Page 99 of State of Suspense

The doctor returned a few minutes later with a plastic bag containing the bullet.

“Can you give me your email address? I’ll need you to sign the evidence form indicating everyone who had the bullet in their custody.” Sam wrote down the address he recited. “Thank you very much.”

“No problem. A nurse will find you when he’s ready for visitors, Mrs. Hill.”

“Thank you again for saving him.”

“He got very lucky.”

“I’ll check in later.” Sam hugged Shelby again. “Hang in there.”

“I will. Thank you for coming by on such a busy day.”

“I needed to see you and to hear he’s okay.”

Freddie came into the waiting room, carrying two small pizza boxes. “That took forever. How is he?”

“All good. Out of surgery and on his way to a full recovery. Let’s get going.”

He gave Shelby a one-armed hug. “Glad to hear the good news. Elin said to tell you she’s thinking of you guys and congrats on the baby.”

“Thank you. Tell her I appreciate it.”

Sam took Freddie by the arm to steer him out of the room. “I’ve got the bullet. Tell Lucas we’ll deliver it to the lab. She’s working on Avery’s shooting.”

“I’ll text her from the car.”

They ate the pizza while Vernon drove them to Gaithersburg.

Sam had to admit the pizza was exceptional for hospital fare. She tried not to think about the extra calories or whether she’d look bloated in her dress later. “I can’t believe we have to go to a freaking state dinner tonight.”

“Elin has never been more excited. She took the day off to get ready.”

“I’ll look like dog shit next to her.”

“Stop,” he said, laughing. “You will not.”

“I didn’t take the day off to get ready the way I should have.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“What if I’m not? What if I screw this up somehow for him? What if?—?”

“Sam, stop. You’ll be great. I have no doubt.”

“Nor do we,” Vernon said.

“I’m glad you guys are confident. This is where I feel comfortable. Out here, tracking down murderers, pissing off the AG, pulling threads. I know who I am here. That’s not the case as first lady. I don’t know who I am in that role.”

“You’re Nick’s wife,” Freddie said, “and that’s all he needs you to be. If you’re there for him when he needs you, then you’re a success as first lady in the opinion of the only person who matters.”

Vernon met her gaze in the mirror. “I agree with Detective Cruz.”

“Thank you for that. I appreciate the reminder.”

“Nick wouldn’t want you freaking out about this, would he?”

“It would annoy him if he heard me saying I’m worried about messing up.”

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