Page 87 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“He’s at 920 K Street. Check me out. I successfully found something on a smart phone all by myself.”

“You hardly did that by yourself.”

“Who punched all the buttons?”

“You did,” he said with a long-suffering sigh.

“I rest my case.”

“Speaking of cases, why aren’t they waiting until after Christmas to start Androzzi’s trial?”

“A good question. I guess the judge wanted to get as much in as he could before the holidays because he’s got another big trial right after this one.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready to relive Arnold’s murder.”

“I know. Me either. The first time was more than enough.”

“Imagine his poor parents, sister, girlfriend. And Gonzo… Ugh, we just got him back.”

“We’ll all be there to support him and get him through it,” Sam said, but she was worried, too. Gonzo had done several months in rehab to combat the pain pill addiction he’d developed in the throes of grief and was doing so much better. The thought of all that hard work and progress being undone by the trial was unbearable. They couldn’t let that happen.

Parking at GW was always a competitive sport, but they got lucky with a space on the street a few blocks from the doctor’s office.

“Remind me to come here late in the day more often,” Sam said.

“I’ll see if I can help to time your injuries accordingly.”

“You’re very saucy today, young Freddie.”

“Just keeping it real, Lieutenant.”

He’d never know how much that meant to her, especially since her entire life had imploded on Thanksgiving with the phone call from the White House that had changed everything. Keeping it real with him was essential to her sanity in the new normal.

As they hoofed it to the medical office building, Sam took a call from Andy. “What’s up, Counselor?”

“Just wanted you to know your guy Thorn has been served with a big fat lawsuit.”

“Excellent. Thanks for letting me know. You made it hurt, right?”

“Big-time.”

“Thank you so much, Andy.”

“Pleasure to help you and your husband.”

“Anything new with the custody case?”

“Waiting to hear if we can get a hearing next week before the holidays. I’m holding out hope that the involvement of the president and first lady will help to move things along.”

“If it helps to get this taken care of, I’m all for being married to the president.”

Andy laughed. “I’ll keep you posted.”

“Thanks again.”

Sam slapped her phone closed and updated Freddie as they stepped inside the office building.

“I’m really glad you’re sticking it to that guy Thorn. He totally deserves it.”

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