Fatal Fraud: A Fatal Series Novel

by Marie Force

  “I’ll be having a talk with him tomorrow.”

  “Is he wrong?”

  “Shut up and kiss me before I forget why I’m in such a good mood.”

  Smiling, he did as directed like the good husband he was, and as he made love to her, Sam held on tight to him and his love and the euphoric feeling she’d brought home with her. Seven full days to spend with him and their kids. Nothing could top that.

  Somehow, Sam managed to cook a pretty decent Thanksgiving dinner, with the “qualified help” of her sisters, their mother Brenda, Celia and Shelby, who’d decided to stay in the city rather than go home to her family, as morning sickness had been making her miserable.

  “Has to be a girl this time,” Shelby had joked at one point. “Only women cause this much trouble.”

  In addition to Shelby, Avery and baby Noah, Sam’s sisters and their families were there, as well as Freddie, Elin and his parents, along with Nick’s father, Leo, his wife, Stacy, and their twin sons. Elijah was also home for the long weekend, much to the delight of Alden and Aubrey, who’d barely left his side since his arrival.

  Scotty was enthralled by Elijah, who included Scotty in everything he did with his brother and sister. Sam and Nick had let Scotty stay up late playing video games with Elijah the night before, which had thrilled Scotty.

  After dinner, they went around the table, and everyone said one thing they were thankful for. “We did this when we were kids. Remember, girls?” Sam asked her sisters.

  “I remember,” Tracy said. “It was your thing, Mom. You should go first.”

  Brenda looked around the table, smiling at her daughters and grandchildren. “I’m thankful to be here with my girls, their families and friends today. Thank you for including me, Sam.”

  “It’s good to have you here.” The twenty years in which Sam hadn’t spoken to her mother after her parents’ marriage fell apart seemed like a distant memory now that they’d made peace with the past. “I’m thankful to be here with all of you and to have added Elijah, Aubrey and Alden to our family this year. We love you all very much.”

  “Thank you so much for all you’ve done for us,” Elijah said. “I’m not sure what would’ve become of us without you guys, and it’s such an incredible relief to me to know my babies are well cared for when I can’t be here. They’re probably too shy to say so, but Alden and Aubrey are thankful for you guys too.”

  “I’m thankful for them and you,” Scotty said to Elijah. “It’s so cool to have siblings.”

  “We feel the same way,” Elijah said, smiling at Scotty, who beamed back at him.

  Sam’s heart wanted to explode at the way Elijah included him and seemed to fully understand that he’d inherited another younger brother.

  “I’m thankful for this family,” Nick said, “the family I’ve always wished for and hoped for and often thought I’d never have. You all are the best thing to ever happen to me, and after this last week, I’m especially thankful to know I’m off the hook for the next election and able to be right here—the only place in the world I really want to be.”

  “Thank goodness for that,” Sam said.

  “We all feel that way,” Tracy said dryly. “No one wanted to deal with her while you were off campaigning.”

  “Preach it, sister,” Angela said.

  “Preach it, Auntie,” Scotty said.

  Sam stuck her tongue out at each of them. “Just because it’s true doesn’t mean you gotta be mean.”

  Smiling at their banter, Celia said, “I’m thankful to you guys for getting me through this difficult first month without my love. I know you miss him as much as I do, and we’re all trying to figure out life without Skip at the center of it. But I’m thankful to be part of this family and to know I get to keep you, even though he’s gone.”

  “You’re not getting rid of us,” Tracy said.

  “Although you may wish you had,” Sam said.

  “Never,” Celia said emphatically.

  “I’m thankful for my kids, the three that live in this house, as well as my baby Noah,” Shelby said. “The one on the way is giving me some grief, but I can’t wait to meet him or her. I’m also thankful for my wonderful husband, Avery, who has made me so happy.”

  “Same goes, darlin’,” Avery said. “You and Noah have given me so much. And I’m thankful for the friends who’ve become like family to us.”

