Page 146 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

He did some poking around on his phone and then glanced at her. “Wish I could.”

“Son of a bitch.”

“Son of an asshole, you mean.”

“Why, young Freddie, you said a swear!”

“In this case, it’s warranted. What’s the plan?”

Sam pulled out her phone and put through a call to Malone. “This is above my pay grade,” she said as he picked up the call.

“What is?” Malone asked.

“The fact that my investigation has led me to Ramsey’s son Shane.”

“Stop it. Are you for real right now?”

“Real as it gets.”

“Fill me in.”

Sam told him what they’d learned from Ling Woo’s roommates.

“And we’re sure the guy’s name is Shane Ramsey?”

“We’re sure. They mentioned he lives with his parents in Columbia Heights. Is that where Ramsey lives?”

“Hang on.”

Sam heard him doing some clicking around on his computer. “Yes,” he said with a sigh.

“How do we play this?”

“I don’t want you anywhere near Ramsey’s house or his kid. Come back in, and we’ll figure out next steps. And P.S., what’re you even doing in the field?”

“Detective Cruz needed some assistance.”

Freddie glared at her.

She shrugged and smiled. “We’ll be back shortly.” After she flipped the phone closed, she stared out the window, thinking about how they should play this unlikely turn in the investigation.

“Thanks for tossing me under the bus.”

“That’s my favorite place to toss you.”

“Believe me, I know. As annoying as you are, it’s nice to be getting back to normal around here.”

“Agreed. Being sidelined doesn’t look good on me. Neither does physical therapy, which is now right up there with flying, needles and ice as my least favorite things.”

“But they got you back on your feet.”

“In the most painful way possible.”

Vernon dropped them at the morgue entrance.

“Thanks for the assist today,” Sam said to him and Jimmy.

“Glad to help.”

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