Page 127 of State of Alert

“No problem.”

Sam was waiting for Agent Truver to answer her call when Freddie came to the door.

“What was that about?”

“A heartbroken best friend looking for info about his buddy’s murder.”

“Oh my God.”

“My thought exactly.”

Truver’s voice mail picked up.

“This is Sam Holland. Issac Erickson was just here looking for information about his dead roommate. Someone needs to tell him what’s going on. Call me to discuss.” She closed the phone. “I hope I hear from her soon. Isaac needs to be brought into the loop. It’s unfair that they’re doing this to him.”

“Agreed. I figured they would’ve told him by now.”

“I’m ashamed to say I never gave him a thought after we spoke to him the other day.”

“We’ve been a little busy.”

“Still… I should’ve demanded that Truver tell him the truth, too.”

“Not your circus, not your monkeys.”

“What the hell did you just say?”

“You’ve heard that saying before.”

“No, I haven’t. Say it again. Slowly this time.”

First, he rolled his eyes, then he said it again.

“I really like that. How could you sit on a gem like that for all this time?”

“You’re mad at me for not saying that to you sooner?”

“Yes, I believe I am. I count on you to keep me hip and relevant.”

“Where is that in my job description?”

“Under other duties as assigned.”

“What’re you two fighting about?” Gonzo asked when he joined Freddie in the doorway.

“She’s making up new rules as she goes along.”

“It’s called leadership, young grasshopper,” Sam said.

“Except your rules have nothing to do with the job, old owl.”

Gonzo snorted out a laugh.

“That name isnotgoing to be a thing,” Sam said.

“I really like it,” Gonzo said.

“I expect better from you.”