Page 199 of State of Suspense

Give us five to put people in place.

That’s all I’ve got.

She used the time to review the materials once more before taking the folder with her to meet the reporters gathered outside the main doors.

They perked up when they saw her, probably sensing something big because she rarely met with them alone.

Vernon moved up to the front of the gathering to stand behind her, while Jimmy watched from behind the reporters. There were probably other agents in the crowd, but she focused on the task at hand.

“Good morning. I’m here to update you on several ongoing investigations and other situations, after which I’ll take a few questions. To make the best use of our time together, a standard reminder that I won’t comment on anything having to do with my husband, the White House or other related topics.

“Yesterday, the MPD was served notice of legal action by two parties. The first, Eric Davies, was released from prison this week after serving sixteen years on aggravated rape charges based on evidence that was later determined to have been fabricated by former Lieutenant Leonard Stahl. As part of the case made against Davies, a woman named Tiffany Jones accused Mr. Davies of rape and testified against him. This week, the body of Ms. Jones was found buried in the backyard at Stahl’s family home. Seventeen other bodies have been found on the property. Of them, Brittany Carter, who’d long been missing, has also been identified. The families of both women have been notified.

“The MPD medical examiner, in collaboration with the FBI lab, is working to identify the remains of others found at Stahl’s home. Needless to say, this has been a grueling and heartbreaking investigation for everyone involved, particularly for our Crime Scene Unit, admirably led by Lieutenant Max Haggerty. He and his team have been working around the clock to fully process the scene at the Stahl home and to bring closure to families who’ve waited far too long to learn what happened to their loved ones.

“On a personal note, my history with Stahl is well known, and even having experienced what I did at his hands, I cannot fathom the depravity that led to what we’re finding at his home. My heart aches for every one of his victims and their families. That each of us at the MPD worked alongside this man who pretended to uphold the law while violating it at every turn is something we’re all struggling with.

“I’m sure many of you gathered here and those watching at home will wonder how a department full of seasoned law enforcement officers could’ve worked adjacent to an alleged serial killer and not known what he was doing while pretending to be one of us. I can assure you that if any of us had had the first inkling as to the true nature of his character, we would’ve done everything in our power to neutralize him before anyone else could be harmed. We take comfort in knowing he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison, where he belongs.”

“Lieutenant, will additional charges be filed against him now that these crimes have come to light?”

“We will fully prosecute him for every crime he’s ever committed, and we will take great pleasure in seeing him convicted and given additional life sentences.” She paused for a beat to change gears. “The other lawsuit was filed by Special Victims Unit Detective Ramsey, who’s currently on administrative leave after ramming a Secret Service SUV and endangering the lives of three people, including two federal agents. He’s facing several felony charges as a result of that incident.

“His lawsuit alleges MPD misconduct in the death of his son, Shane Ramsey, who was shot and killed by one of our sharpshooters after Shane Ramsey took a woman hostage in Rock Creek Park. The testimony of every officer present will support the fact that Shane Ramsey had no intention of letting that woman leave alive, and by taking him, we saved her. We believe the lawsuit has no merit and will quickly be dismissed.

“We’ve identified a person of interest in the murder of U.S. Attorney Tom Forrester and in the attempted murder of FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Avery Hill, who’s recovering from a gunshot wound at home. Ballistics analysis has indicated both men were shot by the same gun, and we’re actively pursuing our suspect. I hope to have more information for you on that investigation shortly. That’s all I have for now. I’ll take a few questions.”

“Do you plan to attend the hearing in your brother-in-law’s case today?”

“Yes, I’ll be there.”

“Lieutenant, I’m sure you can understand the public’s difficulty in understanding how such a prolific criminal could’ve hidden within the ranks of the MPD for so many years. What do you say to those people?”

“We believe Stahl was able to get away with what he did because he was an insider, who understood how the system worked. That gave him advantages most people wouldn’t have in hiding his crimes. When I tell you we’re heartbroken that this happened on our watch, I mean it. Having withstood his depravity personally, I ache for the others who were subjected to it. I wish I could’ve prevented what happened to them, and I know others here feel the same way. Our goal now is to do everything we can to get justice for his victims and their families and to ensure that every corner he ever cut while pretending to do the job is rectified to the best of our ability. That’s a very high priority for everyone in this department.”

“This week, you’ve presided over an intense investigation into the murder of a U.S. Attorney while cohosting a state visit. How is it possible to do both those things at the same time?”

Sam smiled at the blonde TV reporter, who’d been fair to her in the past. “That’s a good question, Audra. And it gives me the chance to do a huge shoutout to the people I work with here and at my White House office, who make it possible for me to do both things simultaneously while also raising a family. I’m blessed to have the support of incredible teams in both jobs, without whom I couldn’t do any of it.”

“With the department facing so many challenges, is it fair to split your attention between two high-profile roles?”

The question came from an older reporter from the Reporter, a DC gossip rag.

“Fair to whom? I put forth my full effort in everything I do every day. That’s all any of us can do. That’s it for now. Thanks, everyone.”

They were still shouting questions at her as she walked inside and breathed a sigh of relief. As often as she’d done that, it still never became routine to her, especially with the department dealing with so many controversies all at once. Hopefully, they’d nab Tom Forrester’s killer on Sunday and notch a big win that they badly needed.

If things went bad there…

No, that couldn’t happen.

It just couldn’t.

After his morning security briefing, which had revealed several new areas of pressing concern at home and around the world, Nick waited impatiently for his ten o’clock appointment to arrive. There’d been no news about the search for Juan overnight, other than to note that the FBI and U.S. Marshals had been brought in to aid NCIS in the investigation. Nick had been around these things long enough to know that every hour that passed without word from the young naval officer made it more likely he wouldn’t be found alive.

Nick was heartbroken over that possibility.

Juan had risked everything to warn him about a brewing military coup and had possibly paid for that loyalty with his life.

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