require far too much flying and peopling.” Sam wrinkled her nose. “I’m much happier right here in this shabby office with my beat-up desk and dented file cabinet.”

“I’m relieved to hear you’re planning to stick it out.”

“What choice do I have? It’s in my blood.”

“Yes, it is. While we’re discussing things you dislike, my mother and sisters are planning a baby shower that you’ll be invited to. You’re under absolutely no obligation.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“Do you have a fever or something?”

“You’re the second person to ask me that in an hour!”

Jeannie laughed. “Well, it’s unusual for you to respond enthusiastically to something like a baby shower.”

“It’s possible I could be growing up. Finally.”

“Nah, don’t let that happen. We like you just the way you are.”

“Thanks for coming by and for all the support. Means the world to me.”

“Anything for you.”

“Likewise, my friend.”

“Your dad said something to me once that I’ve always remembered,” Jeannie said as she stood to leave.

“What was that?”

“When you put good out into the world, it comes back to you exponentially.”

“That sounds like something he would say.”

“He lived it, and so do you. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Carry on.”

That was another thing Skip Holland might’ve said , Sam thought. When you have no choice but to carry on, that’s what you should do, so that’s what she would do, regardless of whatever challenges came her way.

Before she could leave for the day, Sam had to meet with Faith Miller to go over her testimony for the upcoming Christopher Nelson trial.

Faith was right on time, appearing in the door to Sam’s office at the stroke of four o’clock, wearing the stiletto heels that she and her sister Charity were known for, while their triplet sister Hope had a more casual style.

The Miller triplets had brown hair, green eyes, and were fiercely intelligent.

Sam considered the sisters friends as well as excellent colleagues.

“Come in.”

Faith closed the door and dropped into the chair. “I’ve been on the run all day. Feels good to sit down.”

“How are things?” The murder of their boss, U.S. Attorney Tom Forrester, had devastated the sisters.

“We’re finding a new normal, but I keep wanting to ask Tom something and have to stop myself and remember once again that he’s gone.”

“That’s grief for you.”

“I hate it.”

“So do I. What’re you hearing about the new USA?”

“The Senate is due to take up the nomination of Catherine McDermott in the next couple of weeks. We’re anticipating some significant changes when she arrives.”

“I also hate change.”

“Right there with you. How’re you doing after everything today? And by the way, it’s a freaking outrage. The whole thing.”

“Yes, it is, and I’m hanging in, thanks to a ton of support from my colleagues and friends.”

“I hope you know you have ours, even if we can’t come out and say so.”

“I do know, and it means a lot. Thank you.”

“I couldn’t believe the news about Conklin.”

“I’m actually surprised he waited so long to punch out. The shame of it all would’ve been tough for him to handle after pretending to be one of us for so many years.”

“That’s true, but it’s still so shocking. Anyway, about our old pal Christopher Nelson…”

“Do we gotta?”

“We do,” Faith said with a sigh. She opened her portfolio and went through the list of questions she’d ask Sam in court, which they’d already reviewed twice before. “I want you prepared for a beating from the defense, especially pertaining to your relationship with Peter.”

Nelson had murdered Sam’s ex-husband after having him tortured for information about Sam and Nick that Peter had refused to divulge. In the end, he’d shown some honor despite putting her through hell for years and conspiring to keep her away from Nick after they first met.

“I’m prepared for whatever they throw my way. I’ve made no secret of the fact that our relationship was terrible, but he sure as hell didn’t deserve what Nelson did to him.”

“No, he didn’t.”

“It does get old,” Sam said, “fending off attacks left and right.”

“I’m sure it does, especially from the old boys’ club.”

“Yes! Enough already.” Sam gathered her stuff and walked out of the office with Faith, who promised to touch base the night before the trial began. “Talk to you then.”

Vernon, who stood watch in the hallway, straightened when he saw her emerge from the office.

“Anything new?” she asked him.

“Just a much bigger detail for the time being.”

“Oh joy.”

“Somehow, I knew you’d say that.”

“I’m worried this could drag on. Offenbach knows how to stay off the radar.”

“He’s made himself the most wanted man in America with that video threatening the lives of the first couple. We’ll find him.”

“Is Ramsey saying anything?” Sam asked as they walked toward the morgue exit.

“He was in surgery the last I heard. They’re waiting for the chance to interview him.”

“He won’t help them find Offenbach.”

“You never know what someone will do when they’re facing the prospect of dying in prison.”

“I guess we’ll see, but I’d be surprised if he gives up anything helpful.”

The lights were off in the morgue, which meant Lindsey had left for the day. Sam nodded to Agent Q, who stood inside the door. That alone was a change of procedure. Usually, Jimmy waited outside with the vehicle.

When Q pushed open the door, Sam saw that Vernon wasn’t kidding about the much larger detail. The number of cars rivaled what they used to transport Nick.

“Holy smokes.”

Vernon held the back door for her as he scanned the parking lot. “Yeah, we’re not taking any chances.”

When they were on their way to the White House, Sam asked how Jimmy was doing.

“He’s hoping to go home tomorrow,” Vernon said.

“That’s good news.”

“He’s driving Liz crazy wanting to get out of the hospital.”

“I’m sure. I’d be the same way.”

Vernon glanced at her in the mirror. “As I recall, you were the same way when you fractured your hip.”

“Don’t use my past against me. It’s against the rules in the SUV.”

Vernon’s snort of laughter seemed to take Q by surprise.

“Don’t worry, Q,” Sam said. “The gloves are off in the SUV.”

“I guess so,” Q said. “I had no idea y’all were having so much fun on this detail.”

“I’m a good time had by all,” Sam said.

The two men cracked up.

Her work there was finished.

Sam took a call from Detective Carlucci. “Hey, what’s up?”