Page 111 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“Still, you know about Peter and Archie… I know very little about yours.”

“Does it matter so much?”

“Not really, but it’s this weird blank space for me. I’m not a fool. I know there were others before me.”

“There were a few, but none who mattered to me the way you do.”

Sam had no idea why she was picking at this when she had no reason to worry about who he might’ve cared about in the past. “It’s fine. I just wonder sometimes, that’s all.”

“You don’t need to wonder about anything or anyone.” He turned on his side to face her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sometimes I feel like the first part of my life officially ended and the rest of it began two years ago this week when I found John dead and you came strolling into his apartment to work the case. Everything before that is like a black-and-white blur. Everything after that is in vivid color.”

“You ought to go into politics. You’ve got a way with words.”

Smiling, he said, “Only when I’m talking about the love of my life, who brought the color and the fun and the love and the family I yearned for. She’s the secret to everything.”

“Who is she, and how do I have her killed?”

His laughter rocked his entire body. “You’re the only one, and you know it. Now stop being silly and kiss me.”

She was about to do just that when her phone rang, making her moan. “That’d better not be Dispatch.”

Nick reached over her to grab the phone off the table and handed it to her. “I’m afraid it is.”

Chapter Twenty

Sam took the phone from him. “Mother-effer. I’ve already got one ridiculous case that refuses to be solved with vacation looming.” She opened the phone to accept the call. “Holland.”

“Lieutenant, we have a report of a homicide in Spring Valley.” The dispatcher gave her an address that sent a tingle down her spine. It was a coincidence that she’d been there the day before. She hoped that was all it was… a big fat coincidence. “I’ll be there shortly. Please contact Detective Carlucci and Sergeant Gonzales as well.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Sam ended the call and then made another to the number she’d been given to request a Secret Service detail after hours. “I have to leave for work,” she said to the agent on duty.

“We’ll have a detail meet you outside momentarily, ma’am.”

“Tell them they have ten minutes.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you.”

“You have no idea how much I appreciate you making that call, babe,” Nick said after she’d closed the phone with a satisfying slap.

“I’m trying to make it part of my routine.”

“Thank you.”

She shrugged. “If it gives you peace of mind, it’s a small price to pay. I have to admit I barely notice them during the day.”

“I’m glad it’s working out okay.”

“So, um, the murder happened at the Thorn home.”

Nick’s eyes went wide. “As in the guy who released the images from the party?”

“One and the same.”

“Oh shit.”

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