Page 198 of State of Suspense

You have no idea, Sam wanted to say, but the info about Cox was still confidential. For now, anyway. It was only a matter of time before Cox would become the latest mess of leftovers from the Nelson administration that Nick had to clean up.

“Now for assignments.” Sam went through each member of the team and what she needed from them on Sunday. The Patrol officers would be in the church when Cori arrived and accompany her outside, playing the parts of friends and acquaintances catching up outside after the service ended.

“What about vests?” Youncy asked.

Sam glanced to Malone to take that one.

“As much as I hate to say it, I don’t think we can risk Peckham noticing all the congregants are bulky in the chest area. It would be a giveaway.”

That was what Sam would’ve said, too. “I’d like Cori to wear one under her coat, though.”

“Agreed,” Farnsworth said.

They went through every detail of the plan, positioning of officers, sharpshooters and federal agents.

“What do you need from us?” Captain Ruiz asked.

“I need your team to provide communication support nearby and to be ready to intervene should the need arise.”

“We usually take a more active role.”

“That’s the role we need you to take this time.”

Ruiz didn’t like that answer.

Sam didn’t care.

“Any other questions, comments, thoughts?” When there were none, she said, “Thank you all for your participation. We’ll convene here at zero seven hundred on Sunday to go through the plan one more time before we head out.”

The others filed out of the room, leaving Sam with Cruz, Gonzo, Malone, Farnsworth and Archie.

“Is this plan insane?” she asked them.

“Maybe a little, but I think it’s the fastest way to draw this guy out and end this thing,” Farnsworth said.

“Have I overlooked anything?”

“Not that I can think of,” Malone said.

Sam accepted that the sick feeling in her stomach would stay with her until they got through Sunday. In the meantime, she had a press briefing to handle and a hearing to get to. “After I do the briefing, I’m going to court for the hearing in Spencer’s case.”

“Do you want me to come?” Freddie asked.

“That’s okay, but thanks for offering. Tracy will be there.”

“And me,” Gonzo said with a small smile.

“And you.” He’d served as the lead detective on Spencer’s case so there could be no conflicts of interest tied to Sam and her relationship to one of the victims.

“I’ll give you a lift, if you’d like,” Sam said.

“I won’t say no to that.”

“It’s a date. I’ll meet you back here after I do the briefing.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Sam went into her office and texted Vernon to tell him she was headed outside to brief the press.

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