Page 180 of State of Suspense

“I’m going to tell you this in the plainest possible language—leave Henry alone.”

“Or else what?”

“That’s all I’m going to say.”

The line went dead.

“Um, I think the Attorney General of the United States just threatened me.”

“No way,” Freddie said, eyes gone wide.

“What did he say?” Vernon asked.

Sam repeated the conversation back to them.

“That needs to be immediately reported to your superiors and mine,” Vernon said.

“I’ll agree to report it to my superiors, but let’s not bring yours into it.”

“I have no choice, Sam. You’ve been threatened. I have to report that.”

She wished she hadn’t said anything. The AG had been spouting off, flexing his muscles, whatever you want to call it. She didn’t believe he would dare to harm her. He’d be a fool to come anywhere near her.

When they returned to HQ, Sam went through the conversation with Cox again for Malone and then a second time when he asked her to tell it to the chief.

“I can’t believe he’d have the stones to threaten you,” Farnsworth said.

“He’s used to being able to push people around. He doesn’t like being pushed back.”

“Still, that’s no reason for him to threaten a police officer.”

“What do we even do about it? It’s not like we can report him to his higher-ups. His boss is my husband, and the last thing either of us needs is to be caught in the middle of something like this.”

The BlackBerry rang.

“Speak of the devil.”

Chapter Thirty

Sam took the call from Nick. “Hi, honey. How’s your day going?” She grimaced at the chief as she forced the cheery tone with her husband.

“Is it true that Cox threatened you?”

“How do you already know that?”

“Answer the question, Samantha.”

“He said something that some might consider a threat.”

“Tell me exactly what he said.”

Sam told the story yet again. “Henry is his nephew and admin, and he’s probably just being protective of him.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Please don’t do anything.”

“Sam, he threatened you. Who in the fuck does he think he is?”

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