Page 27 of State of Suspense

“I’ll take a dive into that from home tonight.”

Sam glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost seven thirty. “Go ahead home. Let’s pick this up at zero seven hundred.”

“I’ll be here.”

“Put out a note to our squad, as well as Lucas, Harper and Coheeny, to be here by seven.”

“Will do.”

“Thanks for working on Sunday.”

“No problem.”

“Sure it was, but I appreciate it anyway.”

“It’s good to have you back. Not as much fun without you.”

“Aw, thanks, grasshopper. I missed you, too.”

Carlucci and Dominguez were arriving as she prepared to leave. Sam took the detectives into the conference room to bring them up to speed.

“Archie is working the digital footprint, and here are the texts from Forrester’s personal phone that you can wade through. I want financials on all the key players, including Cox.”

“The AG?” Dominguez asked.

“Yep, as well as Forrester and Bryant.”

“We have Bryant’s financials already,” Carlucci said. “I’ll go through them again.”

“Thanks for coming in.”

“No problem.”

Before she left HQ, Sam texted Avery. Are you guys still up? I could use a couple of min when I get home and would love to see Shelby & baby if this is a good time.

We’re up. Will be for a while. Our little girl is a night owl.

Haha. See you soon.

Sam took the evidence bag containing Forrester’s work phone with her when she headed to her office to get her coat. She would deliver the phone to Avery at home.

Asking the Feds for help was always a last resort, but in situations like this, it was foolish to pretend the FBI didn’t have capabilities that were simply not available to her and her team.

She texted Vernon that she was on her way out and headed for the morgue exit.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsey McNamara was coming out as Sam approached the automatic doors for the morgue. “I sent the autopsy report to your email a few minutes ago. It was a pretty straightforward case of a nine-millimeter bullet to the head. I’ve sent the bullet to the lab for further analysis. The tox screen will take a while longer, but there were no other significant findings.”

“Thanks for the quick work. How’re you feeling?”

“After an earlier burst of energy, I’m dragging. Whatever it is, I can’t seem to shake it.”

“Hate to hear that. Anything I can do?”

“Nah, I’ll be fine.

Sam couldn’t help but notice that her friend was much paler than usual. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will, thanks. It’s good to have you back.”

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