  Freddie, Elin and his parents gave thanks for each other as well as their friends.

  “Wait,” Sam said to Freddie. “You forgot to be thankful for me as your most awesome partner.”

  “I didn’t forget anything,” he said, making everyone laugh hysterically.

  “That’s hurtful,” Sam said with a teasing glint in her eye, “because I’m very thankful for you, partner.”

  “Fine. If you’re going to be that way, I’m thankful for you too, even when you’re a gigantic pain in my ass.”

  Sam dabbed at her eyes. “I’m so moved.”

  The food, the family, the love and the laughter kept Sam from focusing overly much on the person who was missing from the holiday gathering. She’d cooked the giblets for him, even though no one else was interested in eating them. Her sisters noticed, though.

  “It’s sweet that you cooked them for Dad,” Tracy said when they were cleaning up the kitchen.

  “I thought about taking them to the cemetery, but they’d probably attract buzzards.”

  “Can we stop talking about giblets?” Angela covered her mouth. “I’m already sick from eating too much.”

  Sam held up the boiled neck of the turkey, another part her dad had loved to gnaw on. “You want this?”

  “Ugh, get rid of that nasty shit,” Angela said, turning a worrisome shade of light green.

  The sisters had a good laugh and then a good cry as they remembered Skip and his love of all things Thanksgiving.

  Their day was capped off by dessert at Gonzo and Christina’s. As the Secret Service conveyed them to the gathering, Sam rested her head on Nick’s shoulder. She’d much rather be napping than going out, but there was no way she’d disappoint her friend by missing his get-together.

  She yawned loudly.

  “She’s gonna fall asleep in the apple pie,” Scotty said.

  “I am not!” Sam said.

  “Are you taking bets, son?” Nick asked. “Because I’m betting on a full face-plant.”

  “I’ll remember you bet against me,” Sam said.

  “Don’t start being gross,” Scotty said. Glancing at Elijah, he added, “They’re so weird.”

  Elijah laughed. “I feel you. My parents were like that too. Always kissing and crap.”

  “It’s the worst.”

  “Actually, it’s not so bad,” Elijah said. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  “Ew,” Scotty said. “I thought I liked you.”

  Sam had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud, knowing Scotty wouldn’t appreciate it. Thankfully, they arrived at their destination before she could lose her composure.

  “He’s in for such a wake-up call,” Nick said, low enough that only she could hear him as they followed the four kids out of the SUV.

  “Anytime now.”

  Gonzo and Christina’s apartment was full of friends, family and colleagues, enjoying an amazing dessert buffet full of pies, cakes, cookies, brownies and all things sweet. The atmosphere was even more joyful after the news had come the day before that USA Forrester had decided not to pursue charges against Gonzo. That had been a huge relief for all of them, no one more so than Gonzo, who credited Christina with giving him the fortitude to fight the charges.

  None of them were under any illusions that the story was dead, however. Once Ramsey found out about it, there was apt to be more trouble ahead. Gonzo planned to meet with Darren Tabor over the weekend to give him the exclusive story of what he’d been through since his partner’s murder. Hopefully, that story, coupled with the dirt they’d dug up on Ramsey, would take some of the win
d out of the hateful sergeant’s sails.

  News that Metro PD Detective Cameron Green had done what the Feds had failed to do and found the missing money had been met with jubilation among Ginny’s victims and some badly needed good press for the department. Sam made sure Cameron got full credit for the find, and he’d been enjoying his moment in the limelight.

  “Have you seen our hosts?” Sam asked Nick as she looked around for them.

  “Not yet.”

  Avery Hill made his way over to Sam, holding his son, Noah. “Hey, I was hoping I’d get the chance to talk to you before you left on vacation.”

  “I busted out of there the second I closed the McLeod case.”

