Page 69 of State of Alert

As she wondered how he’d managed to put the posts on the screen, Sam zeroed in on the content of the posts.

“Go back to the one before.”

Cam clicked backward.

“Look at the comment from Zeke Bellamy, Zoe’s boyfriend.” It said,Hang tough, babe. You haven’t done anything wrong.Acting on a hunch, she said, “Let’s pick him up. I want to have a chat with him.”

“We’ll go,” Cam said, including Matt.

Sam handed him the piece of paper with the kid’s address that Zoe had given her earlier. “Thank you.” After they left the room, she said, “Let’s take a deep dive into Zeke and see who we’re dealing with there.”

“On it,” Gonzo said as he led the others out of the room.

“Cruz,” Sam said. “A minute, please?”

Freddie turned back.

“Close the door.”

He did as she asked.

“Say what’s on your mind.”

He gave Sam a look full of hurt and betrayal. “I can’t believe you lied about this. I really can’t.”

“I understand. I was very confused when I returned from my initial meeting with NCIS. Before I’d had time to fully process it, I was expected to step into the investigation. I did what I thought was right at the time, but I was wrong to lie to you and the others. I wish I hadn’t done that.”

“I admit they put you in a bad spot, but after everything we’ve been through, it’s shocking to me that you would lie to me, of all people. Don’t you know that I’d protect you with everything I have, right up to my life, if it came to that?”

Moved by the starting of tears in his warm brown eyes, she got up and went to him. “I do know that, and P.S., don’t youdareever endanger your life for me, since I wouldn’t want to go on without you.”

“Likewise.”

She stepped closer to him, put her hand flat on his chest. “I’m not sure when you became my best friend, but I hope you know that you are, and I’m very sorry I didn’t tell you the truth about this from the get-go. I should have. National security or not, I trust you with everything. More than anything, I hate that I hurt you. I won’t let that happen again.”

He hugged her.

She hugged him back. “Let’s get to work.”

“Sam.”

“Yes?”

“You’re my very best friend, too.”

“I know. And I didn’t bait that kid into acting guilty.”

He grinned. “Yes, you did.”

Sam followed him out of the room. “Didn’t.”

“Did.”

“Children, are you fighting?” Captain Malone asked when he entered the pit.

“We’redebating,” Sam said with a smile for Freddie, relieved to have cleared the air with him. “What’s up?”

“I come bearing warrants for the Myerson family electronics. Gonzales asked me to request one for the boyfriend, Zeke Bellamy, too.”

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