Page 137 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“Let’s go,” Sam said.

It took both her and Freddie to walk Grace into the morgue, where Pam was laid out under the bright lights.

Lindsey had revealed only her face.

“Show her the rest.”

As Grace continued to fight them, Lindsey pulled the sheet down to reveal the dark abrasions on Pamela’s wrists and ankles that indicated a violent struggle to get free of her bindings.

“Take a good look,” Sam said. “Can you imagine that someone kidnapped her, tied her up, gagged her and left her to either freeze to death or asphyxiate in her car over the course of several days? You’d have to be a complete monster to do what was done to her.”

Grace’s entire body vibrated with tremors in the second before she vomited onto the floor.

“Sorry for the mess, Doc,” Sam said.

“No worries.” Lindsey wiped Grace’s face and mouth with a tissue. “It happens.”

“Freddie, will you please take Grace to processing?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, taking her by the arm to lead her out.

“That was intense,” Lindsey said when they were alone.

“I’m ninety-nine percent sure she’s our killer.”

“Oh Lord,” Lindsey said, her green eyes warm with compassion. “She’s so young.”

“I know, but she found out her father was having an affair with the victim, confronted them in a parking lot and threatened to ‘end’ them both if they didn’t stop the affair. He said the affair continued after that.”

“Wow.”

“We just heard that part of the story today after we decided to dig into the kids. I was slow to look in this direction because I couldn’t imagine someone her age doing what was done to Pam. That was my bad.”

“That wouldn’t have been my first thought either. Let me know what you find out. In the meantime, the tox screen came back on Pam, and she had no drugs or alcohol in her system.”

“Thanks for the update. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Are you going to Des Moines?”

Sam nodded. “Friday.”

“God, Sam.”

“I know, but there’s no way I’d let him go alone if I could avoid that.”

“No, of course he can’t go alone.”

“I’m afraid I’ll cry the whole time.”

“If you do, you do. They’ll appreciate your compassion and that you’re human.”

“I hope so.”

Lindsey stood to hug her. “And when you get back, your friends and family will be here to help you and hug you and put you back together.”

“I’m going to need that.”

“We’re here, Sam. Through it all. We’re here.”

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