Page 123 of State of Suspense

“She means it’s all hers,” Nick replied.

Sam couldn’t deny that, so she didn’t try, even as she flushed with embarrassment to have her fierce crush outed by her husband. “Are you singing for us later?”

“You know it.”

“I can’t wait.”

Sam’s squad and others from the department arrived together, minus Dominguez and Carlucci, who were holding down the fort on the Forrester investigation. They’d be on the guest list for the next big event.

“You guys look gorgeous,” Sam said.

Deputy Chief Jeannie McBride, whose pregnancy was beginning to show, hugged her. “Was about to say the same to you. Stunning.”

“Aw, thanks. It took a whole team of people to make it happen.”

“I have no doubt.”

Sam laughed, appreciating her friend keeping things real. Next, she hugged Elin Cruz. “Been thinking of you, friend. How’re you doing?”

“Better every day, and hopeful for the next time.”

“That’s the way to be. As I told Freddie, I feel in my bones that you two are going to make me an auntie several times over.”

Elin pulled back and gave her a warm smile. “I hope so.”

Sam adjusted Freddie’s bow tie, which didn’t need fixing. “My little grasshopper has grown up to be a damned handsome man.”

He flashed an irreverent grin. “I know, right? Thanks for this. We’ll never forget it.”

“Thanks for being here. Means everything to have my besties here.”

Gonzo, Christina, Captain Malone and his wife, Val, Chief Farnsworth and his wife, Marti, Jeannie’s husband, Michael Wilkinson, Matt O’Brien and Cameron Green hugged her and raved about the event and how pretty she looked.

“Save us a minute if you have one,” Gonzo said. “We’ve got some developments.”

“I’ll find a minute.”

Derek Kavanaugh and Roni Connolly arrived, hand in hand. Seeing them together after both had been widowed filled Sam with joy.

“You’re glowing, Mama,” Sam said to the pregnant Roni. She was expecting her late husband Patrick’s child in June.

“If you say so.”

“I say so, and I’m the boss of you.”

Roni laughed as she hugged Sam.

“Thank you for all you did to fill in for Terry,” Nick said to Derek.

“I never want to have to deal with a state dinner again.”

“So noted,” Nick said, grinning.

“Give me four hundred thirty-five temperamental Congress members over one caterer.”

Sam, Nick and Roni laughed at the face he made.

“What’re you hearing about Avery?” Derek asked.

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