Page 194 of State of Suspense

“Not likely tonight, but I’ll try.”

They brushed their teeth and settled into bed a few minutes later.

“Want me to rub your back?” she asked.

“That’s okay. You’ve got a sprained wrist.”

“I’ve got another hand that’s fully functional. Come on. That always relaxes you.”

“Sure, if you want to.”

“Be right back.” She went to the bathroom to fetch the massage oil. “Turn over.”

He turned so he was facedown, arms around the pillow.

Sam straddled his back and used her uninjured hand to work the coconut-scented oil into muscles so tight they felt like concrete.

“Feels good. Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

“I keep meaning to remind you I’m traveling next week.”

Sam’s hand went still. “For how long?”

“Four days.”

“Oh.” She was already bereft at the thought of four days without him, as silly as that seemed. “Okay.”

“I’m already dreading it.”

“Me, too.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. You have to get out there and do the job. We knew your travel would pick up eventually.”

“I hate being away from you guys.”

Sam hated it, too. “I know.”

“Close your eyes and focus on breathing. Just breathe.”

He did as directed, and after a while, he seemed to relax ever so slightly.

She kept it up until her hand and back were aching.

His breathing had deepened.

Sam moved carefully to get up to wash her hands. When she got in bed, he turned on his side and put his arm around her, drawing her in close to him.

“Thanks.”

She squeezed his hand. “Love you.”

“You, too. So much.”

While his breathing settled into a steady rhythm that she hoped was sleep, she lay awake with her thoughts spinning from one miserable thing to another. From the concrete prison discovered at Stahl’s to the plan to use Cori Sawyer as bait to Tom’s murderer, to Nick leaving for four whole days, to Avery’s shooting and where Juan Rodriguez might be.

---