Page 172 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

After everyone had eaten the Arnold-themed junk food, Sam stood with the microphone Gideon had made sure was on the large square table they’d set in the elegant State Dining Room. “Ahem,” she said to get their attention. “I want to thank you all for being here tonight for what’s turned into a two-part event. Part one is our solemn remembrance of our friend and colleague, Detective AJ Arnold, who left us far too soon one year ago today. As we have every day for the last year, we remember AJ’s humor, the no-strings-attached friendship he offered each of us and his almost childlike enthusiasm for the job. We love him. We miss him. We will remember him always. I must also mention AJ’s devoted partner, Sergeant Tommy Gonzales, who was instrumental in ensuring that the man who took AJ from us will never have the chance to kill again.” Sam led an enthusiastic round of applause for Gonzo, who shook his head as if to deflect praise he didn’t feel he deserved.

“Tommy, what happened to Arnold and to you is something we all fear every time we strap on the badge and hit the streets. You were tireless in your efforts to get justice for your beloved partner, and we’re incredibly proud of you.”

His wife, Christina, put her arm around him, and he leaned into her as he wiped away tears with the back of his hand.

“AJ’s dad, John, would like to say something, so I’ll turn it over to him.”

Sam handed the microphone to John Arnold, who was seated next to her.

He stood and cleared his throat. “Thank you, President Cappuano and Lieutenant Holland, for this beautiful evening in honor of our son. He’d be amazed to see us celebrating him at the White House, of all places. Thank you, Gonzo, Jeannie, Will, Freddie, Dani, Gigi, Cameron, Captain Malone, Chief Farnsworth and the entire MPD for the way you’ve honored AJ over this last difficult year. Nothing can prepare a father, mother, sisters or devoted girlfriend for this kind of sudden, shocking loss. But the love and support we’ve received from AJ’s brothers and sisters in blue has gotten us through it. He loved you all so much, and on behalf of our family, we thank you for the many ways you continue to honor his memory.”

By the time he handed the microphone back to her, Sam had a huge lump in her throat and tears in her eyes. She would never get over the senseless loss of such a promising young officer.

Nick squeezed her hand as she stood to finish her remarks. “When we planned this event, we had no idea we’d also have something big to celebrate tonight, and that is the promotion of our wonderful friend and colleague, Deputy Chief Jeannie McBride.”

Sam led a round of applause for Jeannie, who smiled as widely as Sam had seen her smile since her wedding day.

“Jeannie, we’re so incredibly proud to call you our friend, our colleague and our deputy chief. And I just want to add… Skip Holland would be busting his buttons if he were here to see you wearing his former rank.”

“Thank you, Sam, and everyone for your support. I appreciate it so much—and I’m going to need it going forward.”

“You have it,” Sam assured her.

After that, the butlers brought in chocolate cake and served after-dinner drinks. They ate, they reminisced, they laughed, and they remembered Detective Arnold even as they celebrated Deputy Chief McBride.

“How’re you feeling, babe?” Nick asked Sam.

“Incredibly emotional. Freddie said it best earlier. It’s the circle of life, and I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Jeannie was sworn in today, of all days.”

“I don’t think it was either. Skip’s up there rubbing his hands together with glee after having orchestrated it all.”

Sam rested her head on Nick’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“Neither would I.”

The next day, Sam was staked out again with Freddie and Gonzo, watching, waiting and hoping Shane Ramsey would fuck up.

“What if he never gives us anything?” Freddie asked.

“He will,” Sam said with more confidence than she’d felt when she first settled on this surveillance plan.

Her phone rang with a call from Elijah, which she found odd. He rarely called her, especially during a workday. “Hey, what’s up? Everything okay?”

“Everything is great.”

“I take that to mean things are going well with Candace?”

“Couldn’t be better.”

“I’m happy for you, Eli. Truly.”

“Thanks. It’s been so great to be back together with her and to find that nothing has changed for either of us.”

“Did Nick lecture you about keeping your eye on the ball at school?”

Laughing, Eli said, “He did, and I am. I’m calling you as a favor to a friend.”

“How so?”