Page 198 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“Ugh, I hate that for you guys.”

“Whatever. His son was a serial rapist-murderer who took a woman hostage. By taking his life, we saved hers. Those facts are irrefutable.”

“You have the truth on your side, although this case reminds me a bit of John and Thomas.” John O’Connor’s son had killed him and the women his father had slept with in some misguided attempt to gain justice for his mother.

“I’ve thought that, too, and yes, the truth is on our side,” Sam said. “Malone is using the suspension to try to find the captain who aided and abetted Stahl’s efforts to hide the fact that he didn’t do shit on the job. Captain Rosa seems to have gone missing, so we’ll be digging into that next week.”

“Do they think he was the one who helped Stahl?”

“Everyone else who was a captain or above at that time has checked out. Process of elimination has led us to Rosa, but now we just have to find him.” Sam ran her hand over his chest absently as they talked. “In other things I’ve been meaning to mention to you, have you noticed anything between Roni and Derek at work?”

“Like what?”

“Just a vibe I’ve picked up on.”

“I haven’t tuned in to that vibe, but I will now.”

“I like the idea of the two of them together.”

“As long as you like it, that’s what matters.”

Sam laughed at the truth of that statement.

Saturday was all about fun and games—sledding, horseback riding for the kids, hiking and playing in the game room until long after the twins’ usual bedtime. Sam didn’t feel confined or cut off or anything else this time, as she gave in to the camp’s relaxed vibe, determined to enjoy every second she could get with her family and friends.

That afternoon, she and Scotty held their long-postponed wrestling match at the Camp David gym, with Elijah serving as the impartial judge. Sam had to admit that Scotty more than held his own, but in the end, he was no match for her.

“Uncle, aunt, grandpa,” Scotty said when Sam had his face pressed to the mat and his arms in a tight hold behind his back.

“We have a winner,” Eli said. “Way to go, Sam, and nice challenge, Scotty.”

“Give me a year,” Scotty said, dusting himself off. “That’s going to go very differently for you, Mom.”

“I look forward to a rematch.”

“Moms are supposed to let their kids win,” he grumbled.

“Oh please,” Sam said. “That’s not how you want to win, and you say I cheat at Candy Land. Do you honestly think I’m going to let you win anything?”

“Obviously not,” Scotty said with a good-natured grin.

“She’s building your character, son,” Nick said. “One humiliating defeat at a time.”

“I’ll be nice and humble by the time she’s done with me,” Scotty said.

“That’s the goal.” Sam gave him a one-armed hug and a kiss on the head. “Even though you’re a wimp, I still love you.”

“Hey!” Scotty said. “Those are fighting words!”

“Enough fighting,” Nick said. “It’s time for lunch.”

Sunday morning, Sam and Nick had an early breakfast with Mike, Tracy, Terry, Lindsey, Harry, Lilia, Shelby and Avery at their Cedar cabin.

The kids watched a movie as the adults lingered at the table, enjoying second cups of coffee and the coffeecake Sam and Aubrey had baked the day before.

“Thanks again for having us,” Avery said. “Camp David is the bomb.”

“You know better than to say that word with the Secret Service within earshot,” Nick said to the man who’d once infuriated him, but who’d since become a friend.

“Whoops,” Avery said with a sheepish grin.

“An FBI agent should know better,” Sam said with a teasing grin for Avery.

“I’m so off duty, it’s not even funny,” Avery said, snuggling his and Shelby’s son, Noah, as he took a late-morning snooze.

“Where are Angela and Spence this morning?” Nick asked after he’d finished checking the headlines on his iPad.

“I don’t know.” Sam reached for her phone to text her sister. “She said they’d be here for breakfast. Maybe they decided to sleep in instead.”

She’d no sooner said that than Angela came rushing in the door, looking white-faced and panicked. “Spencer won’t wake up.”