  “So I heard. I wanted to tell you I went through the Worthington case files, and I agree it’s worth another look. Our old friends Conklin and Stahl made some very questionable decisions during that investigation, such as it was. We’re finding that was somewhat of a trend with them.”

  “Ugh, seriously?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Have you told the chief?” Sam asked, glancing at Farnsworth, Malone and their wives, standing together in a corner with drinks and relaxed expressions on their faces. Sam didn’t want anything to ruin this day for her beloved chief, who’d gone through the wringer while grieving the loss of his best friend.

  “I’ve briefed him that there’re some irregularities that’ll need to be addressed.”

  “Is this going to get ugly for us?”

  “Don’t you mean uglier? It could, but it’s also an opportunity to right some old wrongs.”

  “I’d be down with that. Lenore has waited long enough for justice. I’ll jump on that the second I’m back to work.”

  “Let me know if you could use some help.”

  “You do the same, Agent Hill. We managed to find that missing money, after all.”

  “You’re never going to let me hear the end of that, are you?”

  “Not ever.”

  Avery laughed, which made Noah laugh too. Lowering his voice, he said, “I’m still working on the other thing, with the MIL. More to come on that.”

  “I look forward to anything that can help get her out of my husband’s life forever.”

  Sam looked around for Gonzo and Christina, but still didn’t see them. The apartment wasn’t that large, but there was no sign of them until they finally emerged from a bedroom ten minutes later. Christina wore a white silk dress and a radiant smile. Tommy was dressed in a suit, holding baby Alex, who was also wearing a suit.

  “Um, what’s happening?” Sam asked.

  “If I had to guess, I think we’re here for a wedding,” Nick said.

  “Shut up. No way!”

  Freddie and Elin worked their way over to Sam and Nick. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Freddie asked Sam.

  “I sure hope so.”

  Gonzo whistled to get everyone’s attention. “Hey, so Christina and I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate Thanksgiving, my homecoming from a long, difficult journey and… our wedding!”

  Their guests cheered and applauded.

  “Before we make it official, I just want to say to all of you—thank you. Thank you for sticking with me through the darkest days of my life, for supporting me, Christina and Alex while I was away, and for being here today to help us celebrate this new beginning. And now, without further ado…” Gonzo glanced at Nick. “Are you ready, Mr. Vice President?”

  “You bet.”

  “Wait,” Sam said. “What?”

  Gonzo grinned at Sam. “I asked Nick to officiate and to keep the secret.”

  “Another thing he’ll pay for later,” Sam muttered.

  “It’s not every day that you get the vice president to officiate at your wedding,” Gonzo said.

  “I’m honored.” Nick joined them in the corner of the living room that’d been set up with flowers Sam hadn’t noticed before. “On behalf of all the loved ones who’ve gathered for this special occasion, let me say how thrilled we are to see two people who belong together getting their long-awaited happy ending. Since this is my first time officiating at a wedding, Tommy and Christina promised to make it easy on me by writing their own vows. Christina, whenever you’re ready.”

  Tommy handed Alex to his mother and took hold of Christina’s hands. He looked healthy, happy, relaxed, and Sam decided she was most grateful on this Thanksgiving for his recovery.

  “Tommy Gonzales,” Christina said, already battling tears, “almost two years ago, I met you on New Year’s Eve, and you changed my whole life in the course of that first night. I’d never experienced anything like the sheer thrill that came from being in the same room with you. I quickly found out that, contrary to what I’d thought, I’d never actually been in love before, because everything was different after I met you. In the last two years, we’ve been through a lot, including becoming parents overnight to Alex. You and Alex are the greatest blessings in my life, and I love you both so much. I promise to love, honor and cherish you as my husband for as long as I live. Thank you for choosing me, Tommy. You’ve made me the luckiest woman in the world.”

  Gonzo was openly weeping by the time she finished.

  Sam wiped tears from her eyes as she watched her beloved friend marry his true love. For a time, Sam had balked at them dating. Her world and Nick’s colliding had freaked her out, but it’d happened several times since then, and she’d learned to live with it as long as everyone was happy.

