Page 138 of State of Suspense

“The job gave him cover,” Malone said.

“Yes, I guess it did.” She shuddered. “The thought of him sealing off those people in a tomb while they were still alive…”

“It’s the stuff of nightmares,” the chief said bluntly. “As is the hearing we have this afternoon to vacate the charges against Eric Davies, who Stahl framed on rape charges.”

“Sixteen years in prison,” Malone said, “all because Davies complained about the way Stahl treated him during a traffic stop when Stahl was in Patrol.”

“What’s the blowback going to look like on all this?” Sam asked.

“We’re working with Public Affairs to craft a statement that adequately reflects our shock and revulsion at learning a colleague we trusted could’ve betrayed us all this way.”

“That’s a good angle to put on it,” Sam said.

Freddie returned with a cold bottle of water.

“Thank you,” she said with a grateful smile.

“Are you okay?”

“I am. Don’t worry.” She took a few sips of the water, made sure she had her emotions in check and then stood. “Let’s get to Jessup. I don’t want another day to get away from me.” To Gonzo, she said, “I’ll call with an update.”

“We’ll get with George and Faith in the meantime.”

“Sounds good.”

“One other thing for you before you go… The golf pro. We ran him through NCIC, and it turns out his real name is Tristan Walsh—he’d added the O to get the job at the country club. As Tristan Walsh, he’s wanted in multiple jurisdictions in the area on charges ranging from B&E to larceny.”

“Wow.”

“I’ve updated those departments on the info we’ve found on him, and they’re picking it up from there.”

“Excellent work, Gonzo. Thank you.”

She and Freddie left HQ a few minutes later with Vernon driving them to GW so she could see Avery.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She wanted to tell him to quit asking her, but she’d never do that. He loved her and was concerned. “It was a lot to hear what they’d found at the house, but I’m okay.”

“I’m trying to imagine how anyone gets to the point in their life where they decide to do something like that to other human beings.”

“I think he probably came out that way. It’s baked into the DNA with people like him.”

“I guess but imagine actually doing that and then going on with your life as if you hadn’t condemned people to the most unimaginable death.”

She shuddered. “I can’t.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll drop it.”

“It’s okay. I get the desire to understand it, even though we never will.”

“No, we won’t.” He looked over at her. “You should check in with Trulo on this.”

“Yeah, I will.”

It’d been a lot lately. More than usual. Between Nick’s ascension to the presidency, Spencer’s shocking death, her fractured hip, the revelation of Stahl’s murder spree, her nemesis Detective Ramsey smashing his car into her Secret Service SUV, the home invasion at Shelby and Avery’s, the shooting at Fort Liberty, Tom’s murder, Avery’s shooting, the relentless pace at work and home, it was all she could do to keep her head above water sometimes.

She fired off a text to the department’s psychiatrist, Dr. Trulo. Got time for an old friend this week?

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