“I suppose that’s possible, but what’s worse than ordering a murder to take the heat off your own son?”

  “We don’t have him on that,” Gonzo reminded her. “We’ve only got his goons nailed on that.”

  “I want to see the one who was given immunity,” Sam said.

  Freddie found Sanders’s address in Arlington and gave it to Vernon, who did a U-turn to head toward Northern Virginia.

  “Can you do me a favor in the meantime?” Sam asked Freddie.

  “What favor?”

  “Will you find the study guide for Beowulf, and have it sent to Scotty as soon as possible?”

  “Ugh, are they still teaching that book?” Gonzo asked.

  “Unfortunately, yes, and he’s struggling.” She pulled her credit card out of her wallet and handed it to him. “He needs our help.”

  “I’m on it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank me. This is like community service.”

  Sam laughed. “No shit, right?”

  Why was there traffic even on a Sunday? As they crested the Memorial Bridge, she glanced up the hill at Arlington National Cemetery, where the perpetual flame lit in honor of President Kennedy burned brightly.

  It occurred to her, right at that moment, that someday her own husband could be honored with burial at Arlington.

  The very thought of such a thing made her go cold all over with dread.

  “What’s wrong?” Freddie asked from his spot across from her.

  “The view of Arlington had me thinking about presidential burial places.”

  “Don’t do that.”

  “Why does my brain go there? It’s not like I want to think about such things.” Since they were stopped dead in traffic, she was able to fixate on the flame. “President Kennedy was forty-six when he was killed. That’s eight years older than Nick is now.”

  “Don’t forget what you’re always telling me,” Freddie said.

  “What’s that?”

  “That when you spend as much time as we do mired in murder and mayhem, it’s too easy to imagine it happening to people close to you—that’s especially true when it happens to be someone you work closely with, like Tom.”

  “I’m pretty wise, aren’t I?”

  The other three laughed, as she’d hoped they would. “Again… sorry to be irreverent at a time like this, Faith.”

  “It’s okay. It helps to be with friends.” She looked up from her phone. “They haven’t found anything in Tom’s office about the Bryant case. Archie and his team came to pick up the computer.”

  Sam was glad to hear someone on her team was making progress. “If there’s something on that computer or the laptop from his home, Archie will find it.”

  “Hope said there’s pushback from Main Justice about the computer being out of the hands of the federal government.”

  “Tell her to assure them it’ll be handled with the utmost sensitivity.”

  Sam texted Archie to make him aware of the security concerns coming from the Justice Department.

  On it, he replied. Not my first rodeo with them.

  I have every confidence in you and your team.

  We’ll get you what we can shortly. I understand we’re to focus first on his correspondence with Congressman Bryant.

  Yes, please.

  You like him for this?

  I don’t know yet. Early days. And he was locked up when Tom was killed.

  Got it. Will be back to you ASAP.

  Thanks.

  Sam’s next text was on the secure BlackBerry she used to communicate with Nick. I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but I need an audience with your AG. What’s the best way to make that happen without it going through you?

  Best question ever from my cop. Let me check with Terry and get back with you.

  This conversation never happened.

  Gotcha, babe. Miss you. Is it gonna be a late one?

  I’m giving it a couple more hours, and then we’ll pick it up in the AM. What are my kiddos doing?

  Playing Boggle with Eli and Candace.

  Sam could picture them gathered in the third-floor conservatory and wished she were there with them. How are things with the Littles and Candace?

  Seems a little better. Hard to tell. But the newlyweds have toned down the PDA.

  We’re all thankful for that.

  HAHA. Were we ever like that?

  I think maybe we still are, but I can’t be sure…

  I’ll ask Scotty.

  NO!

  His row of laughing emojis made her grin like the loon in love she was with him. She’d never had that with any other man. What would’ve seemed ridiculous to her before him was anything but now. Only he could make her forget, even if just for a few minutes, the grim reality she dealt with every day at work.

  Chapter Four

  Sam’s flip phone rang with a call from Darren Tabor, her reporter “friend” from the Washington Star.

  “Yes?”

  “I’m calling about Forrester. What do we know?”

  “Not much yet.”

  “I’m hearing it might be tied to Bryant and that you and your team met with him. Any truth in that?”

  “Early days, Darren. Early days.”

  “You got anything for me? The murder of a U.S. Attorney is big news.”

  “I’m aware.”

  “So that’s a no?”

  “That’s a ‘nothing yet.’ We’re working the case and doing what we do. As soon as I have more, I’ll let you know.”

  “Like, you’ll let me know and no one else?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Don’t tease me, Sam. It hurts me too much later when you disappoint me.”

  Damn if he didn’t make her laugh. “I’ll try not to disappoint you.”

  “What are you hearing from Stahl’s house?”

  “I’m sure you’ve received the latest update.”

  “Is it true there’s a storage unit?”

  “Yes.”

  “What’s happening there?”

  “We’re working on tracking down the new owner.”

  “Is that on the record?”

