Page 171 of State of Suspense

“You’re not putting me through it. You’re trying to end this madness.”

“I hope it’ll be over by Sunday. In the meantime, we’ve put out a departmentwide alert for all officers to be on the lookout for Harlan Peckham, and it’s possible someone will spot him before Sunday and spare us from having to go through with this plan.”

“That’d be good.”

“I’ll keep you posted.”

“Thanks for all you’re doing. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I won’t be happy until this scumbag is handcuffed and on his way to life in prison.”

Sam was leaving her office when six people wearing civilian clothes came into the pit with Deputy Chief Jeannie McBride. Sam’s heart nearly burst with pride every time she saw the former detective in the same uniform Sam’s father had once worn.

Jeannie smiled when she saw Sam in the doorway to her office. “Sam Holland, our lieutenant in charge of the Homicide division, needs no introduction.”

The people on the tour went bug-eyed when they realized they’d come face-to-face with the first lady. As they started to reach for their phones, Jeannie sternly said, “No photos, no videos.”

Sam recognized one of the men in the group but couldn’t immediately recall his name. She remembered him as the bartender she’d met while investigating her brother-in-law’s death from fentanyl poisoning. He’d told her how he’d been on the job in Baltimore. “I know you.”

“Tim Child. We met at Zénitude.”

Sam shook his hand. “Right! I did a reference for you.”

“And I got the job because of it. Thank you.”

“Welcome aboard.”

“Thanks.”

“Let’s continue on straight ahead,” Jeannie said.

One young woman stopped to speak to Sam. She was petite with dark hair and eyes. “If I may… I just want to say… I so admire your career. I hope I can be just like you someday.”

It was all Sam could do not to laugh in her face, but she was so sincere that Sam wouldn’t dare. “You can probably do better than being like me.”

“I don’t think so. Thank you for the inspiration you’ve provided that brought me to a career in law enforcement.”

“Best of luck to you. Be safe.”

“Thank you. You, too.”

Gonzo stood in his cubicle, pretending to wipe away tears. “I wanna be just like you.”

“Shut up,” Sam said, laughing.

“That was so sweet.”

“If only she knew what a red-hot mess she’s aspiring to be.”

“What’d you do now?” Freddie asked as he came into the pit.

Gonzo filled him in. “Some new recruits were coming through on a tour, and one of them was gushing to the LT about how she wants to be just like her.”

Freddie’s eyebrows lifted to his hairline.

“Whatever you’re gonna say, stuff it. We need to go to church.”

“Do you have a fever?” Freddie asked.

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