Page 188 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“He heard the confession, same as we all did.”

“You think that’s going to matter to him?”

“Ma’am.”

Sam turned to Vernon, who pointed to his watch.

“I have to go,” Sam said to Malone. “I have to be there for Nick tonight.”

“Go ahead. I’m okay.”

“I’ll check on you after.” Sam squeezed his arm. “You did the right thing, Captain. You saved her life. That was the only call you could make, and it’ll hold up under scrutiny.”

He nodded, but she could see that he was still troubled—and with good reason. He’d just ordered the son of one of his officers killed. Not to mention, she knew better than anyone what a formidable enemy Ramsey could be.

Chapter Thirty-Six

“Mrs. Nelson is here, Mr. President,” Terry said.

“Any sign of Sam?” Nick asked as the clock ticked toward eight thirty. The reception for their invited guests was an hour in with no sign of his first lady.

“Not yet, but Lindsey texted to say they got their guy.”

“That’s good news.” Before he went to say hello to Mrs. Nelson, he took a second to check his BlackBerry, hoping for a message from Sam.

Nothing.

Damn it.

“What’s wrong, Dad?” Scotty asked when he joined him. “You’re making a face.”

“Just wondering if Mom will make it in time.”

“She said she’d be here.”

“She was supposed to be here an hour ago.”

“I saw on Twitter that the police shot and killed the guy who was raping and murdering women in the park. That’s probably why she’s late.”

“I hope she wasn’t the one who shot him,” Nick said, thinking of the trauma of taking the young man’s life and how much Ramsey already hated her.

“I read it was a sharpshooter.”

“Thank goodness for that.”

“Besides, she’s still on desk duty.”

Nick glanced at his son. “How much you want to bet she was there when it went down?”

“I don’t take bets I can’t win.”

“That’s my boy.”

“Congrats on your new vice president.”

“Thanks, buddy. We got her sworn in before the State of the Union, which was the goal. What’s Twitter saying about her?”

“People are excited about having a female VP, although the word ‘inexperienced’ is used a lot when your names are mentioned.”