Page 101 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“For some strange reason, we did.” Freddie handed her a coffee. “It’s not the same around here without you riding roughshod over everything.”

“I’m back on the horse today, albeit with a cane and limited duty.”

“We’ll take what we can get, LT,” Gonzo said. “I’m very happy to turn over management of this unruly crew back to you.”

“Thanks for all you did to keep things running smoothly.”

“We’re extremely frustrated to have made no real progress in the Olsen case,” Gonzo said.

“Let’s hit the conference room and start from scratch before we send Dani and Gigi home.”

When everyone was settled with coffee and doughnuts, Sam took her place at the head of the table. “Thank you all for holding down the fort, for the visits, the flowers, the good wishes. I really appreciate you guys. Give me the rundown on where we are.”

Gonzo and Freddie gave an overview of everything they’d done, from canvassing to reinterviewing everyone in Audrey’s life.

“The boyfriend and his brother are clear,” Gonzo said. “They’re both heartbroken over her murder. In addition, they voluntarily offered DNA so they could be eliminated as suspects.”

“Guilty people don’t do that,” Sam said, feeling frustrated.

“No, they don’t.”

“So we’ve got this guy on three sexual assaults and a murder,” Sam said, “and not a single lead.”

“Yes,” Gonzo said, his expression grim. “I keep going back to what Best suggested about FDS.”

Sam shook her head. “That’s not an option.”

“What if we made a case for a special exception to get a violent predator off the streets?” Cameron asked.

“We can try, but it’ll be a long shot.”

“I say it’s worth the long shot,” Gonzo said, “if it gives us something we didn’t have before.”

“I’ll take it to the captain and chief and see what they have to say,” Sam said. “In the meantime, let’s go back over everything again—phones, financials, witness statements, all of it. Let’s make sure we haven’t missed anything.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jeannie said for all of them.

Sam left the conference room and went into her office, which Gonzo had unlocked earlier. As she sat behind her desk, she released a deep breath full of relief to be back to her home away from home.

A knock on the door had her looking up at Dr. Anthony Trulo. “The rumors are true. The lioness is back in her den.”

Laughing, Sam waved him in. “She is. Still on the cane and on limited duty, but back nonetheless.”

“We’ll take you any way we can get you.” He sat in her visitor chair. “You’re feeling better?”

“Much. I don’t recommend the fractured hip.”

“I’ve heard it’s a bitch.”

“It was, and so was I after it happened. With no one to blame but myself.”

“I hate when that happens.”

“Thank you for keeping an eye on Gonzo and Jeannie in my absence. They both report you’ve been very helpful to them.”

“Glad to hear that. Waiting for the trial to conclude has been tough for all of us, especially Gonzo. And the news about the trafficking just gets worse all the time, as you know.”

“It’s unbelievable.”