Page 82 of State of Suspense

“Good plan, babe. I like knowing our friends will be safer there and keeping an eye on the place for the next three years.”

“Seven,” Sam and Scotty said together.

“Three.”

“Poor guy,” Scotty said. “He has no clue.”

“I know, right?”

“I can hear you two.”

“Have you heard anything from Terry?”

“No, and I was just about to text him when you came in.”

“Do that, will you?”

“Yes, dear.” He typed out the text on his phone and then read Terry’s response to her. “‘Nothing specific yet, but Lindsey is resting comfortably and feeling better.’”

“That’s great news.” Sam yawned and then made herself get up to prepare for bed before she fell asleep on the sofa. “Get yourself to bed when the game is over.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I love all this obedience from you guys.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Scotty called after her. “We feel bad for you because you’re injured—again.”

“Haha. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Nick followed her into the bathroom. “Do you need help changing?”

“Is that a come-on?”

That grin of his was too sexy for words. “Not this time.

“I think I’ve got it, but thanks for asking.”

He kissed her. “I’ll be in as soon as the game is over.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Can’t wait.”

After he went back out to Scotty, she changed into pajamas, which was harder than she’d expected it to be with her bandaged wrist and hand, and then brushed her teeth. Once she was settled into bed, she called to check in with Carlucci.

“Hey, LT.”

“How’s it going?”

“Slow and tedious. We’re still reviewing reams of texts and emails. I gotta say, though, I keep coming back to this thing with the neighbor.”

Sam closed her eyes and rested her head against the pillow. “Tell me more.”

“The neighbor, Ralph Sellers, has three Dobermans, one of which got out of his yard and attacked Forrester’s dog, Snowflake, while the daughters were walking her. The incident was traumatic for the kids, who had to fight off the much bigger dog to save theirs. Naomi Forrester, the older of the two girls, said the Doberman had Snowflake in its mouth and was shaking her violently.”

“Jeez, that sounds terrifying.”

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