Page 114 of State of Suspense

“Our cameras didn’t catch it, but I’ve asked for the gym’s footage. They’re sending it over. What are you thinking?”

“Is it related to Tom?”

“That’d be a stretch, no?”

“I suppose, but worth looking into. Freddie is delivering Avery’s bullet to the lab.”

“We’ll let the ballistics analysis tell us whether there’s a connection. In the meantime, I still say it’s a stretch. I’m headed downstairs to talk cell tower pings with Gonzo.”

“He told me. Thanks.”

“Have a great time tonight.” He’d declined her invite to attend, saying fancy dinners weren’t his thing.

“Thanks. I think.”

He was laughing when he ended the call.

Vernon drove the SUV through the White House gates, where Sam immediately noticed a tent on the South Lawn, as well as catering trucks and frenetic activity. She’d much rather chase murderers for a living than be responsible for pulling off an event of this magnitude.

Lilia met her inside. She wore a sharp red suit with black heels and looked more like the lady of the manor than Sam ever would. Fortunately, the lord of the manor preferred her, for some weird reason.

“How’d you know I was on the way?”

Lilia gave her a look that basically said “duh” in the classiest way possible.

“Don’t tell me. It’s your job to know.”

“That’s right.” She led Sam through an elaborate maze of corridors to the in-house salon that was one of the cooler perks of being the first lady.

In a matter of minutes, Davida had washed and conditioned her hair, using the best-smelling products Sam had ever encountered. With no choice in the matter, she closed her eyes and tried to relax her racing mind while Davida worked her magic with the hair dryer. Next up was Ginger with makeup to cover the bruise on her cheek, while Kendra did her nails in a lovely shade of burgundy to match her velvet dress.

Ginger was careful around the wound on her face. “Tell me if it hurts.”

“I will.”

By the time Ginger was finished, it was impossible to tell that Sam had been injured.

“That’s amazing, Ginger. Thank you.”

“My pleasure, ma’am.”

“You ladies have scrubbed the feral right out of me,” Sam said when they were finished. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re very welcome,” Davida said. “Have a wonderful time.”

“I will.”

“Is Nick in the Oval?” Sam asked Lilia as they left the salon forty minutes after they’d arrived.

“He is.”

“Could I have just a minute with him?”

“That’s about all we’ve got, but I’ll make it happen. Right this way.”

Thankfully, Lilia knew the place inside out and led her to the Oval in a matter of minutes, when it would’ve taken Sam all day to figure out how to get there from the salon.

When the admin outside Nick’s office saw them coming, she stood to greet them. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Cappuano.”

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