by Marie Force
“Happy to do it. You know that Sam and I consider you one of our closest friends.”
“The sentiment is entirely mutual,” Freddie said, feeling strangely emotional as he extended his hand to Nick, who shook it. “Thanks again.”
“See you Saturday, if not before.”
* * *
NICK WALKED INTO the emergency waiting room, and every head in the place swiveled to get a better look at him. By now, one would think he’d be used to feeling like a goldfish inside a bowl everywhere he went. One would be wrong.
“Mr. Vice President,” the nurse at the triage desk said breathlessly. “Right this way, sir.”
Nick followed her, stopping three doors from Sam’s cubicle to listen to her bitching at the doctor to “hurry the fuck up” because she had a murderer to catch and shit to do. Nick smiled, shook his head and proceeded to her room.
She was so engrossed in her raging that she didn’t notice him at first, which gave him the opportunity to just look—and looking at her was one of his favorite things to do. Perhaps his most favorite thing to do, even when she was in a rage.
“Samantha.”
The single word from him silenced her.
“Are you giving these nice people a hard time?” he asked, moving to the side of her bed that was free of medical personnel.
“Would she give us a hard time?” Dr. Anderson asked with a grin for Nick.
“Not our Sam,” Nick said. “She’s the picture of decorum at all times.”
Anderson cleared his throat and coughed from the effort not to laugh.
“I’m in the room, you know,” Sam said.
“Babe, there’s never a time when people don’t know you’re in the room.” Taking hold of her hand, he leaned over to kiss her forehead and get a better look at the wound that Anderson was currently cleaning. Located on her triceps, it measured about two inches in length and maybe another inch deep. The tank top she’d worn under her sweater was covered in blood that made him feel queasy.
“Just a scratch,” Sam said, looking up at him with eyes that looked bigger than usual due to shock.
Nick sat gently on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle her. “Heard you pushed Freddie out of the way and took one for the team.”
“He’s getting married in two days. My goal is to keep him alive until then, but if he keeps ratting me out, I might have to strangle him.”
“My goal is to keep you alive until you’re ninety. Your goals and mine don’t seem to be lining up.”
She gave him a murderous look that would’ve cowed a lesser man. Thankfully, he wasn’t a lesser man, and her murderous looks only made him love her more than he already did. However, in deference to her badassery, he dropped the subject until Anderson finished stitching her up and left the room to complete her discharge paperwork.
“I know what you’re going to say, and before you lecture me on taking unreasonable chances, I’d do it again if I had it to do over. He’s getting married. In two days. He and Elin have already had enough nonsense this week. They don’t need more.”
Nick brought her hand to his lips. “You forgot the part where you love him like a little brother, and you’d rather die yourself than have anything ever happen to him.”
“That too,” she said in a more conciliatory tone.
“I get it. I don’t like it, but I do get it.”
“Go ahead and get the lecture out of the way so we can move on.” She rolled her hand in encouragement.
“No lecture. I’ll just say I’m glad you’re okay and that he is too. And I’ll add that he asked me to take Gonzo’s place in the wedding party, which I assume is okay with you.”
“He did? That’s awesome.”
“I think so too.”
“See, our goals aren’t out of alignment, and you shouldn’t say that stuff in public unless you want to read about our marital problems in the paper.”
He quirked an eyebrow, endlessly amused by her. “Do we have marital problems?”
“We will if you’re going to make me go home after getting scratched by a bullet. We’re this close to getting our guys. I’m feeling the nuts-on-the-block buzz that comes from closing in. No way am I going to miss that.”
Nick winced. He went out of his way to make sure his nuts were never anywhere near her so-called block. “I wouldn’t want you to miss it. I’ll only ask if you’re sure you’re up to it. Looks like you lost a lot of blood.”
“I’m fine. I swear.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to let you go do what you do.”
“How’re the kids?”
“They’re quiet. Elijah and Shelby are with them.”
“We may be able to get this done without involving Alden.”
“That’d be good.”
Sam leaned around him. “Where’s Anderson? I want out of here. Can you give me a lift to HQ on the way home?”
“Yeah. I can do that.”
“Are you going into the office today?”
He shook his head. “I did a bunch of meetings from home this morning. I wanted to be around if anything came up with the kids.”
“That’s good of you. Thank you.”
“It’s no problem. I’ve forgotten how nice it is to work from home. I used to do it once in a while when I needed to write for John. Seems like a lifetime ago.”
Dr. Anderson returned with Sam’s discharge paperwork. “I had this made for you,” he said, handing her a card that had a hole punched in it.
Nick busted up laughing when he saw what it said. GW E.R. Frequent Flier.
“Hardy har har,” Sam said. “Have your laughs, Doc. I help keep you in business.”
“That you do, my friend. That you do.”
Nick escorted Sam through the waiting room, where he again felt everyone looking at them. Outside, his motorcade waited. He ushered Sam in ahead of him and told Brant they were dropping her at HQ on the way home.
