Page 54 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“I mean I talk to my sisters, and I have friends, but I don’t tell them things that Nick doesn’t know. Does Elin?”

“She has a lot of close friends, but I don’t think she has secrets from me.”

“I suppose it’s not possible to ever fully know everything about someone. Even in the closest of relationships, people still hold parts of themselves back.”

“I don’t,” Freddie said. “There’s nothing about me that Elin doesn’t know.”

“Nothing at all?”

“Nope. I tell her everything. Except for things at work that I’m not allowed to tell anyone. What about you? Do you tell Nick everything?”

“Just about everything. I can’t think of anything he doesn’t know off the top of my head,” Sam said. “The first two friends on the list are in Brentwood, so let’s start there.”

“I’m going to need food soon.”

“It’s only ten.”

“The perfect time for first lunch.”

“After we talk to the friends.”

“Ugh, you’re killing me.”

“Nah, your diet is going to kill you long before I do.”

While they worked their way through downtown traffic on the way to Brentwood, Sam took a call from Nick on the BlackBerry.

“Hey,” she said, “what’s up?”

“We’re looking at Friday for the trip to Des Moines, but I wanted to make sure you can do it before I commit to the date.”

“That’s kind of soon after it happened, isn’t it?”

“The thought is to get there before Christmas, and that’s the only day I can do it. We’ve been assured by local authorities that they’ve consulted with the families, and we’re welcome to come.”

“Ah, okay. I’ll need to clear it with Malone, since we’re in the middle of a case. Can I let you know?”

“Sure, but as soon as you can. As you can imagine, the logistics are daunting.”

“I’ll call him right now.”

“Thanks, babe.”

“What’s the latest from Des Moines?”

“Nothing new since last night. Just a bunch of families waking up to a whole new reality this morning. And some pretty significant pushback on my statement from yesterday about sensible gun control, but that’s to be expected. It’s a hot-button issue.”

“Stay strong. What you said makes sense. You’re not looking to take guns away from responsible owners. You’re looking to get them out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them for whatever reason.”

“Exactly.”

“You might be in the best possible position to get something done on this issue, with no political fucks to give.”

“That’s what Terry said, too. I’ve got a meeting with Gretchen Henderson in ten minutes.”

“Why are you seeing her again?”

“The party wants me to pick her for VP.”

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