you need a friend. Call me, text me, come by my house on Ninth Street, stop by the office. I’m here.”
“That means so much. I’ve stopped hearing from a few people who probably don’t know how to deal with me right now, so it helps to have some new friends to lean on.”
“I’m not just saying it either. I honestly don’t like a lot of people, but for some strange reason, I really like you.”
Roni laughed—hard. “I am so honored.”
“You should be.”
“I haven’t laughed in weeks. You’re already batting a thousand, and you will be hearing from me.”
“I’m counting on that. Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
Sam got back in the car. To the agent holding the door for her, she said, “Wait a sec until Roni gets inside.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Per Sam’s request, the car didn’t move until Roni closed the door behind her. “I really like her.”
“Does she have any idea how lucky she is?” Nick asked, amusement dancing in his lovely eyes.
“She does, because Mom told her,” Scotty said.
Nick laughed. “I’m sure she did.”
“As I recall, Scotty was the one who told her I hate people and that she was lucky I liked her.”
“She needed to know,” Scotty said. “I stand by my statement.”
“Spoken like a future politician,” Nick said.
“Or police officer,” Scotty said.
“Wait, what?” Nick asked. “Since when?”
“I’m just keeping all my options open.”
“I couldn’t handle worrying about both of you.”
“Mom will be too old to run the streets by the time I get there.”
Sam shot him her best perp glare. “Who you calling old?”
“You’re not old now. You will be then.”
“And I’ll still be able to kick your ass.”
“She will, pal,” Nick said. “I wouldn’t mess with her.”
The silly conversation was what they needed after airing out their pain at the meeting. “Thanks for coming tonight, you guys. Meant a lot to me to have you there.”
“It was really cool,” Scotty said, “to hear what those people have been through. It makes you realize you’re not alone with whatever your thing is.”
“That was our goal in starting the group. I’m so glad you came and that you got so much out of it.” She paused before she added, “I hope you know you can always talk to us about how you’re feeling about losing Gramps.”
“I do, but I know it’s so hard for you too. I don’t want to make it worse for you.”
“You couldn’t make it worse. Knowing he was loved by so many has made it easier for me to cope with losing him. Everyone I talk to who knew him has something funny to share about him, or something meaningful about how he touched their lives. I loved hearing the advice he gave you and how you’ll always live by his wise words.”
“I will for sure. I want to make him proud of me.”
“He was so proud of you. He used to tell me all the time what a remarkable kid you are and how much he loved you.”
“I really miss him,” Scotty said. “Every day after school, I want to go see him and tell him everything that happened. He always wanted to hear the latest news.”
“He looked forward to seeing you. You made his last years so much happier than they would’ve been otherwise.”
“I’m glad I could do that for him, but he did a lot for me too.”
They arrived home a short time later and went up the ramp to the front door, where a Black female agent Sam didn’t recognize greeted them.
“Mrs. Cappuano, I’m Kourtney with a K, one of the agents on your detail. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“She says that now,” Sam said to Nick as she shook hands with the new agent. “Great to meet you Kourtney with a K. If you’ve talked to Vernon and Jimmy, you already know it’s not a pleasure to protect me. I apologize in advance.”
“Vernon did mention that Fuzz could be challenging.”
“Ugh, again with that nickname. I hate that name.”
“I’ve heard that as well,” Kourtney said, smiling.
“And yet no one cares that I hate it.”
“That’s above my pay grade, ma’am.”
“Don’t call me ma’am, and we’ll get along fine.”
“Yes, ma’am—I mean, Lieutenant.”
“Better.”
Nick moved her forward with a hand to her back, and she felt a thrill of excitement run through her, knowing he was ready for their end-of-the-day time alone together. She was more than ready.
“I need to call Freddie really quick and also check in with Carlucci.”