Page 155 of State of Bliss

Gonzo went to Sam’s office, closed the door and called Faith Miller. “This is Gonzo. I’ve got a situation, and we need to act fast. Can you help me?”

“Lay it on me.”

He walked her through the latest developments.

“Are you saying that Tom Forrester,ourTom Forrester, ordered Bryant’s release?”

“Yep, but Tori and her lawyers don’t know that. If we move fast, we can get her to plead to murder for hire and accessory to murder and lock it down before they find out Bryant was released.”

“I’ll want seventeen to twenty years for that.”

“Done.”

“I’ll write it up and get it over to you.”

“Do you need Forrester’s approval?”

“Probably, but I’m not going to ask for it.”

“Thank you, Faith.”

“Be right back to you. Will take me about fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll be watching for it.”

Freddie appeared in the office door. “Bryant was released twenty minutes ago.”

“Son of a bitch.” Gonzo was regretting the cold pizza he’d had for lunch. He got up and headed for the door.

Cruz stepped aside to let him pass so he could retrieve a Tums from his cubicle.

“We’ve got a matter of minutes before this blows up in our faces.”

“What did Faith say?”

“She needed fifteen minutes.” Gonzo’s phone rang. “This is her. Hey, Faith.”

“I copied and pasted from an earlier case. It should be in your email.”

“You’re the best. I owe you one.”

“It seems to me like we owe you one. I’ll see what I can find out about why Forrester ordered Bryant released.”

“Let me know.”

“Will do.”

Gonzo grabbed the plea agreement off the printer and glanced at Cruz. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

While Sam waited for her guests to arrive, she took a walk through the house to make sure everything was ready for them. She’d spent the morning distributing towels and checking sleeping arrangements on the second floor of the house where they were staying as well as a house across the street where Angela and Tracy would stay with their families.

Scotty had texted to say they were on their way and again after they picked up Brayden and Brock in New Carrollton.

Nick had spent much of the day next door dealing with president things. She hoped he’d be back in time to greet the kids when they arrived.

She went downstairs to check the oven, where two huge pans of lasagna she’d made were baking. She’d also made blueberry muffins and chocolate chip cookies. After taking a bite of one of the cookies, she realized she should’ve let the White House bakery provide theirs. Before they moved out of the White House, she was determined to learn the secret to those incredible cookies, as well as the chicken salad.

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