Page 65 of State of Suspense

“I need a name.”

“You won’t say it came from me, will you?”

“Never.”

Her deep sigh came through loud and clear. “Anita Wentworth. She works with Conlon.”

A tingle traveled down Sam’s backbone.

She wrote down the woman’s name. “I’ll be at your office tomorrow to speak to Conlon and Anita. Please don’t say anything to her ahead of time.”

“I never would.”

“Thanks. See you then.”

Every case was frustrating in its own way, but the stone walls she kept crashing into with this one were infuriating. It seemed to her they’d been erected intentionally, to keep someone like her out in a situation like this.

Throbbing from her wrist and hip had her reaching for the pain pills. So what if it was too soon for more? Shit, Harry had put the cap back on, and there was no way to open them with only one working hand.

“Cruz!”

He came to the door, looking perturbed.

She held up the bottle. “Open this for me, will you? And without commentary.”

Now he looked even more annoyed. He took the bottle from her, shook out two pills and dropped them into the palm of her left hand.

“One more.”

He scowled as he added the third pill.

Sam took them with a sip of water while hoping they’d work quickly.

“Why don’t you go home?”

“Not yet. I’m taking a short day tomorrow.”

“No one cares if you take two short days in a row.”

“After taking a whole week off and missing most of the last two cases? I’m not leaving.”

“We’re not keeping score, Sam.”

“You’re not, but others are. You know they are.”

“No one who matters.”

“Perception is reality around here, and it’s bad enough I’m being driven around by the Secret Service like a princess. I don’t need to give them any more reason to talk shit about me.”

“But you’re injured after taking down a suspect on the job. Anyone would go home because of that.”

“I need to see through this day. I’ll go home as soon as we’re done.”

Avery Hill appeared in her doorway.

Sam waved him in, noting he looked tired but happy. “How’s the new baby?”

“Loud.”

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