Page 30 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“Will do. Is he pissed?”

“He understood you were already into it and couldn’t let it go when you were on to something. He said to tell you that you did good work, he’s not going to fire either of us, but as usual, we’re skating on the thinnest of ice.”

“Where we do our best work.”

Sam laughed. “Indeed. I’ll wait to hear from you.”

“Thanks for the support.”

“You got it.” Sam slapped her phone closed. “And with that, I’m back on vacation.”

“P.S., you suck at being on vacation.”

“I know! I’m sorry. It just doesn’t come naturally to me.”

“No kidding, really?”

“Your sarcasm is noted and appreciated.”

Nick put his arm around her as they walked along a trail that seemed to go on forever. “Look up, see the sky, smell the scent of evergreen, let it all go. Work is in good hands with Gonzo, Jeannie and the others. And you’re in good hands with me.”

“I love being here with you and the kids. You know that, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“You guys are my favorite place in the whole world, no matter where we are. It’s just that I feel ‘off’ if I’m not also smack in the middle of a case that requires every ounce of my focus and attention to bring it to a successful resolution. It’s like I’m lost without that rush.”

“You might need a twelve-step program to address this issue.”

She elbowed him. “Stop. I’m being serious.”

“So am I. You’re a thrill junkie, Samantha. You have no off switch when it comes to your work.”

“I really don’t. I need it like you need fresh air and a view of the sky. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it. I’d be like a balloon when you let the air out of it, flailing all about.”

“I hope you know how proud I am, how proud we all are, of the work you do and how hard you fight for justice for your victims and their families. And now there’s the grief group, too. You’re making a big difference, Samantha.”

“Thank you for the kind words, but it’s a team effort, and I have the best team ever. I just wish we could do even more than we already do. There’s so much to be done and only so many hours in the day.”

“You’re doing more than enough.”

“This stuff with Calvin Worthington and Carisma Deasly makes me wonder what else there is, you know? What’s been overlooked, causing families to suffer needlessly for years?”

“You can’t save everyone, babe.”

“And I know that. I really do, but we can sure as hell try, can’t we?”

“Nothing has fallen through the cracks on your watch over the last two years.”

“No, but there was stuff from Stahl’s watch that should’ve gotten more attention. That eats at me now that I know he ignored cases. How could anyone live with themselves after doing that?”

“Don’t forget he’s the same person who tried to kill you—twice.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Speaking of people who hate me, the union is fighting Ramsey’s firing.”

“On what grounds?”

“That his fingerprints could’ve been left in my office during the regular course of business.”

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