Page 149 of State of Alert

“We got invited to a dinner party at my new friend Cori’s—aka federal Judge Corrinne Sawyer. She promised a friendly crowd who’ll be thrilled to meet us.”

“You made a new friend and want to go to a dinner party with strangers? Are you feeling all right?”

“Haha. I saved her life by capturing Harlan Peckham before he could try to kill her, too, so she’s feeling grateful. But I like her. She’s cool.”

“Wow, does she know how rare it is that you actually like someone?”

“It’s been pointed out to me that I’m liking a lot more people lately. I may be mellowing.”

“Don’t you dare do that. I like you nice and feral.”

Smiling, she said, “Speaking of dinner parties, I’m starving. Did you eat?”

“Ah, yeah, hours ago.”

“I totally forgot about dinner.”

“What do you feel like?”

“Maybe a turkey sandwich and some chips?”

“I’ll place the order.”

“We’re getting so ridiculously spoiled here.”

“It’s temporary, and besides, we may as well enjoy a few perks to go with the massive downside.”

Sometimes she could forget, for a second or two, that he was the freaking president of the United States. Her husband. The president. Like…what?It was still surreal all these months later, as were the room service, the butlers, the ushers, the deluxe accommodations and the other trappings of White House life.

The downside, though, lurked on the edges, always waiting to remind them that the whole world was watching their every move.

Nick returned to the bathroom, where she hadn’t moved from where he’d left her, standing at the vanity, staring into space.

“They said they’ll be up in a few minutes.”

“Thanks. Now tell me what we’re gonna do about Juan.”

“After the funeral tomorrow, we’ll do that interview before I leave for the West Coast. We’ll say you were told Juan was alive and asked by NCIS to conduct the investigation the way you normally would. We’ll add that you were told it was a national security matter and that you could be most helpful by working the case and reporting any new information you uncovered.”

Sam leaned back against the vanity and crossed her arms over the towel. “Doesn’t that throw NCIS under the bus?”

“I’ll speak to Secretary Jennings first thing and let him know that we plan to go public with what took place.”

“What if he asks you not to?”

“He works for me, not the other way around.”

Sam smiled and fanned her face. “Power is sexy on you.”

He scowled. “I’m being serious.”

“So am I. But back to business… What if NCIS feels that us going public with this would jeopardize their case against Goldstein?”

“How could it? Juan had nothing to do with the coup attempt that Goldstein orchestrated. Whatever involvement Goldstein had in plotting Juan’s demise would be separate from the treason case.”

Sam considered that. “I guess that’s true. Okay, talk to Jennings first thing and set up the interview for after the funeral. I’ll see Joe at the funeral and will give him a heads-up that this might get ugly.”

“I’ll text Trevor now to make it happen right after the funeral. We’ll come back here for that, and then I’ll head to Andrews.”

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