by Marie Force
“Excellent. I’ll coordinate everything with his office to make sure it’s smoothly done.”
“Thank you again, and I’ll be in touch in regard to what we talked about the other day. Needless to say, I’m back to work and otherwise occupied for the time being.”
“I completely understand. We’ll be here when you are ready to proceed with our plans.”
“Very good. I’ll see you Tuesday.”
“See you then.”
Sam slapped her phone closed. “I can’t believe I’m about to say what I’m about to say, but I actually like her.”
“Wow. That is high praise indeed. You don’t like anyone.”
“I like you. Most of the time anyway.”
“Only most of the time?”
“Ninety-nine-point-nine-nine percent of the time.”
“I gotta work on that zero-point-zero-one percent.” He held out his arm to her, and Sam snuggled into his embrace. “How you doing, babe?”
“I feel sick inside, heartbroken for Arnold and his family, worried about Gonzo and the rest of the squad. It’s just so awful.”
“It’s my worst nightmare come to life. I talked to Christina earlier today, and she feels the same way. The arbitrary, out-of-nowhere-ness of it is enough to shake us all to our core as our hearts break for the one who was lost.”
“I’m sorry you have to live with that kind of fear. I hate that for you and Christina and Elin and Arnold’s parents.”
“I hate it too, but I love you enough to let you be you, even with all the risks and dangers. But this… Arnold being gunned down on a quiet street for no apparent reason… It’s shaken me up, Sam. I won’t lie to you about that.”
“I wouldn’t want you to.” She checked her watch. “We should call Scotty while we have time. It’s probably shaken him up too.”
Nick pulled his personal cell phone from his pocket. “Let’s do one better.” He made a FaceTime call to their son, who answered right away.
“Hey, where are you guys?”
“On our way to see Detective Arnold’s parents.”
“Oh wow. I’m really sorry, Mom. He was a wicked nice guy.”
“Yes, he was.”
“Are you, you know, okay and everything?”
His incredible sweetness brought tears to her eyes. “I’m sad, buddy. We’re all sad, but we’re doing what we need to do to catch the man who shot him.”
“I hope you catch him soon.”
“So do I. How was your day?”
“It was fine. I went to see Grandpa Skip and hung out with Abby and Ethan for a while this afternoon,” he said of Sam’s sister Tracy’s kids. “Did my homework. Nothing special.”
“Sometimes a day in which nothing special happens is a day to be thankful for.”
“I guess so.”
“Dad and I are going to see Detective Arnold’s parents and then we’ll be home, okay?”
“Okay. Tell them… His parents… Tell them I said I’m so sorry.”
“We’ll do that. See you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Bye, buddy,” Nick said.
“He’s such a sweetheart,” Sam said.
“He really is. This is going to hit him hard, you know. That someone he knows could be gunned down the way Arnold was, especially after what just happened to you.”
“Do you think we need to get him some preventative counseling?”
“Probably wouldn’t hurt.”
“We can talk to him about it and feel him out.”
They pulled into the Arnolds’ neighborhood half an hour later. Numerous cars were in the driveway and parked at the curb. The motorcade only added to the congestion on the quiet street.
“Hey, Brant,” Nick said. “Let’s keep it to two cars on the street. The others can park around the corner. We’re not looking to create a three-ring circus for these people.”
“Understood,” Brant said. He issued orders into a radio and then got out of the car to open the door for Nick and Sam. “We haven’t done advance recon here, so we’re a bit nervous about this.”
“We’ll be in and out,” Sam assured him. “We don’t want to intrude any longer than necessary.”
Surrounded by agents, they walked up the sidewalk. The front door was opened before they could knock, and they were shown inside.
A woman with eyes gone red and puffy from crying shook hands with both of them. “Mr. Vice President, Lieutenant Holland, it’s an honor to have you here. I’m Debbie, Mrs. Arnold’s sister. I’ll let her and John know you’re here.”
“Thank you,” Sam said.
She gestured for them to have a seat in the living room while they waited.
They sat together on the sofa, and Nick wrapped his hand around hers.
“Thanks for coming with me,” she whispered.
“I’d never want you to do this alone.”
When the Arnolds came into the room, Sam and Nick stood to greet them. Mrs. Arnold hugged them both and Mr. Arnold shook hands with Nick and hugged Sam. Their eyes were rimmed with red, their heartbreak palpable.
“Thank you so much for coming,” he said. “I know how busy you both are.”
“I want to say how sorry we are, all of us within the MPD, for your loss,” Sam said. “Our entire squad is heartbroken.”
“A.J. loved you guys,” Mrs. Arnold said. “He spoke so highly of you, Lieutenant, and you too, Mr. Vice President.”
“Please call me Nick. We thought the world of your son. He was not only a colleague to Sam, but a friend to both of us, and we’ll miss him very much.”
“That’s so kind of you to say.” She wiped away tears. “We were proud of him.”
