Page 147 of State of Denial

“I’ll do whatever needs to be done to protect the chief and the department.”

“I had a feeling you might say that.”

“Keep me in the loop.”

“Will do. Hope the kids feel better.”

“Me, too, and I hope we don’t get it. Whatever it is seems hella contagious.”

“Yikes.”

“I’ll check in tomorrow and will text my squad.”

“See you then.”

On the way home with Vernon and Jimmy, Sam sent a text to her squad, updating them on her sick kids and asking them to call with any updates they might have.

As she waited for Scotty’s detail to arrive at the White House, she took a call from Freddie.

“Hey,” she said. “How’s it going?”

“We’ve just come from seeing Cauley in Greenbelt.” Freddie told her about what the man had said about Blanchet being found with the gun.

“How did he know that?”

“He said he heard it from his wife, who heard it from one of the others attached to the lawsuit. We believed him when he said he never could’ve harmed innocent kids, but that statement about the gun is sticking with us. We’re taking a more in-depth look at him. I’ve got Charles on the financials and social media.”

“What about a warrant for his phone?” Sam asked.

“I’m not sure we’ve got enough for that yet.”

“You won’t need much more. He had motive due to what happened to the wife and the social media post that broadcast his anger to the world.”

“Should we go back and bring him in?”

“That’s your call. You were in the room with him. You have to trust your gut.”

“My gut—and Gonzo’s—is saying no.”

“Then go with it until you know more. But I agree with taking a deeper look at him.”

“We had another thought that there might be more patients out there who aren’t attached to the lawsuit but who had similar experiences with Blanchet.”

“Good point.”

“We’re on the way to his office now to interview the staff, and we’re asking Public Affairs to put out a request for info from patients.”

“You’re doing all the right things.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“I do for sure,” Sam said. “Did you hear there’s a hearing scheduled for the Davies case?”

“I hadn’t gotten that word, but I’m glad to hear it.”

“Me, too, even if I’m worried about the fallout.”

“What would your dad say?” Freddie asked.

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