Page 109 of State of Alert

“Thank you. I’ve got some things I can add from my years of working with Tom that’ll personalize it. And I can add in his devotion to Leslie and their girls. I learned a lot about that during the investigation.”

“It’s so sad,” Roni said. “I feel for his wife and daughters.”

“I’m sure their story struck close to home for you.” Her husband, Patrick, a DEA agent, had been murdered by a stray bullet on 12thStreet last October when he’d gone out for lunch. Roni was expecting their baby in June.

“It did for sure, but it was okay. I’m getting used to the grief showing up at the oddest of times. In other news, we’ve beenoverrun with media requests after your takedown of Harlan Peckham went live online.”

“Crap, I never did get to see it before they released it. I hope I don’t look like a water buffalo tackling a rat.”

Both women cackled with laughter.

“You crack me up,” Lilia said. “You looked ferocious. We can show you, if you want to see it.”

“I guess that’d be okay as long as it’s not horrible.”

“Definitely not.” Lilia called the video up on her iPad and turned it so Sam could see herself jumping out of the SUV and tackling Peckham from behind on the sidewalk. “Look at our first lady in action.”

Sam cringed to herself over what people would say about the president’s wife tackling murderers as part of her daily routine. “I had the full advantage because he didn’t see me coming.”

“We’ve had more than a hundred requests for interviews,” Roni said.

Sam curled up her lip. “Isn’t there real news to report?”

“The first lady taking down a U.S. Attorney’s murderer is real news,” Lilia said.

“Politely decline the interview requests. Tell them Lieutenant Holland is already hard at work on another homicide case and doesn’t have time for interviews. Although Nick and I are going to do one together, possibly as soon as tomorrow, about this Joint Chiefs situation.”

“I’m working with Trevor to set that up,” Roni said. “He’s close to nailing down the particulars.”

“I can’t even hear the words ‘Joint Chiefs’ without seeing red,” Lilia said. “Everyone I know feels the same way. It’s such a betrayal.”

“I agree,” Roni said, “and Derek is beside himself over it. He worked closely with Goldstein and the others during the Nelson administration. He’s in shock over their audacity.”

“I’m glad we’re not the only ones feeling the outrage,” Sam said.

“Definitely not,” Lilia said. “From what I hear, much of official Washington is disgusted by the whole sorry situation.”

“As Derek said last night,” Roni added, “nothing makes our enemies happier than to see us fighting amongst ourselves.”

“That’s so true,” Sam said. “But enough about that.” She checked her watch. “I have thirty minutes until I have to meet Vernon and Jimmy for a ride to work. Tell me what’s new in your lives.”

“This guy is already keeping me hopping.” Roni put her hand on her belly, which was much bigger than it had been even a few weeks ago. “He—or she—is very busy.”

“I’ve heard busy is a good thing,” Sam said.

“That’s what they say.”

“And you might’ve casually mentioned what Derek said last night, so does that mean things are moving ahead there, too?”

Roni looked almost pained as she thought about how to answer that. “It’s the strangest thing… that Patrick is gone, and six months later, Derek is here, and he’s become my best friend through the worst year of my life. We’re not romantic, but I’m pretty sure we will be at some point. When I’m ready for that. Unfortunately, he knows all too well what I’m going through, but he always says the right thing at the right time. He’s been such a blessing to me, but still… It’s weird. It’s too soon and right on time. It’s all the things.” She shrugged. “That’s probably more information than you wanted.”

Sam placed her hand on top of Roni’s. “I’m so proud of you for soldiering onward, for finding the support you need to get through this and for thinking about what’s next. I give you tons of credit for surviving the unimaginable.”

“What choice did I have?”

The simple poignancy of Roni’s question brought tears to Sam’s eyes and Lilia’s.

“We love Derek and Maeve so much,” Sam said. “We’re thrilled that you two have found comfort in each other.”

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