Page 127 of State of Suspense

“I have nothing to hide.”

“I don’t believe you, and I’m going to shake your closet until all the skeletons fall out.”

His expression turned into a nasty sneer. “It’s true what people say about you.”

“Is it? I love to hear that. Let me tell you something else. I’m going to rip your life apart—and your nephew’s—and I’m going to enjoy it, you smug son of a bitch.”

“Everything all right over here?” Nick asked as he joined them.

Cox’s entire demeanor immediately became more amiable in Nick’s presence. Interesting. “Of course, Mr. President. I’m just having a friendly chat with your wife.”

“It didn’t look friendly from a distance, which is why I came over to see what’s going on.”

Cox smiled at him. “Nothing at all, sir. As you might imagine, tensions are running high for all of us in law enforcement after the murder of a USA and the shooting of a high-ranking FBI agent.”

“Yes, they sure are,” Sam said with a meaningful look for Cox. “And you’d think that people with information about those crimes—especially those who know better—would be forthcoming, but alas, they’re not.”

If looks could kill, Sam would be so dead.

Judging by the thunderous expression on Nick’s face, Sam’s not-so-subtle message had registered with him, too.

“It would displease me, General Cox, if you were to obstruct my wife’s investigation in any way or attempt to pull rank on her or the MPD as they seek justice for Tom Forrester.”

The not so thinly veiled threat had Cox going pale.

Mr. President would be getting the good sex later.

Sam curled her hand around Nick’s arm. “I’ve had enough of this conversation. Let’s go talk to our friends.”

“Lead the way, my love.”

As they walked away from Cox, Sam whispered, “You’re going to get luckier than you ever have in your life later.”

“Is that right?” he asked with a chuckle.

“That guy is an insufferable boob, and you just made him shit his pants.”

“Judging by the stink, you’d already done that before I showed up.”

“Oh, I love you. So, so, so much.”

“Why didn’t you tell me he was giving you grief?”

“Because I’m handling it.”

“Am I going to have a problem with my AG?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Do what you must, and don’t worry about me. I’ll handle whatever comes up.”

“You’re the best husband I ever had.”

Grunting out a laugh, he said, “The bar was set pretty low.”

“And you’ve soared so far over it, you’re in outer space.”

Chapter Twenty-One

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