Page 86 of State of Suspense

“Was it something I said?” Sam asked the admin.

“She has a beef with you,” she whispered. The young woman had light brown skin and pretty dark eyes. Her braids were wrapped in a tall bun.

“Whatever for? I’ve never seen her before today.”

“I’ve said too much.”

“Bring me that file when it’s ready. Let’s talk.”

“Um, okay.”

For fuck’s sake, Sam thought as she headed downstairs. “How do I manage to piss off people I’ve never met?”

“What’d you say, Sam?” Freddie asked as he stood in his cubicle.

“Do you know Webster in Animal Control?”

“Not personally.”

“Me either, but apparently, she has a beef with me.”

“What’d you do?”

“It’s probably the fact that I breathe that annoys her.”

“Or maybe it’s because you’re so good at your job, and she wishes she was you.”

“I think the breathing thing is more likely. I want to talk to Forrester’s neighbors. The ones with the dog.”

“Is that why you were tangling with Webster?”

“I wasn’t tangling with her. I asked for a copy of the report on the incident with Forrester’s dog. Apparently, I was out of line.”

Captain Malone came into the pit, looking stressed and aggravated. “The media is going nuts for an update on Forrester.”

“I’ve got dick to tell them.”

“You have to tell them something before they stampede the building. I’ve rarely seen more of them out there.”

“I’ll take care of it. After that, we’re going to see Cox and then to Gaithersburg to talk to Forrester’s neighbor.”

“What’s up with Cox?”

“He asked me to come in.”

“Interesting, no?”

“For sure. I’m worried he might be up to his neck in this, which could cause me some trouble at home.”

“First sign of it crossing that line, I’ll take over anything to do with him. I’d go with you today, but I can’t. I’ve got other fires to put out.”

“Got it.”

“What’s with Forrester’s neighbor?”

“A dispute over dogs.”

Malone gave her a skeptical look.

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