“Yes, sir,” his faithful shadow said.
He liked Brant as much as it was possible to like the man charged with overseeing his every move.
Nick raised his arm, and Sam snuggled into his embrace, whimpering when her injured arm made contact with his side. “How close are you really to getting these guys?”
“Close. We’ve had some significant breakthroughs today. I’m hoping for a win before the end of the day.” As always, their “wins” came with the hollow realization that, while they might’ve gotten justice for the survivors, their loved ones were still gone forever, and their lives permanently altered. She updated him about the latest with Piedmont.
“It’s hard to believe he wasn’t involved.”
“I agree, but Hill and his people really believe he wasn’t.”
“It would be nice to get this sewed up before the wedding.”
“That’s the goal,” she said.
“You really pushed Freddie out of the way?”
“I really did, and I’d do it again.”
“That’s going to be a problem going forward, Sam.”
“How do you figure?”
“You’ve lost all perspective where he’s concerned. You forget that he’s a decorated police officer in his own right, trained to be the best by the best. He wouldn’t want you to sacrifice yourself for him.”
“This week, I think he can live with it. But I do hear what you’re saying, and I’ll add it to the many things I’ll think about during the unpaid week off the chief is making me take to reexamine my priorities.”
“For real?”
“Yep. He’s pissed that I took in the Beauclair kids while investigating their parents’ murder. And he’s right. It’s a total conflict of interest, but something I’d do again if I had it to do over. I saw kids in need, and I stepped up. I refuse to apologize for that.”
“Whi
le I’m totally on your side in this, I do see his point.”
“So do I, but I can’t be anyone other than who I am. I wouldn’t know how to be anyone else.”
“Luckily for both of us, I love you exactly the way you are, and I’m thrilled that you’ll have a week off to reexamine your priorities. I look forward to helping you with that while we’re away.”
“The trip depends on closing the case.”
“My money is on you, babe. You’ll get it done so you can spend a whole week getting me done.”
“You’re a mighty appealing incentive package,” she said, cupping his package with her right hand as she kissed his neck.
All too soon, the motorcade pulled into the HQ parking lot. “Back to reality.” She gave him a lingering kiss. “Thanks for coming to the hospital.”
“I’d say it was a pleasure, but you know how I hate when you find yourself on the business end of a gun.”
“Everything’s okay,” she said, kissing him again. “Keep me posted on how things are going at home.”
“I will. Hurry up and nail these guys so we can enjoy the weekend and your unexpected week off.”
“I’m on it. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
SAM GOT OUT of the SUV and was met by a scrum of reporters wanting an update on the Beauclair case. They also shouted questions about Nick’s trip and whether she was going with him. She took one minute she didn’t have to give them a brief update on the case.
“We’re making headway in the Beauclair case, and I expect to have more for you later today.”
“Are you going on the vice president’s trip to Europe?” one of the TV reporters asked.
“Info about his trip is available from his office, and you may as well stop wasting your breath asking me about him, his job, his travels. I’m never going to answer those questions. Have a good day.”
“Lieutenant! Wait!”
Sam ignored their cries for more info and darted inside HQ, breathing a sigh of relief when she reached the relative safety of the lobby. Her relief was short-lived, however, when she encountered Malone engaged in a screaming match with Ramsey, who had his back to her. This day got more interesting by the minute. Sam wished she had some popcorn to enjoy while she listened to Malone rip Ramsey a new one.
“Get over it, Sergeant. The USA declined to press charges.”
“Because she’s married to the fucking vice president, not because she didn’t do it!”
“I’m going to tell you this one more time—if you can’t keep your grievances out of this building, you won’t work in this building. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yeah, you do, and it’s no surprise to me that she’s probably sucking your dick too.”
“That’s it. Get out.”
“I have rights. You can’t just kick me out.”
“Get out,” Malone said in a tone Sam had never heard before, “or I’ll have you arrested. Your choice.”
“You’ll be hearing from my union rep.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Ramsey spun around to leave and came face-to-face with Sam, watching the show.
She smiled and waggled her fingers.
Like a bull seeing red, he charged her.
She darted out of the way in time to avoid him barging into her, but the forward momentum took him right through the window next to the door, which shattered on impact. Glass rained down upon the red-faced sergeant, who quickly became the subject of interest to the reporters and photographers stationed outside the door.
“That’ll be the lead story on the six o’clock news,” Sam said to Malone.
“Walk away, Lieutenant,” he said through gritted teeth. “Just walk away.”
For once, Sam did as she was told, whistling a jaunty tune as she made her way to the detectives’ pit. Her day had already been made, and she had a good feeling it was about to get even better.
* * *
FREDDIE, CAMERON AND JEANNIE arrived at the pizza shop, Rolling in Dough, which had a lunchtime line out the door.
“What’s the plan?” Cameron asked.
“Let’s call for backup,” Freddie said, eyeing the layout of the restaurant. “I want someone minding the back door before we go in.”
