Page 160 of State of Suspense

“Thanks, Cam. Tell Freddie to come in, will you?”

“Sure thing.”

Her partner appeared at the door a minute later. “You summoned?”

“Will you please figure out where we might find Judge Sawyer?”

“Yep.”

He returned a few minutes later. “She’s in her office at E Street Northwest. I spoke to her clerk, and she said it’s fine to come by.”

“Let’s go.”

Lindsey stretched out on the sofa in her favorite room in the townhome she shared with Terry. Afternoon sun streamed in through the windows she kept uncovered to take full advantage of the natural light. The cheery blooms on her orchids that lined the windowsills filled her with delight. Raising orchids had become a hobby after Terry bought her one for her birthday last year, and now she was obsessed with understanding the complicated, moody plants.

Terry came in with a tray that he placed on her lap. He’d made her tea and toast with the strawberry jam she loved. Next to that was a bowl of berries and a medicine cup with her afternoon pills.

“This looks delicious. Thank you.”

“Can I get you anything else?” As he took a seat on the coffee table, she noticed his handsome face was still pinched from the strain of the last few days.

Lindsey held out a hand to him. “I’m all right. I promise.” The doctors prescribed rest and relaxation until she felt back to normal.

He kissed the back of her hand. “That’s all that matters to me. You know that, right?”

“I do, and I’m sorry I scared you.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me.”

“Yes, I do. I feel bad that I put you through such an ordeal, especially during such a big week at work.”

“As long as you’re feeling better, I’m fine.”

“Are you?” She studied him, looking for cracks in the veneer.

“I’ve been doing meetings twice a day online and talking to my sponsor several times a day.”

“I’m proud of you.”

He snorted. “Why?”

“Because you recognized the makings of a crisis and acted accordingly. Not that long ago, you might’ve made different choices that would’ve led to trouble.”

“I have every good reason to stay clean and sober these days. I have the woman of my dreams, the job of my dreams, the life of my dreams. I’d never do anything to mess up any of it, especially with the woman of my dreams.”

Lindsey smiled. How could she not? “We’re so lucky. So, so lucky.”

“Yes, we are.”

His work phone rang. “Gotta take that. Enjoy your snack.”

“You can go to work if you’re needed there.”

“Maybe tomorrow.” He kissed her cheek and got up to take the call. “Hey, Derek, what’s up?”

While he talked to the deputy chief of staff, Lindsey sipped her tea and took bites of toast. Her phone buzzed with a text from Sam.

How you feeling, Doc? Miss you around the house.

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