Page 14 of State of Alert

Sam stepped into her office, where a cool blonde with a chin-length bob and a don’t-fuck-with-me expression awaited her. Sam usually appreciated that quality in other female law enforcement officers. She hoped this one would be one to admire and not revile. “Hi there, I’m Lieutenant Sam Holland.”

The other woman stood to shake her hand. “Carleen Truver, special agent-in-charge, NCIS.”

Sam appreciated that there was no first lady fawning or none of the other nonsense that had become routine since Nick became president. Truver had earned hard-to-come-by points with Sam right out of the gate.

Sam went around the desk to sit. “Sorry to keep you waiting. As you can imagine, Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez’s murder has struck close to home for my husband and me.”

“I understand. I need you to come with me.”

For a second, Sam was too stunned to respond. Most peopledidn’t give her orders. She gavethemorders. She tipped her head. “To where?”

“I can’t disclose that. It’s vital that you accompany me immediately.”

“I have a Secret Service detail. I can’t go anywhere without them.”

“Then I’ll go with you. Either way, we need to leave right away.”

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to give me more information before I go anywhere.”

“I’m unable to do that.” She stared at Sam with sharp blue eyes and never blinked or wavered. “I’m here to help you get answers for Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez’s family and friends. In order to do that, I need you to come with me.”

“Could I see some identification?”

Truver produced a badge that she handed across the desk.

Sam studied it carefully and determined it to be legit. She returned it to the other woman.

“This is highly unusual.”

“I understand.”

“What am I supposed to tell my team?”

“That you’re going into the field with me.”

“They’ll want to know why.”

Her left eyebrow rose ever so slightly. “They question your authority?”

“No, we work collaboratively, so they’ll wonder why I’m leaving right when we’ve begun a new investigation.”

“You’re leaving for that investigation.” Truver checked her watch. “We need to get going.”

“Can you tell me where we’re going?”

“Once we’re on the way.”

Everything about this was bizarre, but Sam’s innate sense of curiosity won out. She stood, grabbed her coat and radio and went to the pit to tell Freddie she’d be back in a bit.

“Where’re you going?”

“Into the field with Agent Truver.”

Freddie eyed the agent, who’d followed Sam out of the office, suspiciously.

“I’ll check in shortly.”

“Please do.”

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