Page 112 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

He turned back to her.

“Even if the worst possible thing happens, which it won’t, we know who killed Arnold.”

Nodding, he said, “Yeah.”

“Keep the faith.”

“Trying to.”

Vernon pulled the SUV up to the federal courthouse fifteen minutes later.

Gonzo got out and then gave Sam a hand.

“Thanks.”

They walked up the ramp and into a media scrum in the lobby. Reporters started calling Sam’s name the second they stepped inside.

Vernon and Jimmy ran interference, delivering them to the courtroom they needed with minimal fuss.

“Sometimes having Secret Service protection doesn’t suck,” Sam said to Gonzo.

“True that.”

Arnold’s parents, sisters and girlfriend greeted Sam and Gonzo with tearful hugs.

“Thank you for being here,” his mother said. “Your support means everything to us.”

“We wouldn’t be anywhere else right now,” Sam said, hugging the other woman.

The courtroom was soon called to order, the jury filed in, the verdict given to the bailiff and to the judge. The defendant was ordered to rise, and the judge ran through the motions of reading the verdict and then asking the jury forewoman how they’d found the matter.

“Guilty, Your Honor.”

The same verdict was recorded on three additional charges as the Arnolds wept silently.

Thank God, Sam thought as she squeezed Gonzo’s hand.

The jurors were thanked for their service and dismissed, sentencing was set for March 23rd, and the guilty man was led away in leg chains. When the judge pounded the gavel to signify the end of the proceedings, Sam turned to hug her friend.

“You did it. You got him.”

Gonzo nodded as tears slid down his face. “Yeah. We got him.”

The Arnolds hugged them both and thanked them for the tireless pursuit of justice on behalf of their son and brother.

“We’ll see you for the anniversary?” Sam asked.

“We’ll be there,” Mr. Arnold said. “We’re excited to visit the White House.”

“We’re looking forward to it.” They’d decided to have it there so that Nick could attend without a big hassle, and when they’d offered the idea to the Arnold family, they’d been thrilled. One of the best aspects of their new situation was sharing the White House with the people in their lives.

Sam and Gonzo followed them out and stood by their side when they gave a statement thanking the U.S. Attorneys who’d prosecuted the case and their son’s colleagues in the Metro PD, especially his beloved partner, Sergeant Tommy Gonzales, Lieutenant Sam Holland, former Detective Will Tyrone and the other Homicide detectives, who’d seen them through their darkest hours.

“We have to believe our son is looking down on all of us,” John Arnold said, “and is proud of the battle we fought for justice. This conviction doesn’t bring back our son…” His voice caught, and he took a second to collect himself. “But there’s comfort in knowing that no one else’s son or daughter will be killed by this vile career criminal.”

They stood by while U.S. Attorney Tom Forrester praised the team of prosecutors who’d worked tirelessly to convict Sid Androzzi. “The murder of Detective Arnold was one of the most brazen and senseless killings I’ve seen in my career, and it gives me and my team tremendous satisfaction to see the man responsible for ending the life of this promising young man convicted on charges that’ll ensure he never again sees the light of day outside of prison.”

Sam couldn’t seem to stem the swell of emotion that overtook her, listening to the Arnolds and Tom. She was taken right back to the terrible first hours after learning Arnold had been killed and the nightmare that had unfolded for Gonzo in the ensuing months. Justice for the victim could be a hollow win for their loved ones, because it didn’t bring back the person they’d lost. Hollow was a good word to describe how she felt now that Arnold’s killer had been convicted.

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