Page 170 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“We’re going to have to be tough for Jeannie over the next few months,” Freddie said. “Word on the street isn’t great.”

“So I heard,” Sam said, “but whatever. They can fuck off and deal with it. There’s a new deputy chief in town, and she’s going to be incredible.”

At three thirty, they handed off the watch of Shane Ramsey to Sam’s friend Officer Charles and her partner, Officer Dickinson, with specific instructions on what to do if they saw him discard anything.

“You have gloves and evidence bags?” Sam asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Officer Charles said. She’d made a friend for life in Sam after the incredible job she did planning Skip Holland’s police funeral.

“When you hand off to the next shift, make sure to ask them the same thing.”

“We will,” Officer Charles said. “Give our congratulations to Deputy Chief McBride. She’s such an inspiration to me and other young Black female officers.”

“I’ll tell her. It’ll mean a lot to her.” Sam glanced toward the garage where Shane had been working all day. “He knows we’re watching him. Be safe out here, and don’t forget what we suspect he’s done.”

“We’ll be careful.”

While Gonzo and Freddie headed for the SUV, Sam paused as a thought occurred to her. “Have you taken the detective’s exam, Officer Charles?”

“I have and passed with flying colors. I’m just waiting for an opening.”

“I’ve got one in Homicide as of today. We should talk.”

The young woman’s expressive eyes went wide. “Seriously?”

“Absolutely. Come see me next week.”

“I’ll do that. Thank you so much.”

“You got it.” Confident she’d left the investigation in capable hands, Sam rode with Freddie and Gonzo to city hall.

“You gotta love the circle of life,” Freddie said, “with Jeannie being sworn in as deputy chief on Arnold’s one-year anniversary.”

“He’d be so proud of her,” Gonzo said.

“He’d be proud of you, too, and how you fought for and got justice for him,” Freddie said.

Sam’s emotions were all over the place as she listened to them and picked through the memories from the last brutal year. While much had been lost, so much had been gained, too, including a new appreciation for one another and the blue brother- and sisterhood they shared. They were more than just her coworkers. They were as much her family as her blood family, and she loved them.

A commander probably shouldn’t have so much love for the people who worked for her. Maybe that was a failing, but it was one she could certainly live with.

At city hall, they went through security, secured their weapons and made their way to the main hall, where the ceremony would take place. Seeing Jeannie wearing the deputy chief’s uniform for the first time as she chatted with the rest of their squad brought tears to Sam’s eyes and had her taking a step back to get it together before she embarrassed herself.

It came as no surprise to realize Freddie had followed her.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, it’s just, you know… That particular uniform…”

“Your dad’s uniform.”

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “He’d love seeing it on Jeannie.”

“Yes, he certainly would. He’s here with us. I’m sure of it.”

Sam squeezed his arm. “Thanks.”

He nodded. “Can’t help but notice the turnout from HQ is kind of sparse.”