Page 87 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you.”

Sam went to the nurses’ station, showed her badge and asked for Shanice. “I understand this isn’t the best possible time, but we’re investigating a homicide, and we very much need to speak to her.”

“Let me check with her doctor. One minute, please.”

Sam gave the nurse credit for doing her job and not acting the fool at having the first lady turn up at her workplace. Perhaps over time, as people became accustomed to her continuing to do her job the way she always had, there’d be more like her and fewer like the one downstairs.

“What if we can’t talk to her?” Freddie asked quietly so they wouldn’t be overheard.

“We’ll find some of her people and see what they can tell us.”

The nurse returned seven minutes later. Sam knew that because she passed the time by watching the big black-and-white wall clock. “Right this way.”

Sam gave Freddie a pleased look as they followed the nurse to a room with glass walls. Inside the room, the relentless beeping of the machines attached to Shanice rattled Sam’s nerves. She had no idea how medical professionals could stand to listen to that all day long. The beeping would drive her mad.

Shanice watched them with big, frightened brown eyes.

Sam noted that the wound on her neck was covered with thick bandages. She showed Shanice her badge. “I’m Lieutenant Holland. I was there last night.”

Shanice licked dry lips. “I remember.”

“Can you tell us what happened?”

“Eddie… His friends… They came to our apartment and wanted him to go with them.” She took a couple of deep breaths.

“What’s the address of your place?”

Shanice recited the address. Sam realized it was near the house where Clarence Reese had killed his family two years ago in Southeast.

“Let’s request a warrant and get Crime Scene there,” Sam said.

Freddie got busy on his phone, seeing to her orders.

The nurse held a straw to Shanice’s lips so she could take a sip of water.

“He didn’t want to go. They… One of them pulled a gun and pointed it at me. He… he told me to take off my clothes. Eddie, he told them to fuck off and leave me out of it. One of them grabbed me and ripped off my clothes.” Tears rolled down her face. “They made him watch while they took turns with me.” Her chest seized with sobs that made her wince in pain.

“Shh.” The nurse gently wiped away the young woman’s tears. “Take it easy.”

“How many men were there?” Sam asked.

“Five,” Shanice said softly.

“Was a rape kit performed?” Sam asked the nurse as she boiled with rage over what those men had done to this young woman.

“Yes.”

“We’ll need to get that to our lab.” She glanced at Freddie, silently giving him the order to see to that. To Shanice, she said, “Did you know these men?”

“One of them. Kelvin Evans. I didn’t know the others.”

Freddie would text the name to Gonzo.

“Can you describe them? Any distinguishing features would help.”

Shanice gave them descriptions of each of the men, her voice catching repeatedly as she was forced to recall the horror of the attack.

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