Page 13 of State of Suspense

“Thank you. I recognize you from TV. My dad thought it was cool that he worked with the first lady.” She leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Are you going to find out who did this?”

“We’re working on that right now,” Sam said, “and thank you for telling me that about your dad. I liked working with him, too. We all did.”

Freddie and Gonzo nodded in agreement.

“I was asking your mom if there was anything different about your dad in relation to work or anything else in the last few weeks.”

“He was super stressed,” Aurora said. “When he drove me to my softball game last Saturday, he was on the phone the whole time. He never does that when he’s with us.” She stopped herself when she seemed to realize she was speaking of him in the present tense. “Or at least he never did that before. Naomi said he was distracted when he drove her somewhere the week before last, too.”

“The girls would notice that,” Leslie said, “because Tom made a point of giving us his full attention when he was at home. I’d been taking care of my mother, who had hip replacement surgery three weeks ago, so I’d been distracted, too.”

“You’ve been very helpful.” Sam put her card on the coffee table. “If you think of anything else he said or did, or any other odd things, please call me. My cell number is on there.”

“You can just give people your cell number like that?” Aurora asked.

“I can give it to you.” Sam gave her a playful look. “You aren’t going to put it on Instagram or anything, are you?”

“Oh, no. I’d never do that.”

“I know. I was kidding.”

Faith returned to the room, carrying a laptop. When her gaze met Sam’s, she shook her head.

Damn it. Sam had hoped there’d be a paper trail on the Bryant investigation in Tom’s home office. Where else would it be if it wasn’t at home or at work?

“I was wondering,” Leslie said tentatively, “if you might be willing to say a few words at Tom’s service.”

“I’d be honored,” Sam said, moved by the request. “Tell me when and where.”

“I should know more in the next couple of days.”

Sam handed her a different card. “That’s for my chief of staff at the White House. Lilia will work with you to get me where I need to be.” Then she placed her notebook and pen on the table. “Will you please give me your cell phone numbers and Naomi’s in case we have more questions?”

Aurora wrote down the numbers and gave the notebook to Sam.

“I’ll keep you posted on the investigation, and again, you have our deepest sympathies.”

“Thank you,” Leslie said as she hugged Faith.

Conlon Young showed them out.

“I’d like to speak with you one-on-one,” Sam said to him. “Your place or ours?”

“Twelve thirty at my office on Tuesday? I need tomorrow to help plan a funeral.”

“I’ll see you then.”

They made their way to the SUV.

“Back to HQ, please, Vernon.”

“Right away, ma’am. There’s an accident on the GW Parkway, so we may experience some delays.”

“Awesome.” Sam looked forward to the day when she could zip around the city like George Jetson had, although that would entail flying, one of her least favorite things. Until that day, DC-area traffic was a cross to be borne. “Thoughts?”

“It’s interesting that Leslie and the girls had no clue they were being held hostage until they were rescued,” Gonzo said.

“That stood out to me, too,” Sam said. “They were obviously well cared for and bought the story that Tom needed them in a safe place while he took care of business.” She glanced at Gonzo. “Where’s Congressman Bryant?”

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