Page 133 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“Carisma is due to be released from the hospital tomorrow and will be going home with her mother. They’ve asked to see you, Detective.”

“I… I’ll call LaToya and set it up,” Jeannie said.

“We’re holding a press conference tomorrow at our office and would like to have you there, since this is technically your case, your bust,” Best said.

Jeannie glanced at Sam, who nodded. “You definitely need to be there.”

“Thank you for including me,” Jeannie said.

“We wouldn’t be where we are right now without your fine work, Detective. I’ll send you the details of the press conference as soon as I have them.” Best got up to leave the room. “See you tomorrow.”

“He’s not long on small talk, is he?” Sam asked.

“Never has been,” Malone said. “But the man is good at what he does.”

“What’s his story, anyway?” Sam asked. “I’ve worked with him for years but hardly know him.”

“His younger sister was kidnapped when they were kids. She wasn’t found, but he’s never stopped looking for her. His entire professional life is fueled by his obsession with missing people, especially his sister.”

“Wow,” Sam said, deeply moved. “I don’t know how people can bear to live when their loved ones are missing. I’d go mad.”

“I would, too,” Jeannie said.

“While we have you,” Sam said to Jeannie, “we had an interesting chat with the mayor this morning. Your name came up.”

“How so?” Jeannie asked, brows furrowed.

“First of all, she was impressed—as we all are—with your work on the Deasly case, but she also mentioned a job opening that she thought might interest you.”

Jeannie gave her a wary look. “What opening is that?”

“Deputy chief.”

Sam enjoyed watching Jeannie’s expression go completely flat with shock.

“What?”

“You heard me. She very much wants a woman in the post, and your name came up.”

“What about you?”

“Can you picture me as the deputy chief?” Sam asked with a snort. “I’d be like a cat on a hot tin roof in that job, but I think you’d be great at it.”

“Did she ask you first?”

“She mentioned it, but we all know I’d suck at it.”

“Is this for real?” Jeannie asked, arms crossed.

“As real as it gets,” Malone said.

“And the captains and the other higher-ups would be okay with a detective being promoted over them? Can that even happen?”

“It’s not the norm,” Malone said, “but the mayor’s the boss. She wants a woman, and we’re sadly lacking in women at the captain rank.”

“There’re other female lieutenants.”

“None who have recently brought down a massive human trafficking ring,” Sam said, “or survived a brutal attack that led to other high-profile arrests. She wants you.”

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