Page 55 of State of Retribution (First Family #9)
“I was thinking about something. Not sure if it’s relevant or not, but when I was in the academy with Dylan Offenbach, he organized a weekend party once at a camp his family owns in the Shenandoahs.
I can’t remember exactly where it is, but there were cabins, a lake, hiking trails and shooting ranges.
He told us he’d first learned to shoot there when he was seven or eight, and it’s where he’d honed his craft. ”
Sam’s backbone tingled with sensation. “This is excellent info, Dani. I’ll pass it on to Avery.”
“I can’t believe Dylan is involved in something like this. He was so by-the-book back then.”
“At some point, he lost his way and made a series of bad decisions that led us to where we are today.”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I would’ve bet he was one of the good guys.”
“It’s always disappointing when people we came up with prove themselves unworthy of the badge and all it represents.”
“For sure.”
“Thanks for the call and for passing along the info. I’ll keep you posted.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Sam closed her phone to end that call and reopened it to call Avery.
“Hey, so I just talked to Detective Carlucci on my team. She went through the academy with Offenbach.” Sam told him about the camp in the Shenandoahs that Dani had recalled visiting with him at that time.
“She said his family owned it. Not sure if it was the father’s family or the mother’s. ”
“This is great info, as we’re currently no closer to finding him than we were earlier. I can figure out the mother’s family name. If they still own the place, we’ll find it.”
“Keep me posted?”
“As much as I can. Pass along my thanks to Carlucci. This could be the break we’ve been waiting for.”
“Will do.”
Sam ended the call and then texted Carlucci to pass along Avery’s thanks.
I sure hope it helps.
Me, too.
“Is there a lead?” Vernon asked.
Sam filled him and Q in on what Carlucci had told her and how she’d passed it on to Hill.
“I’m picturing this guy, Offenbach, pumped up to take his new cop friends to his family’s place in the mountains to show off his mad shooting skills,” Vernon said.
“Yes, and wouldn’t it be something if that very same outing led to his downfall?”
“Indeed it would.”
The SUV was making the turn into the White House gates when the BlackBerry buzzed with a text from Andy to her, Nick and Elijah.
Two bits of great news to share. First, the judge has set a date of April 20 for the adoption proceeding, and second, we’ve succeeded in getting Elijah’s juvenile record in California expunged.
Elijah answered first. YESSSS! LET’S GO!!!!!
Sam responded next. I’m so, so happy to hear this news. Thank you, Andy, for everything you’ve done to make both things happen. We can’t wait to make official what’s already true: Elijah, Aubrey and Alden are our family.
What Sam said, Nick replied. I’m so relieved on both counts and can’t wait for April 20. Thank you so much, Andy.
A pleasure to help you all make it official, Andy said.
“Wow,” Sam said to Vernon and Q. “Want a scoop that you can’t tell anyone?”
“Um, yes, please,” Vernon said.
“On April twentieth, Nick and I will officially adopt Elijah, Aubrey and Alden.”
“That’s amazing news,” Vernon said. “Congratulations, Mom.”
Having him call her that just made this moment that much sweeter.
“Congratulations,” Q added. “I’m so happy for all of you.”
“Thank you, both. Please don’t tell even your significant others.
I’m sure there’ll be a plan for making this news public after it’s official.
” What she left unsaid was that they didn’t want to take any chances of the twins’ money-hungry grandparents, aunt and uncle finding out about the plan until it was too late to change it.
“We won’t breathe a word of it,” Vernon said.
In just a few days, Sam would be the official mother of four children. They could stop calling Elijah their bonus son and just refer to him as their son. She who’d once believed she’d never have children now had three sons and a daughter. Not to mention a daughter-in-law!
This felt like one of the most significant days of her life, right up there with her wedding to Nick, the day they’d officially adopted Scotty and her first day on the job.
She should probably count Nick becoming president as one of the most significant days, too.
Funny how that was almost an afterthought compared to her four amazing children.
Vernon opened the back door of the SUV and gave her a hand out. “Happy for you, kid. You deserve a big win after this ridiculous week.”
“Thank you, Vernon. I’m happy to be able to share it with you.”
“Let me know the schedule for tomorrow when you have it.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks again for everything.”
“It’s a pleasure to work with you.”
“You as well.”
Sam wasn’t surprised to find Nick waiting to greet her inside the foyer. She let out a happy shout and ran for him, mindless of who might be watching them embrace moments after learning their adoption of Elijah and the twins would soon be official.
The clicking of a camera reminded her that almost everything they did in this building was available for public consumption. “Let’s go upstairs to celebrate,” she whispered in his ear.
He never put her down when he headed for the steps, taking them two at a time in his haste to be alone with her.
That would probably be a skit on Saturday Night Live in a week or two, but what did she care as her husband put her down, pressed her against the wall outside the Lincoln Bedroom and kissed her face off?
“Look at us,” he said after he shifted his attention to her neck, making her want to purr with pleasure. “The parents of four kids .”
“I can’t believe it’s real.” And she never forgot that two special people had to die in the most horrific way imaginable to make this possible for them.
“It’s very real and about to be official.”
“What in the name of God is happening?” Scotty asked. “You have a whole-ass bedroom right down the hall, and you’re making out like teenagers where anyone might see you?”
They lost it laughing.
“It’s not funny! What if the twins had seen you instead of me?”
“I think they would’ve survived the shock,” Nick said as he put Sam in front of him to hide the proof of his arousal. He kept his hands on her shoulders as they walked down the hallway toward their son.
“It’s unseemly, even for you two, to be making out like you haven’t seen each other in a month, right outside the Lincoln Bedroom.”
Sam bopped him on the head and then kissed his cheek. “We got very good news.”
“Must’ve been.”
“It’s the very best news. We’ve got a court date on April twentieth to make the adoption of Eli, Alden and Aubrey official.”
“Oh wow, that is good news.” He glanced up at them. “Does that mean no one can ever try to take them away from us again?”
“That’s exactly what it means,” Nick said.
“So I’m going to be a brother.”
“You already are,” Sam said. “This only makes it legal.”
“I guess, in light of this amazing news, I’ll give you a pass on the unseemly behavior.”
“Gee, thanks, pal,” Nick said. “You’re a sport.”
“You want to come with us to tell the twins the news?” Sam asked.
“ Hell yes. Let’s do it.”