  “Not officially. Everything on that one is coming from the chief. Don’t get me in trouble.”

  “Would I do that to you?”

  “Gotta run, Darren.”

  “I’ll check in later.”

  Sam slapped the phone closed just as the BlackBerry buzzed with a text from Nick. Here’s a number to call.

  Thank you. Nice to have friends in high places.

  You can thank me properly later.

  I’ll look forward to that.

  Back at HQ, she went into her office, closed the door and made the call.

  “Reginald Cox.”

  Wow, Sam thought. That’s impressive.

  “This is Lieutenant Holland with the Metro PD. I wondered if you might be available for a brief interview.”

  “I assume this is in reference to U.S. Attorney Forrester?”

  “You assume correctly.”

  “I’ve asked the FBI to work on that investigation.”

  “That’s not how this goes. He was murdered in the District, which means we have jurisdiction.”

  “I’m sure you understand that we prefer to investigate the murder of one of our own.”

  “And I’m sure you understand that’s not going to happen.” She held her breath, waiting for him to reply while praying this wouldn’t get ugly. “General Cox, I have a job to do. I’m asking for your assistance. I assume we have the same goal here—to quickly determine who killed U.S. Attorney Forrester.”

  “You assume correctly.”

  “Are you available today?”

  “I’m at home.” He gave her the address of his Georgetown condo. “You’ll encounter my security in the lobby. I’ll let them know you’re coming.”

  “Thank you very much. We’ll be there shortly.”

  A knock on the door preceded Freddie poking his head in. “Archie is looking for you.”

  “Tell him to come in. We’re heading out in five minutes.”

  “Where to?”

  “To interview the AG.”

  “As in the AG?”

  “As in the one and only.”

  “Wow.”

  Sam understood his amazement. An interview with the country’s top law enforcement officer certainly wasn’t an everyday occurrence. She wondered if she ever would have gotten access to Cox without being married to his boss. Probably not, but whatever. She wasn’t about to look a proverbial gift horse in the mouth.

  Freddie left and returned with Archie.

  “Got some film to show you. Can you come to the conference room?”

  “Yep.”

  She took a seat at the table as Archie pressed play to start a video on a wall-mounted screen.

  “This is from one of our cameras on Constitution Ave.” Archie stepped closer to the screen to point. “Watch this jogger as they approach the parked car.” Sam kept her gaze fixed on the figure dressed in dark clothing as they ran along the sidewalk. She held her breath as the person got closer to the car.

  “He—I’m assuming it’s a man—barely pauses as he goes by the car, but I was able to zoom in to where he shot Tom.” Archie played that part of the film next.

  She could clearly see the window shatter and the person inside the car slump forward.

  How often did they catch a homicide on film, let alone one as high-profile as this?

  Of course the film was of little use to them without a face to go with the body. But they now had a description of a compact but muscular person, who was most likely male.

  “Tell me we got this from multiple other angles,” Sam said.

  “I wish I could.” Archie sighed as he sat across from her. “We have one camera that’s out for repair on that block and another that’s been giving us fits for a while now.”

  She glanced at Gonzo and Freddie. “Did our witness report anything that would help?”

  “He didn’t see the actual shooting,” Gonzo said. “Only the aftermath.”

  “Of course he didn’t see it.”

  “We’ll be looking for pings in the area to figure out who was nearby, but if this was a professional hit, the person wouldn’t have been stupid enough to carry a phone. I’ve got the text chains printing now if you want to come up and grab them in a few minutes.” Archie stood and headed for the door. “We’re looking at numerous other cameras in the area, hoping to get a look at our shooter from a different angle. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Why can’t we ever get lucky enough to catch a killer red-handed, arrest them and call it a day?” Freddie asked.

  “Because what fun would that be if they made it too easy for us?”

  Her partner gave her a sour look.

  Gonzo grunted out a laugh. “What’s our next move, boss?”

  “Freddie and I are going to see the AG. Can you work on the text traffic?” Sam checked her watch and saw it was getting close to five thirty. “Let’s give it two more hours, and then we’ll pick it up in the AM.”

  “Should we have someone work overnight to keep the Feds from taking over?” Gonzo asked.

  Sam sighed as she decided he was probably right. “Good point. Call in Dani and Gigi to take over from where we leave off.”

  “Cam and Gigi were away for the weekend,” Gonzo said, “but they should be back by now. I’ll get Gigi and Dani up to speed.”

  “Thanks.” She gestured for Freddie to come with her.

  “I can’t believe we get to interview the actual AG,” he said after they’d grabbed their coats to head for the morgue entrance.

  “He puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like you do.”

  “Okay, then. So we’re not allowed to be impressed by the AG.”

  Sam shrugged. “Whatever. He’s just another witness to me.” She gave Vernon the address for Cox’s Georgetown building.

  “I’m sure you’re not just another cop to him.”

  “I really hope that’s how he treats me.”

  “Do you think it could become a thing if the media catches wind of you interviewing him as part of a case?”

  “So what if it does? I’m just doing my job.”

  “Uh, okay.”

