Page 106 of State of Suspense

“You’re the best. I’ll see you shortly.”

“I’ll be here. We’re ready to help you shine.”

“Thank God and all the angels in heaven for you and your team.”

Lilia was laughing as they ended the call.

“That woman is a saint,” Freddie said without looking up from his phone.

“She sure is. Imagine having to manage me.”

“No, thank you.”

Sam sputtered with laughter as she smacked his arm. “Be quiet.”

“I’m just saying… She’s a saint.”

“She and Roni and the others in the first lady office are making it possible for me to continue to do this job while they make it look like I’m doing that job, too.”

“You are doing that job. Just because you’re not out doing some event every day doesn’t mean you’re not an active first lady.”

“Others did much more than I ever will.”

“And you put murderers in prison.”

“When you say it that way…”

“You’re doing something no one else has ever done. Your tenure as first lady won’t look like others, and that’s okay.”

“You need to listen to your grasshopper,” Vernon said.

“I’m trying to figure out when he got so wise.”

“Puleeze. I’ve always been wise. You just actually listen to me now.”

The laughter, the bantering and the reinforcements were just what she’d needed as she walked the tightrope between the competing demands in her complicated life.

They arrived at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the meeting with Young.

Vernon walked them inside, where they navigated security and took the elevator.

A receptionist jumped up when she saw them coming. “Mr. Young is waiting for you.” She seemed to take great pleasure in showing them the way.

“Thank you.”

The young woman beamed with pleasure that told Sam she was a fan. “You’re welcome.”

Conlon Young stood when they came into his office. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

“Thank you for seeing us at such a difficult time,” Sam said.

“Of course. I want to do whatever I can to assist in your investigation.” He gestured for them to have a seat. “Can I get you anything?”

The pizza had made her thirsty, so she would love some water, but didn’t want to take the time. “We’re good, thank you.”

“How’s the investigation going so far?”

“Slowly, but we’re making some progress. Naturally, we’re focused on Damien Bryant, the campaign finance investigation and the men who took Forrester’s family hostage. They say it was on Bryant’s order. He denies that, but why else would they have done such a thing? Bryant says he had nothing to do with Forrester’s death, but we find that hard to believe. In the meantime, we’re also looking at a number of other possibilities, including the dispute with his neighbors, the Sellerses.”

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