Page 145 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“That works.”

“Um, shall I meet you at the White House, then?”

Sam smiled at how he could barely contain his excitement as he said those words. “Since that’s where I live these days, I guess so.”

“Oh my God, my mother and grandmother are going to die!”

“Why don’t you bring them with you?” If there was one great thing about living in the people’s house, it was the ability to share it with her people.

“Stop it.”

“Why not?”

“Are you serious?”

“Very serious. Text me legal names, dates of birth and addresses for all of you, and I’ll leave word with the Secret Service to let you in.”

“Sam… I mean, Mrs. Cappuano—”

“Please call me Sam, Marcus.”

“You’ll never know what this means to me—or to them. That I’m dressing the first lady of the United States. You honor me beyond all measure.”

“I love your clothes, and I hope we can work closely together to keep me looking good over the next few years.”

“Whatever you need, whenever you need it.”

“Since you offered, what’ve you got in black that I might wear to Des Moines?”

“I’ll courier over a few options right away.”

“I’ll let them know to expect the package from you.”

“Should I include shoes?”

“Do you know me at all, Marcus?”

His laughter came ringing through the phone. “I’ll fix you right up.”

“Thank you, my friend.”

“No, thank you. I hope you know that you’ll be making my career with this.”

He sounded like he was on the verge of tears. “I’m very happy to have the chance to work with you. I’ll see you—and your mom and grandmother—very soon.”

“I’m going to call them right now. They’re going to lose their minds!”

Sam hung up with him, delighted by his excitement. She had to admit there were some positives to being the first lady. Inviting people to the White House was definitely one of them.

Freddie came to the door. “Dr. McNamara was able to determine that Grace’s prints are a match for the ones she found on Pam during the autopsy.”

“Is Grace’s attorney here yet?”

“She arrived a few minutes ago and is waiting in the lobby.”

“Excellent. I don’t want to jinx us, but how nice would it be to wrap up two cases in the same day?”

“It would be very nice, and I can’t believe you said that out loud.”

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