Page 61 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“I guess.”

“So you’re in love, huh?”

“Like I’ve never been in my entire life. I had no idea, Dan. None at all.”

“That’s amazing. That’s how it should be.”

“Is it weird that I’m a tiny bit thankful to Ezra for losing his mind and forcing me to end that relationship once and for all so I could have this exciting new thing with Cam?”

“Yes, it’s very weird to be thankful for the beating you withstood.”

“I’m not thankful for that. But I am thankful to be free of him and to have the chance to be with Cameron.”

“He’s such a good guy. I’ve always thought so, but seeing the way he’s cared for you these last few weeks has made me love him even more than I already did.”

“I’m glad you do. That means a lot.”

“They caught a new homicide today,” Dani said as they walked to the pit. “A twenty-four-year-old woman raped and murdered in Rock Creek Park.”

“Oh God,” Gigi said, her good mood deflating just that quickly. Working murder did that to you. It reminded you that even when things were going better than they ever had in your own life, other people’s lives were falling apart. And it never became routine, no matter how many years she came into work to news of yet another senseless killing. Her own recent brush with mortality had Gigi’s emotions hovering close to the surface as she walked into the pit for the first time in weeks.

Her colleagues embarrassed her with applause.

“Thanks, everyone.”

“Glad to have you back, Gigi,” Sam said. “You’re looking well.”

“I’m feeling much better.”

“Take it nice and easy until you’re back to a hundred percent.”

“Yes, ma’am.” It never got old reporting to the wonder known as Lieutenant Sam Holland. Gigi loved that the rest of the world would have the chance to find out what an amazing person she was now that she was first lady.

“Let’s get you ladies up to speed.”

Sam and Freddie went over what had been done so far in the Olsen investigation.

“Archie should have the dump on her phone soon, so start there. Go through everything and find out if she was beefing with anyone.” She handed over the phone numbers Wes and his brother had provided to account for their whereabouts during the time of the murder. “Confirm their alibis. And then get with Archie’s team to see where we are in the review of cameras in the park. After that, if you have time left, look into recent reports of any activity in the park.”

“I was just coming to talk to you about that,” SVU Detective Erica Lucas said as she entered the pit, holding papers she handed to Sam. “Report of an unsolved rape we caught in the park two weeks ago.”

Sam eyed the pages before handing them over to Dani. “We’ll want to compare DNA if there is any from Audrey.”

“Will do,” Dani said. “We’ll take it from here.”

“I’ll be in for a few hours in the morning if I can get here in the storm,” Sam said, “but I’m taking my laptop in case I can’t.”

“Got it,” Gigi said. “We’ll be ready to update you by seven.”

“Everyone else, go home and be careful getting back in the morning. We’re hearing this storm is going to be one for the ages.”

“Could I have a minute, LT?” Erica asked.

“Of course. Come in.”

Gigi glanced at Dani. “What do you suppose that’s about?”

“Not sure, but we’ll find out soon enough.”

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