Page 81 of Justice for Samara

“We’ve got to have a safe place for you to stay. I’m going to suggest that you go to Marjorie’s and?”

The minute Marjorie’s name slipped from Carter’s lips, Samara started to shake her head. “Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“I don’t care if she thinks you’re Beelzebub, he wouldn’t know to look for you there.”

“But, sir, you need everybody pulling their weight and this puts me out of commission.”

Carter leaned back in the chair. “Know what puts you out of commission? Death. That will permanently put you out of commission. And I don’t want that happening. So go to Marjorie’s. Maybe she’ll get to know you and it’ll change her opinion of you.”

Samara’s shoulders fell. “I doubt it, sir.”

“Guess we’ll find out. I’ll have Justin take you.”

“I can drive there.”

“No. We think he’s got a tracking tile on your car,” Carter said, his voice stern.

“Yeah,” Samara said in agreement. “I’ve about come to that conclusion too.”

“So I’m going to have the guys go over the vehicles?yours, your cruiser, and both of Michael’s vehicles?and see if we can find them. But I really doubt he managed to slap a tile on all of the cruisers, so Justin can take you.”

“What about my things? Clothes and shampoo and toothpaste and all that stuff?”

“Make a list. Michael can pack it up and bring it here, and we’ll have Chadha or Carlin or somebody take it to you. The more we can mix it up, the safer you’ll be. And Michael?”

“Yes, sir.” He was terrified to hear what Carter was about to say.

“I’ll take care of calling your mother and breaking the news. I think it’ll be better coming from me than from you.”

I’m finally catching a break, Michael thought. “Thank you. I was dreading that conversation.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, and call the insurance company that covered Stadler’s house. Maybe they can tell you where he’s staying, because they should be issuing the checks.”

Michael gave Carter a small nod. “Good thinking, sir. I’ll get right on it. I’m going to call the commissioner too and let him know what’s going on as a courtesy.”

“Yes. Please.” Carter didn’t say another word, just rose and went back to his office.

The sad face Samara was wearing made Michael want to hold her, but he couldn’t, not in the office. “Talk to me, babe. I know you’re unhappy.”

“I feel just like I did at the KSP post when I was given nothing but secretarial duties.”

“No. This isnotthe same. You weren’t in danger there. This is different.”

“Iwasin danger there.”

“Yes, but your superior officer didn’t know that, at least not that we know of. He was just being a dick.”

She sat down in the chair in front of his desk and sighed. “So what now?”

“I think my mother’s place is the safest.”

“Michael?”

“I know, I know, but this is serious. We have to do something. Doing nothing isn’t an option. I think I can safely take you there because I can’t believe he’d track my car. I’ll use one of the other guys’ cruisers and it’ll be fine.”

“Fine. I’ll go, but I don’t like it. Not?” The radio out front squawked and Michael threw up his hand to silence her. “What?”

“Did you hear that transmission?” He was already on the move, and he could hear her right behind him. Anand was out of his chair and heading to his cruiser. “What’s going on?”

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