Page 96 of State of Suspense

“I’ve thoroughly corrupted you.”

Vernon and Jimmy laughed.

Freddie scoffed. “Whatever.”

“It’s true! You just produced a plausible justification for me defying a direct order from the captain. That’s impressive.”

“A normal boss would say, ‘Freddie, don’t help me defy the big boss.’ Mine gives me props for helping her to skirt a direct order.”

“You’re damned right she does.”

“On another note, can we stop at the cafeteria while we’re at GW? I’m starving, and they have the best pizza there.”

“Do you think about anything other than food?”

“I think about sex. A lot.”

“Cripes, I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”

Vernon cracked up. “Y’all are funny.”

“I’m funny,” Sam said. “He’s coming along nicely.”

She loved Freddie so, so much. And more than anything, she loved bickering and bantering with him. Her relationship with him was one of her favorite things in life. She was almost certain he felt the same way. Most of the time, anyway.

“So is that a yes to the pizza?”

“We’ll see if we can squeeze it in.”

“Do you guys want food?” Freddie asked the agents.

“Nah, we’re good,” Vernon answered for both of them.

At the hospital, Vernon turned to them. “Give me five minutes to clear a path.”

“I don’t have much more to spare.”

“I’ll be quick.”

“Thank you, Vernon.” After he walked away, she glanced at Freddie. “I’m afraid to look at my watch.”

“Almost ten thirty.”

“Ugh. We’ve got to get in and out, get to Gaithersburg and then to the meeting with Conlon.” It would be tight.

“Since I’m not under Secret Service protection, perhaps I could procure lunch while you wait for Vernon to deliver you to Shelby. To save time, that is.”

She rolled her eyes. “Go ahead.”

“What do you want?”

“I guess I’ll have some of that pizza you raved about because it’s all I can think about since you mentioned it. And a bottle of water.” She pulled out her wallet and handed him her debit card. “My treat.”

“Wow, my lucky day.”

“Don’t push it. Get going and hurry up.”

“I’m hurrying.”

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