Page 143 of State of Alert

“What time are we out of here in the morning?” Vernon asked as he held the door for her.

“Around seven thirty?”

“Is that for the funeral?”

“Shit. Don’t tell anyone I forgot about that.”

“They won’t hear it from us.”

“It’s at nine at the National Cathedral. What time should we leave?”

“Eight thirty should be good.”

That gave her another hour of sleep. “Thanks for everything today, guys.”

“An honor and a privilege,” Vernon said as Jimmy nodded. “See you in the morning.”

Though she waseager to get home to her own family, Sam continued up the stairs to the third floor to check on Shelby, Avery, Noah and baby Maisie. As she went, she texted Freddie, Gonzo and Malone to remind them she’d be in after Tom’s funeral in the morning.

See you there,Malone replied.

She gave a soft knock on the door, hoping she wouldn’t wake a sleeping baby or toddler.

Shelby came to the door, wearing a pink silk bathrobe and a big smile. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail. “This is a nice surprise.”

“Sorry to come by so late.”

“It’s only eight. Noah’s down for the count, but the rest of us are up. Come in.”

“I thought it was later for some reason. I lose track of time during days like this.”

“Was it a long one?”

“I’m just getting home. How are things here?”

“Pretty good. Avery’s recovery is to the point of itching and bitching.”

Sam laughed as she took in her FBI agent friend, holding his little girl with one arm while his other was in a sling, healing from a bullet wound inflicted by Harlan Peckham. He’d set out to avenge his imprisoned parents by killing the law enforcement officers who’d prosecuted their case. He’d succeeded in killing Tom Forrester, but had thankfully only injured Avery.

“Don’t listen to my lovely wife. There’s been no bitching.”

Shelby gave her husband a withering look.

“Okay, maybe a little bitching, but I hate being sidelined.”

“You’ll be back to the rat race before long, so try to enjoy this downtime with your family.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying, too,” Shelby added. “He’s on a forced paternity leave.”

Avery kissed the top of Maisie’s head. “I’m trying to decompress and enjoy the time off, especially since you caught that son of a bitch Peckham.”

“Avery! Language. Not in front of the baby.”

“She’s not even two weeks old, darlin’.”

“She’s already learning.”

“Is that true, Sam?”

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