from Captain Malone on the Bluetooth. “Morning, Cap.”
“Morning. Checking in for the latest on McLeod.”
“Ugh, I hate that case.”
“I’m aware of that, but you still have to solve it, if you can.”
“Do I really? We need to pass a law that Homicide resources should only be expended on people who deserve justice.”
“I’ll get right on that,” he said dryly. “In the meantime, where are we?”
“We’re working our way, slowly, through all the people who had motive. Today, we’re talking to some of the bigger investors, figuring they’d have more motive. But honestly, there’s motive everywhere we look. We’ve also got the husband and the Realtor in lockup, awaiting lawyers.”
“I heard the Realtor is raising holy hell and talking about lawsuits.”
“She lawyered up. Her lawyer couldn’t get there yesterday. That’s not our fault.”
“Try telling her that.”
“I will tell her that when I get around to her today.”
“Nick’s announcement bumped the twenty-four-seven coverage of the McLeod case out of the headlines. Jesus, Sam. We’ve never seen this many reporters at HQ.”
She glanced in her rearview mirror for the first time since leaving home and was a tiny bit relieved to see the black Secret Service SUV following her. Not that she’d admit that to anyone ever. “Sorry about that. I don’t know why they come to my workplace when I’ve never once given them anything about him.”
“It’s not your fault your husband crushed the world with his announcement.”
“Ouch. You really gotta put it that way?”
“It’s true. I’ve felt a little less optimistic about the future since I heard he’s not running.”
“Whereas the future is looking bright and rosy from my perspective.”
He barked out a laugh. “I’ll bet it is.”
“I’m not going to lie to you. I’m so relieved. I would’ve supported him no matter what he did, but I’m so much happier to support him as a private citizen than as president. VP has been enough of a drag for all of us, but especially for him. The security makes it so confining.”
“I couldn’t do it. I give him credit.”
“I do too, but I’ll be very glad when his term ends.”
“What’s he gonna do?”
“He’s not sure yet. He’s considering his options, but he’s got a few years yet to figure it out.”
“I’m sure he’ll kill whatever he does.”
“Thanks. I’m excited to see what comes next.” It meant a lot to Sam that the people closest to her loved and respected her husband. That was another thing that had been missing during her first marriage, when her family and friends had done little to hide their contempt for Peter.
“The other thing I wanted to tell you was that I talked to the chief, and he’s agreed to give you some latitude to take a look at the Worthington case, but no OT.”
Sam felt a charge of excitement at being able to tell Lenore they were going to investigate Calvin’s case again. “Thank you. That’ll mean a lot to Calvin’s mother. She’s never given up on trying to get justice for him.”
“I remember that case and how we never uncovered a single lead. It was frustrating.”
“Who was the lead on it? Do you recall?”
“I think Stahl was. He was a detective then.”
A trickle of unease rippled down her backbone. “If he was anything like he was as a lieutenant, I’m sure he left many stones unturned.”
“I suppose we’ll find out. Have you met with Hill yet?”
“This afternoon. You?”
“Yesterday.”
“How was it?”
“Not too bad. Mostly, the Feds are looking to get a handle on roles and responsibilities and interpersonal issues.”
“I’m sure my name came up a few times on the interpersonal issues.”
“Once or twice.”
“I hope you told them it’s not my fault the men in our department can’t handle a woman who’s smarter than they are.”
“Not all the men can’t handle it, and they know that. I made sure to mention you’ve had a tough path with your dad being deputy chief when you were first with the department and then a revered injured officer in the later years.”
“People like Stahl and Ramsey, and I’m sure others, are convinced the only reason I’ve ever gotten anywhere was because of who my daddy was. They refuse to believe it could’ve happened because of me.”
“The people who matter know that, Sam.”
“I know, but it still rankles to be dismissed by idiots who are always looking for someone else to blame for their own failures. It burns Ramsey’s ass that I outrank him, but whose fault is that?”
“One hundred percent his. He’s had disciplinary issues from the start.”