Page 129 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“I have some follow-up questions I need to ask you.”

“Why can’t you do that here?”

“Because this will be a formal interview of a person of interest in the murder of Bryson Thorn.”

It took a second for his meaning to register with her, and then her eyes flashed with unmistakable rage. “I hope for your sake you aren’t saying I had something to do with it.”

“I’m saying you need to come with me for a formal interview to discuss the evidence we’ve uncovered thus far. If you come with me without making a scene, I won’t cuff you until we’re in the car.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He grasped her arm and had her cuffed before she could begin to gauge his intentions. “Then I guess we have to do this the hard way. Tiffany Thorn, you’re under arrest for suspicion of murder by hire in the death of your husband, Bryson Thorn.” Gonzo recited the rest of the Miranda warning as she fought him like a caged tiger trying to break loose. After Gonzo made sure Tiffany’s shocked mother was there to care for the young boy, it took him, Cameron and McDaniels to get her out of the house and down the sidewalk to Gonzo’s car.

Tiffany screamed the whole way about police harassment, that she’d have their badges, their careers, their boss’s career and every dime they’d ever made in their entire lives.

“I want a fucking lawyer! Look at how they’re treating someone who lost her husband yesterday!” People on the street stopped what they were doing to watch in stunned amazement at the way she was carrying on. She screamed that the only reason they were doing this was because she’d accused their boss, the first lady, and her husband, the president, of murdering her husband.

Gonzo slammed the door in her face, cutting off her diatribe. “That was fun.”

“Most fun I’ve had all week,” McDaniels said. “Good luck with the ride to HQ.”

“We’ll ignore her,” Green said. “We’re good at that.”

“Keep an eye on the mother and son,” Gonzo said to McDaniels, “just in case we’re wrong about the wife. But I don’t think we are.”

“Will do, Sarge. And if I might say, we’re all behind you with the trial coming.”

Gonzo shook the younger man’s hand. “Thanks. Means a lot.” He got into the car and closed the window to the back seat to mute the bullshit coming from Tiffany. “Some days are definitely more fun than others on this job,” he said as he pulled into traffic to head for HQ.

“No kidding,” Cameron said.

“Can’t help but notice you’re not your usual pressed-and-polished, put-the-rest-of-us-to-shame self today.”

Cameron grunted out a laugh. “Had a rough night. My ex slashed my tires.”

Gonzo looked over at him. “Seriously? Did we pick her up?”

“Yeah, she’s in the can awaiting arraignment. Sam gave her a talking-to this morning that should alleviate any further trouble from her.”

“What brought this on?”

“I guess she’s been following me and found out I’m sort of seeing someone else.”

“Who?”

“Um, Gigi.”

“Our Gigi?”

“Yeah.”

“Holy crap. Didn’t see that coming.”

“I didn’t either until her ex tuned her up, and I wanted to commit murder for the first time in my life. The LT was the one who sort of brought it into focus for me.”

“Huh, well… That’s great, Cam. I’m happy for you guys.”

“We’re happy for us, too, except for the two exes who aren’t going quietly.”

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