Jeannie made the call, and while they waited for Patrol, they kept a watchful eye on the restaurant. “This is our guy,” she said, calling up a photo of a skinny white man with blond hair on her phone. “Danny Baker. He’s got a long list of priors, mostly petty stuff, but he’s been working his way up the criminal food chain.”
“He has that in common with his buddy Klein,” Freddie said.
When the Patrol officers arrived, Freddie asked them to cover the restaurant’s back door in case Baker was stupid enough to run. Freddie hoped he would, so they could take him into custody and get him into interrogation. Being arrested, processed and interrogated at HQ tended to loosen even the tightest of lips.
With everyone in position, Freddie gave the go-ahead. He walked in first, excusing himself as he worked around the line of people who grumbled about line cutters. Flashing his badge, he shut them up as he went up to the counter. “Detectives Cruz, Green and McBride, Metro PD. Looking for Danny Baker.”
The wide-eyed woman working the register spun around and focused on a lanky guy in the back who was spinning dough. “Danny!”
He looked her way, saw cops with badges, dropped the dough to the floor and bolted for the back door.
Freddie jumped the counter, crashed into a woman carrying a tray of large sodas and took down Baker, in the span of about ten seconds.
Hearing the commotion inside, the Patrol officers opened the back door and looked in to find Freddie, knee in Baker’s back, cuffing him as he recited his rights. All in a day’s work.
“Nice takedown,” Cameron said when he and Jeannie caught up.
“What’d he do?” an older man with a beer belly and a comb-over asked. He wore a flour-stained red apron with the restaurant’s logo on it.
“I didn’t do nothing!” Baker said as Freddie hauled him to his feet and turned him over to the Patrol officers.
“Get him downtown and let me know when he’s in interrogation.”
“Is he in big trouble?” the man asked.
“Remains to be seen but running from cops is never a good idea.” Freddie’s stomach let out a loud grumble. “You got a large pie I could buy?”
The man boxed a pizza right out of the oven and handed it to Freddie. “On the house, if you wouldn’t mind getting outta my kitchen.”
“Don’t mind at all. Thanks.”
They left out the back door and returned to Cameron’s sedan, which he kept immaculate. Freddie hoped he’d be allowed to scarf down some pizza in the car, because he wasn’t inclined to wait until they got back to the house. He needed food, and he needed it now.
“That was a hell of a leap,” Jeannie said when they were back in the car.
“I’m motivated to close this case before the wedding.” Freddie dived into the pie as he realized he’d forgotten to grab napkins. Oh well, that’s what T-shirts were for. “You want a slice?”
“I’d love one.”
Freddie handed over a slice to her in the front seat. “Cam?”
“I’ll wait until we get back.” He looked in the rearview mirror. “Don’t get it all over my car.”
“I’ll try not to.” Freddie ate three slices in the time it took to drive across the city. They were two blocks from HQ when he took a call from his mother. “Hey, what’s up?”
“The news is reporting that Sam was grazed by a bullet. Is she okay? Are you?”
“We’re both fine.”
“Oh thank goodness. I tell you—sometimes I’m afraid to look at the news, knowing you’re out there
in the middle of the madness.”
“Right now, I’m eating pizza in the back of my colleague’s car after a very satisfying arrest. All is well.”
“Two more days, Freddie. I can’t wait to dance at your wedding.”
“Neither can I. Hey, Mom, can you do me a favor and grab my tux? I haven’t had a chance to do it yet, and Elin is going to kill me if I don’t get it soon.”
“I’ll take care of it, honey. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”
“I will, thanks.”
“Love you.”
“You too.”
“Is Mama Cruz feeling anxious?” Jeannie asked.
“Just a little.” Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something happening outside the main doors. “What’s up over there?”
“Let’s go find out,” Green said, taking the first available parking space.
“Holy crap,” Freddie said when he saw Ramsey lying in a sea of shattered glass. “I really hope Sam had nothing to do with this.” Still carrying the pizza box, he made his way around the building to the morgue entrance with Jeannie and Cameron in pursuit. They found the LT in her office, cheerfully attending to administrative tasks. Her cheerfulness put Freddie on alert. “What’d you do now?”
“What’re you talking about?”
“Ramsey and the shattered glass. Don’t tell me you had nothing to do with that.”
“You’re so suspicious.” Sam told them what’d happened.
Freddie hooted with laughter. “I knew it had something to do with you!”
“I didn’t do anything. I just happened to be standing there.”
Freddie laughed so hard tears filled his eyes.
“Quit your laughing and tell me you got Baker.”
“We got him, and he should be in interrogation any minute.”
“Excellent. Let’s get this wrapped up. But first, give me a piece of that pizza.”
* * *
SAM MADE SURE Hope Miller, one of the identical triplets that served the District as assistant U.S. attorneys, observed the interrogation along with Captain Malone.
Baker was so nervous his hands shook and his pale cheek twitched.
