Page 172 of State of Suspense

While Gonzo laughed, Sam said, “No, we’re going to speak to the pastor about setting a trap for Harlan Peckham.”

“Oh good, because I thought hell had finally frozen over.”

“Nope. Hell is safe for another day. Let’s go.” As they headed for the morgue exit, Sam said, “Do you want to take your own car so you can go home after this?”

“Nah, I’ll ride with you and hop on the Metro after.”

“Are you getting spoiled by my chauffeured ride?”

“Maybe?”

“Don’t do that. I can’t have you going soft on me.”

“Soft… Whatever. Ask Elin if I’m soft.”

Sam spun around, in a state of total shock. “Did you just make a penis joke?”

“What? No! I meant in general! What the hell is wrong with you?”

Sam lost it laughing. She laughed so hard she saw stars.

Freddie pushed her out the door ahead of him.

Vernon jumped out of the SUV when he saw them coming. “What’s so funny?”

“She’s ridiculous.”

“I thought he…” She couldn’t even say it without losing her shit all over again. Even seat-belted into the SUV, she continued to laugh so hard, it was a wonder she didn’t wet her pants.

“I need to know what’s so funny,” Vernon said.

“She said she doesn’t want me going soft, and I said, ‘Soft, ha! Ask Elin if I’m soft,’ and she thought I meant?—”

“Say no more. I’ve got the picture.”

That set Sam off all over again.

“She’s like a twelve-year-old who just heard her first D joke.”

“He can’t even say it.”

“Because I’m an adult with decorum, unlike someone I could name.”

“This might be the funniest thing that’s ever happened in my entire life.”

His disdainful expression was frosting on the funny cake.

She wiped away tears and made a Herculean effort to pull herself together. There was work to be done and a delicate plan to put together. She had no time for tomfoolery.

“Are you done now?”

“I think so.”

Sam took a deep breath and released it slowly, hoping to reset herself to focus on more important things than whether her once-innocent partner had turned into a heathen on her watch.

“Can someone tell me where we’re headed?” Vernon asked.

Freddie gave him the address of the church that Sam had written down.

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