Page 68 of State of Retribution

“I’ll be back to you shortly.”

“Thanks.”

Sam had no sooner ended that call than the BlackBerry rang with a call from Nick.

“Hey.”

“What happened?”

She tried to imagine him hearing about her being shot at in the middle of his day and how upset he must be.“We’re waiting to hear about Jimmy.He was hit.”

“Oh my God, Sam.”

“I’m okay, and I’m praying he will be, too.”Her voice wobbled ever so slightly, but he heard it.Of course he did.

“Samantha…”

The anguish she heard in that single word made her ache for him.

“I’m so sorry you were scared.I promise I’m perfectly okay, other than being shaken up and desperately worried about Jimmy.His first child is due in June… He has to be okay.”

“I’ll see what I can find out and let you know.”

“That would help.Thank you.”

“Thanks for not getting shot today.”

“I do what I can for my person.”

“I love you more than life itself.”

“I love you more.”

“Not possible.”

“I already won that fight.”Sam brushed away tears that suddenly appeared as the close call came into sharper focus.“Please don’t let this be another battle about what I’m going to be allowed to do until we know more about what happened.”

“I hear you, babe, but I’m sure there’ll be some conversations.”

Those conversations were the last thing Sam wanted to have, but she’d suffer through them to keep doing her job.“It’s been tough out here since Monday.Extra everything slowing me down.”

“I know.I’m sorry.Hopefully, it’s temporary.I’ve got to run to a meeting.I’ll see you soon?”

“I’ll try to be home for dinner.”

“See you then, and stay safe.My whole life depends on you.”

“Likewise.”

She wiped away more tears as she dropped the BlackBerry into her coat pocket.“Pull it together,” she whispered.The last thing she needed was for people at HQ to see that she’d been crying.

Another huge distraction in a long line of them was also the last thing she needed.The approach to HQ was lined with TV news trucks, and as they pulled into the parking lot at HQ, Sam noticed a larger-than-ever gaggle of reporters gathered outside the main doors.

Vernon drove around the building to the morgue entrance.

“Any word, Vernon?”She was almost afraid to ask.

“Just now.The bullet went through his arm, connected with his vest and fractured a rib, which then collapsed a lung.But the vest saved his life.He’s awake and alert but in a lot of pain.He’s expected to survive.”

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