“With good reason,” Sam said. “He was very well regarded within the department.”
“He loved that job,” Mr. Arnold said. “Loved the squad, working with you, partnering with Tommy. He loved it all. We take comfort in knowing he died doing the work he loved.”
“We’re concerned about Tommy,” Mrs. Arnold said. “He’s in bad shape over this.”
“We’ll be keeping an eye on him,” Sam assured her. “Don’t worry.”
“It would be an honor if you might say a few words about A.J. at his service,” Mrs. Arnold said.
“Of course,” Sam said, though the thought of speaking in front of all those people gave her hives. “It’s an honor to be asked.”
“Is there any news about the investigation?” Mrs. Arnold asked.
“Nothing yet, but we are working it from every angle. The FBI and U.S. Marshal Service are involved in the manhunt for the shooter. As soon as we have anything to report, I’ll make sure you’re informed.”
“We’d appreciate that.”
Sam glanced at Nick. “We don’t want to keep you from your family. Just please know that our hearts and prayers are with you, and anything we can do, please let me know.” She handed her card to Mrs. Arnold. “Anything you need.”
“Thank you. Everyone from the MPD has been so nice, and Detective Tyrone has been a godsend, seeing us through the funeral planning.”
“I’m glad to hear he’s been helpful. You’ve been in touch with Doctor McNamara to see your son?”
“Yes,” Mr. Arnold said. “We’re going in the morning. The family is here now, so we decided it wouldn’t make much difference if we go tomorrow.”
“If you receive inquiries from the news media, we’d ask that you refer them to the department’s public affairs office. Then you won’t have to deal with it.”
“We’ll do that,” Mr. Arnold said as he walked them to the door. “Thank you. And thank you again for coming. Means a lot to us.”
“Your son meant a lot to me,” Sam said. “He won’t be
forgotten.”
With more hugs and assurances to be in touch, Sam and Nick were escorted back to the black SUV by his detail.
“They’re amazing,” Nick said. “So composed.”
“I’ll never know where people get the strength. I remember the day my dad was shot, and I was out of my mind. I could barely function. Those people lost their only son last night, and they’re thankful to us for coming to see them?” She shook her head. “I see it all the time on the job. The way the human spirit somehow endures even in the worst of times.”
“You’re every bit as strong as they are, Samantha. Look at what you recently endured and survived thanks to your own wits and moxie. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Maybe so, but I think about something happening to Scotty… I didn’t give birth to him or even get to raise him, but I’d lose my mind just the same.”
He put his arm around her. “I know, babe. I would too.”
Sam’s phone rang and she took the call from Captain Malone. “What’ve you got?”
“CSU got some really good prints. We’re running them through AFIS now.”
“Let’s hope he’s in the system.”
“That could bust this thing wide open. I sent your squad home for the night. They were running on fumes and emotion, which can make for a dangerous combination. I’ve ordered them back at zero seven hundred. You should head home too.”
“We’re doing everything we can to find this guy, aren’t we, Cap?”
“Everything and then some. The Marshals are the best at this, and we’re supporting them in every way we can. The national news has picked up the story and they’re broadcasting the suspect’s picture. Someone will see him and call us.”
“Call me if anything pops overnight? I’ll have my phone with me.” She’d never again be without it.
“I will. Try to get some sleep. It’s going to be a long week.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yes you will, and for what it’s worth, it’s damned good to have you back on the job, Lieutenant.”
“Thank you.” Sam closed her phone and stashed it in her coat pocket. “I want to see my kid, do the stupid dress fitting and go straight to bed with my husband, okay?”
“Whatever you want, babe.”
“That’s what I want.”
And that’s what she got. They had dinner with Scotty, had a good talk with him about Arnold’s death and came away feeling like he was handling it well enough that counseling wasn’t necessary. But they left that option open to him if he changed his mind. Nick helped with his math homework and sent him off to shower while she endured the dress fitting with an overly sympathetic Marcus, who had become a friend to both of them since he’d been dressing Sam.
She loved the midnight blue velvet gown he’d created for her to wear to the inaugural balls as well as the gorgeous red dress and matching coat he’d made for her to wear to the actual inauguration.
When he produced a tie for Nick that matched the red dress, Sam smiled for the first time in hours. “I love that, Marcus.”
“I’m so glad you do, hon.” He had curly blond hair and warm brown eyes. “Nice to see you smile.”
“It’s been an absolutely dreadful day.”
“Tomorrow will be better. I always believe that.”
“I hope you’re right. Thanks for coming later for me.”
“Are you kidding? I get to dress the most interesting woman in America. I’d come in the middle of the night to tend to you, my friend.”
“You are far too kind.”
He kissed her cheek. “Hang in there, okay? I’ll be here Tuesday to help you get ready. We’ve got hair and makeup people coming. You’re going to knock their socks off.”
“Oh joy.”
He laughed and waved as he left the room she used as a closet with both dresses in garment bags slung over his arm. He’d make final alterations tomorrow and have them back to her by tomorrow night.
