Page 5 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“How do you know it came from him?”

“Multiple reliable sources. That’s all I can say, or it’ll come around to bite me in the ass.”

“Any idea why he’d do it?”

“I don’t know him, but one of the people who told me it was him said he’d do it for the attention and to stir the pot.”

“Who’d want that kind of negative attention with everyone pissed at him, not to mention potential legal exposure for violating the NDA?”

“You know that saying about how some people will take any attention, even bad attention? I think that applies here.”

“I’ll never understand people.”

“Right there with you. I’ve also heard that he’s spouted off about your husband’s youth, inexperience and reluctance to be president.”

“Do you know where he lives?”

She provided an address in the swanky Spring Valley neighborhood.

“What does he do for a living?”

“Stockbroker. The wife is a piece of work. None of the other mothers like her.”

“I appreciate this info, Marlene.”

“I think it’s egregious that he leaked those photos. Just about everyone I’ve spoken to agrees. Your husband wasn’t doing anything wrong, and Bryson did it with the sole purpose of causing trouble for him. He may not align with him politically, but he was a guest in the man’s home.”

“It’s good to know others see it the same way we do.”

“Many others do. People are pissed, and the word’s getting out that he was the leaker.”

“Thanks again for letting me know.”

“You got it.”

Sam ended the call and thought about how she wanted to handle the info Marlene had given her. She’d planned to go right to HQ and change out of the uniform that had gotten a little snug since she’d worn it at her dad’s funeral. She needed to quit with the comfort eating.

However, the uniform might come in handy on this mission. Opening her phone, she put through a call to her friend Lieutenant Archelotta, who ran the department’s IT division.

“Hey, Sam. Saw you on TV this morning. The place is buzzing about it.”

“In a good way, I hope.”

“Mostly. People love the grief group and think it’s a great idea. Well, Ramsey doesn’t, but no one listens to him.”

“I wish he’d find someone else to obsess about. But I didn’t call to talk about that jackass. I need a personal favor.”

“Um, okay, but I thought we weren’t doing that anymore?”

Sam laughed at the unexpected comeback from the only fellow officer she’d ever fooled around with when she was between marriages. “Shut up.”

Archie sputtered with laughter. “What can I do for you?”

“I found out who leaked the photos of Nick at the twins’ birthday party, and I could use some proof that they came from his IP address.”

“I’d have to investigate something like that after hours.”

“Understood, and I’d be happy to pay for your time.”

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