Page 201 of State of Suspense

At the courthouse, Vernon and Jimmy escorted Sam through the media scrum gathered outside and through security with a minimum of fuss. Having them around was extremely helpful at times like this when she wanted to get in and out without making a scene.

Of course she drew unwanted attention everywhere she went, but the agents were good at creating a path for her through a crowd.

Vernon had told her that other agents were already positioned inside and around the perimeter.

It still struck her as bizarre that she required that kind of security, but whatever it took to stay safe and return home to her loved ones.

Their family had had enough traumatic loss after Skip’s somewhat sudden death in October, followed shortly after by Spencer’s shocking, tragic death while they were at Camp David during the holiday break.

Today, they were there to begin the process of getting justice for him and the others who’d been killed by laced fentanyl, which had been sold on the street to people desperate for relief. In Spencer’s case, he’d injured his back playing football with friends and had been prescribed OxyContin. He’d become reliant upon it, had gone to rehab several times and had resorted to buying it on the street after his doctors cut him off.

Tracy and Mike were outside the courtroom when they arrived.

Sam and Gonzo hugged them.

“What’re we doing here?” Mike asked tearfully.

“I know,” Sam said. “It’s surreal.”

She greeted the family members of the other victims, including Brad Albright, whose young wife had sought relief for a persistent knee injury. Sam introduced Brad to Tracy and Mike.

Brad, who was dressed in a navy suit and matching tie, looked better than he had the last time she saw him on the day his wife died. His blond hair was combed, he’d shaved, and his eyes had lost some of the shock and early devastation. But the sadness was still very present.

“His wife, Mary Alice, was poisoned as well,” Sam told her sister and brother-in-law.

“I’m so sorry,” Tracy said.

“I’m sorry for your loss, too.”

“Do you have children?” Tracy asked.

He nodded. “Two. They’re six and three.”

Tracy shook her head. “So many people hurt.”

Sam bit back a gasp of surprise when Angela walked up to them. As Sam hugged her sister, she was alarmed by how frail she felt in her arms.

“I needed to come.”

“Of course you did.” Sam introduced her to Brad. “He lost his wife, Mary Alice.”

Brad shook hands with Angela. “I wish I could say it was nice to meet you.”

“Same.”

Sam introduced Angela to the other families.

They greeted Angela warmly, which pleased Sam. Angela needed all the support she could get during this difficult time.

Spencer’s brother, Jed, and his parents arrived, hugging Angela, Sam, Tracy and Mike.

They went inside and found seats a few minutes before court would be called to order.

Angela sat between her sisters, holding their hands as Sal Vincent was brought in, wearing an orange jumpsuit. His hands and feet were chained as he sat next to his attorneys.

“Is that him?” Angela’s asked.

“Yes, he’s the main guy.”

---