Nick appeared at the doorway, glass of wine in hand. “He doesn’t get to see you naked, does he?”
“Oh my God. Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”
“No, he does not get to see me naked. Only you do, but that could change.”
“I brought this up for you, but if you’re going to threaten me that way, maybe I’ll just drink it myself.”
“Hand it over, and I might forget your green-eyed monster popped in for a visit.”
Smiling, he gave her the wine, and Sam took a sip. “Mmm, that’s good.”
“All set with Marcus?”
“Yep. I’m told there will be hair and makeup people here early on Tuesday,” she added with a scowl.
“Can’t have you looking like a hag in front of the entire country.”
“True.”
It was fun, as always, to banter with her adorable, sexy husband, but the ache in the region of her heart was a constant reminder of what had been lost.
Nick held out his hand to her. “Let’s get you to bed, babe.”
Sam took hold of his hand and let him take over. He helped her out of her clothes and into an oversized T-shirt and put warm, soft socks on her feet, which was what she wore to bed when she had her period. Otherwise, she preferred to sleep naked with him.
He tucked her in and kissed her. “I’m going to grab a quick shower and I’ll be right in, okay?”
Sam nodded.
“Drink your wine. It’ll help you sleep.”
“Okay.” While he got in the shower, she did as he directed and sipped the wine. The way she felt tonight reminded her of the first dreadful days that followed her dad’s shooting, Quenton Johnson’s death, Jeannie’s kidnapping and Stahl’s attack. The aftermath of all those events had been eerily similar. Everything had felt a bit surreal, like it hadn’t actually happened or as if it had happened in a dream. It was like that tonight. She kept trying to forget that Arnold had been shot and killed, but the awful reality would creep back in to remind her it hadn’t been a dream.
Even seeing his heartbroken parents and dealing with her shattered squad hadn’t resulted in reality overriding her desperate desire to pretend it wasn’t real. She ought to be out trying to help find the man who’d killed her colleague and friend, but the fire that had burned so hot and bright earlier had given way to despair and exhaustion as the day had worn on.
She’d be back to work in the morning, doing what she could to get justice for Arnold and the victims of the knife attacks. She was comforted to know that while she was off duty, members of the MPD, the Marshal Service and the FBI were looking for Besozzi.
Her phone rang and she took the call from Captain Malone. “Hey,” she said.
“Hope I’m not waking you.”
“I was awake. What’s up?”
“Does the name Sid Androzzi mean anything to you?”
Sam sat up in bed. “You’re joking, right?”
“No joke.”
Androzzi was on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List for his role in a human trafficking ring that had been busted in New York City and Los Angeles. While the busts had shut down Androzzi’s operations in those two cities, he’d remained at large with his subordinates unwilling to disclose his whereabouts even to save their own asses. “He’s been hiding out in plain sight in our city?”
“So it appears. His fingerprints were all over the townhouse.”
“Holy shit. And Hill didn’t recognize him from the photo?”
“Apparently, he has significantly changed his appearance since he was last seen. Needless to say, the criminal portion of this case has been escalated right out of our hands and into the jurisdiction of the FBI. The Marshals are still overseeing the manhunt.”
“What about the fact that we have jurisdiction
over the knife attacks and the murder of one of our officers?”
“The way I see it, we continue to work the case our own way while they work it their way, in cooperation, of course.”
“Of course. I do like how you think, Captain.”
“I figured you would. So we dig in deep in the morning, yes?”
“You bet. I’ll see you at seven.”
“See you then.”
Nick came out of the bathroom, a towel tied around his waist, leaving his incredibly perfect chest on full display.
Sam stared at him the way she usually did, in awe that such a beautiful man—inside and out—was hers to keep forever.
“What?” he asked.
“You.” She fanned her face. “Seriously hot.”
“Honestly, Samantha.”
She loved how embarrassed he got when she commented on his insane hotness, which was often. “Just stating the truth.”
“Whatever.” The view got even better when he dropped the towel and got into bed. “Who was on the phone?”
“Malone. You’re not going to believe who our shooter really is.” She filled him in on Androzzi’s place on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List.
“He was hiding in plain sight.”
“Exactly, and it proves that William Enright’s theory about the website he was having them build was spot-on. It wasn’t about T-shirts at all.”
“Human trafficking. Just the words are so vile.”
“The Feds have entire task forces devoted to the issue and trying to stop these guys. That we could’ve had one of the most wanted traffickers living here for who knows how long and doing God knows what. It makes me sick.”
“I’m sure you and your team will get to the bottom of it and catch this bastard.”
“We’ve been superseded by the Feds, but we’re going to continue to work the case under the radar.”
He turned on his side and reached for her. “You need to shut down and forget about it all for a few hours.”
With her hand flat against his chest and her head cushioned by his arm she said, “So do you.”
“I’m fine.”
“I want you to sleep.”