  “What is it you want to say, my grasshopper?”

  “There’s nothing at all routine about the first lady, in her capacity as a homicide detective, interviewing the U.S. Attorney General as a potential witness in the murder of a U.S. Attorney.”

  Vernon let out a low whistle. “What he said.”

  “You’re supposed to be on my side at all times.”

  Vernon glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “I am, except for when I’m on his.”

  Freddie chuckled.

  Sam glared at him. “That’s not funny.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I also agree with him that once the media catches wind of this interview, there’ll be intense interest,” Vernon said. “Jimmy is calling in some reinforcements to meet us in Georgetown.”

  Sam couldn’t believe he thought that was necessary. “Seriously?”

  Vernon met her gaze in the mirror. “Dead seriously.”

  * * *

  The need for extra security annoyed her. She knew they were just doing their jobs, but she wished she could simply do hers, the way she used to. As soon as she had that thought, she felt guilty because the reason she couldn’t do her job the way she used to was because her beloved husband had become president under the craziest of circumstances. Even months later, surrounded by a Secret Service detail, Sam had to constantly remind herself that she was putting up with the inconvenience because he’d asked her to.

  Sam was incredibly proud of Nick, but his “promotion” had also changed everything for her, and not always in a good way.

  As they approached Georgetown, traffic slowed nearly to a stop, which only added to her frustration. She leaned forward to see what was causing the delay and was shocked to see media trucks lining the street. “Motherfucker.”

  “They probably figured you’d get here eventually,” Vernon said.

  “Is there a way to get me in there without it turning into a complete spectacle?”

  “Let me see what we can do.” Vernon took a right turn and pulled onto a side street off M, the main drag through Georgetown.

  While he made a call and explained the situation, she forced herself to be patient, to allow the agents to do their jobs so she could do hers.

  Remember how much you love Nick, how you’d do anything for him, even when his job interferes with yours.

  While she waited, she put her head back against the seat and closed her eyes so she could revisit some of the better parts of their recent vacation, such as when they’d exchanged the perfect gifts. He’d given her a gorgeous platinum watch, engraved with his thanks for the best two years of his life. She’d given him a T-shirt that said I love you more. The end. I win.

  As she ran her fingers over the watch, she smiled, recalling that day and the others they’d spent alone at the beach. Being with him made her happier than anything ever had, and it had gotten even better when their kids joined them for the final weekend. After years of painful infertility struggles, she now had three kids to call her own, as well as a bonus son in Eli and now his wife, too. They had the family of their dreams, even if none of it had happened the conventional way.

  What did convention matter when their White House was full of love?

  And what did she care about a few delays on the job when she had him and their children to go home to at the end of every hard day on the job? So what if “home” these days was the freaking White House? Her dad used to tell Sam and her sisters to enjoy the moment, because all things, even the best of things, were temporary.

  She hated to acknowledge that was true, which was why she tried to live every day to the fullest, to make sure the people she loved knew she loved them and to do her best in all things.

  Her ringing phone interrupted the philosophical direction her thoughts had taken. She sat up a little straighter when she saw Chief Farnsworth’s name on her caller ID.

  “Hello, sir.”

  “What’s the latest on the Forrester investigation, Lieutenant?”

  “I’m about to interview the AG at his home in Georgetown.”

  “As in the actual Attorney General of the United States?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’m under tremendous pressure to bring the Feds into this investigation.”

  “As am I, sir.”

  “I’m assigning several other detectives to your team for the time being. Please use them to move this along as quickly as possible.”

  Sam wanted to plead with him not to do that, but she knew better than to question him. “Who’s coming to Homicide?”

  “Detectives Lucas and Harper from SVU and Coheeny from Explosives. I’ve asked them to report to your pit at zero seven hundred. Deputy Chief McBride has also made herself available as needed to assist.”

  “We appreciate the help. I’ve got O’Brien and Charles chasing down the new owner of Stahl’s storage unit. I’m planning to let them see that through since they’re close.”

  “That’s fine. We’ve got a matter of days, Lieutenant, if that, before the Feds take over. Let’s make them count.”

  “Yes, sir. If I could ask… How are you?” He’d been under enormous stress since the latest news about Stahl had come to light, and Sam was worried about her beloved uncle.

  “Having the time of my life.”

  Sam smiled at the expected reply. “I hope you’re taking care of yourself.”

  “Marti is seeing to that. She’s hovering over me like a mother hen.”

  “Good.”

  “Hope you got to relax a little on the vacation.”

  “We did, despite everything.”

  “I was so sorry to hear about the shooting at Fort Liberty. What a tragedy that was.”

  “Indeed.”

  “Will you be traveling there this week?”

  “Not right away. There was some pushback to a visit at this moment.”

  “Sorry to hear that.”

  “We understand the rationale.” The shooter had reportedly objected to being offered a dishonorable discharge for his refusal to serve under an unelected president. As such, the brass at Fort Liberty had thought this might not be the time for the unelected president and first lady to make a condolence visit.