Page 170 of State of Suspense

After Derek left, Nick returned to the Resolute Desk and sat in his chair, marveling at what his friend had told him about his romance with Roni. There’d been a time after Derek’s wife, Victoria, was murdered—and later found to have been doing the bidding of one of President Nelson’s rivals—when Nick and their other friends had feared Derek might never recover from the shock and betrayal. A letter from Vic, provided by her attorney, had professed her profound love for Derek, which had helped to soothe some of the hurt. But it had been a long, difficult journey for Derek and his daughter, Maeve. Nick was delighted to hear Derek speaking so effusively about Roni and their relationship.

He spun around to look at the family photos Sam had put on the credenza behind the desk. He picked up the one of all of them from Christmas and smiled at the gorgeous family they’d created for themselves. As long as he had them, whatever his mother had in store for him would be nothing he couldn’t handle.

Or so he hoped.

Sam went into her office to call Judge Sawyer.

“She’s due in court in five minutes,” her clerk said.

“I only need one minute.”

“Please hold.”

Sam listened to the annoying music that played as her mind raced with a million details that would need to be seen to ahead of this plan coming to fruition.

“Hi there. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No problem. Tell me more about your church.”

“We go to Citizens Community in Northwest. It’s a lovely nondenominational service focused on better understanding Scripture.”

“What’s the address?”

“It’s on 16th. I’m not sure of the street number.”

“I can find that. What time is the Sunday service?”

“Ten o’clock.”

“Do you go every week?”

“Every week that we can. Sometimes a kid’s game will interfere, but we usually divide and conquer, with one of us taking some of the kids to church while the other parent goes to the game. I always choose church if I can. My husband prefers the games.”

“And the pastor’s name?”

“The Reverend Eleanor Simpson.”

“Do I have your permission to reach out to her to set something up for this Sunday?”

“How will you protect the regular attendees?”

“We’ll plan for that and everything else.”

“Okay.”

“I understand your trepidation, and I promise you we’re working it from every possible angle to ensure the safety of everyone involved.”

“I spoke to my husband about this, and he’s concerned, naturally.”

“My greatest concern is Harlan Peckham getting to you before we can set this up.”

“The sheriff deputies are taking my security and that of my family very seriously.”

“As they should. Please be careful, Cori. Every minute of every day.”

“I’m scared, Sam.”

“I know, and I’m sorry to put you through this.”

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