Page 220 of State of Suspense

The officer’s one-word reply confirmed what she’d heard about the people on Ruiz’s team not liking her any more than Sam did.

“Why do people have to be so extra?” she asked Vernon quietly so she wouldn’t be overheard.

“Is that a rhetorical question?”

“I guess so.”

On the drive toward the church neighborhood, Sam received a text from Detective Charles that she was on her way to Sawyer’s home to meet up before church.

Sam’s entire system went haywire with out-of-control nerves.

This was a terrible idea.

She should call it off before someone was killed. Perhaps more than one person.

What had she been thinking to suggest they use a federal judge to lure a killer? “We shouldn’t do this,” she whispered to Vernon as a feeling of panic overtook her.

“It’s too late to turn back now, Sam. Take a deep breath.”

More than anything, she wanted to go back in time a few days and stop this before it ever got started. Cori should’ve told her no, no way would she be used as bait to catch a murdering scumbag.

Sam tucked trembling hands between her legs while focusing on breathing.

“When I’m out there in the middle of it, I never get nervous like this.”

“Because you can help to control the outcome out there. In here, you’re a bystander.”

“I’m watching people I command and care about put their lives on the line while I’m safely ensconced. That doesn’t feel right to me.”

“It’s how it has to be.”

“Yeah, I know.” That didn’t help her to feel less guilty about asking her team to take risks that she couldn’t take right along with them.

Sam’s earpiece crackled to life. “Sawyer and Charles leaving for church with Sawyer driving her Lincoln Navigator.”

“Here we go.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The mission went off flawlessly, with every member of the team playing their role with perfection. From the time Cori and Neveah arrived at church, through the service, to the aftermath outside, where they’d hoped Peckham would make his appearance, every detail went off as planned.

Except for the fact that Harlan Peckham never showed up.

While Sam was thrilled that everyone was safe, she was crushed that the plan hadn’t worked as she’d hoped.

With Sawyer and Charles safely back at the Sawyer home, Sam and Vernon got out of the Emergency Response vehicle and into the SUV driven by Quigley for the return to HQ.

As Sam stared out the window, watching the city go by, she was filled with despair. All that time and effort expended for nothing.

What now?

There were so many other opportunities for Peckham to take out Judge Sawyer in the course of an average week, but nothing as easy as this would’ve been. She’d been ripe for the picking, so why hadn’t he come?

Sam had been so certain he would.

They were stopped at a red light when a figure on the street caught her attention. From behind, the man’s build matched the photos she’d seen of Peckham as he walked briskly in the opposite direction of the church.

Then she noticed the braid down his back and realized it was him.

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