  “I can’t believe you think you’re the lucky one, baby. That’s all me. From the first second you looked my way, I’ve felt like the luckiest SOB who ever lived. That a cool, classy, competent, successful woman like you would love me has always been one of the greatest miracles of my life. That you stayed with me after what I’ve put you through is yet another miracle. I know how incredibly fortunate I am to be standing here with you, having you vow to love me forever, and I promise to never take you or your love for me and Alex for granted. I can’t wait for everything with you and our little family. I love you always.”

  Nick walked them through the exchange of rings, which brought about more tears when Gonzo kissed the back of Christina’s hand and then reached for Alex to make him part of their big moment.

  “By the power vested in me,” Nick said, “it’s my great pleasure to declare Tommy and Christina husband and wife. Tommy, you may kiss your bride.”

  “Yes, please,” Gonzo said, putting his arms around her and staring into her eyes before kissing her softly and sweetly.

  They hugged for a full minute, and only when Alex began to protest did they break apart, laughing and crying and looking genuinely thrilled.

  God bless them both, Sam thought as she clapped, wiped away tears and celebrated their beautiful friends’ joyful union.

  Much later, Sam lay next to Nick in bed, still stuffed to the point of imminent explosion. “Why do I do this to myself every year?”

  “Because it’s so good. Your stuffing was amazing, by the way.”

  “It’s my grandmother’s recipe. It’s so easy—white stuffing bread, sautéed onions, ground-up sausage, Old Bay and water. You mash it all together, let it sit overnight and then bake it in the oven. I crisp up the top in the broiler. And just talking about it makes me want to sneak downstairs and eat it cold, even though I’m about to vomit from being so full.”

  “That’s the sign of a successful Thanksgiving.”

  “Feeling like you’re going to vomit?”

  “Being too full to have sex.”

  “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts to laugh. You know it’s bad when we don’t want to have sex.”

  “It’s the best kind of bad. Today was awesome.”

  “And you! Keeping secrets!”

  Smiling, he looked over at her. “I didn’t think you’d mind since it was for such a good cause.”

  “It was awesome. I’m thrilled for them and so hopeful he’s going to be okay.”

  “I think he will be. It’s not l
ike he’s suddenly going to be over what happened to Arnold, but he’s learning to live with his grief in a more productive and healthy way.”

  “I sure hope so. And in other news, it seems like the nonsense over you deciding not to run is finally tapering off.”

  “Thank God for that. I’ve got to be honest. I really didn’t think people would care as much as they did.”

  “How’d that work out for you?”

  His snort of laughter made her smile.

  “It’s not easy being married to the most popular man in the world.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Have you given any more thought to your plans for after you leave office? I don’t want you sitting around here drinking beer and going to pot. I expect to be kept in the manner to which I’ve become accustomed.” Being silly and ridiculous with him was one of her favorite things to do.

  “There goes my plan to retire early.”

  “That’s not happening.”

  “I’m giving more thought to the idea of teaching—and maybe writing a book.”

  Sam looked over at him. “What kind of book?”

  “A memoir about growing up the way I did and how I ended up vice president. I think it’s a pretty cool story.”

  “It’s a great story, and I love the idea of you writing a book.”

  “I’m glad you do, because I’ve actually had some interest from a couple of publishers who’ve reached out to see if I might want to do it after I leave office.”

  “That’s so cool! Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I am telling you.”

  “When did this happen?”

  “Earlier in the week. And they’re offering the kind of money that’ll keep you in fancy shoes for another year or two.”

  “And you’re just telling me now?”

  “You were busy with stuffing and turkey.”

  Sam turned on her side, groaning from the agony of moving. “I’m never too busy to hear that kind of news. I think you should totally do that. You could show so many struggling kids that there’s always hope.”

  “That’s what I was thinking too.”