Page 77 of State of Bliss

“Love you, too. Have fun tonight.”

“We will,” Nick said. “Love you.”

“What a kid,” Sam said after he’d disconnected the call.

“He’s the best of the best. How’d we get so lucky? What he said about the twins and Candace was brilliant.”

“It sure was. He’s very insightful. He pays attention to what goes on around him, unlike most kids his age who are oblivious.”

“I’m sure that’s because of what he went through after he lost his mom and grandfather.”

“I wish I’d found him sooner,” Nick said, “and spared him from that.”

“I do, too, but his past has made him who he is, and we love who he is.”

“We sure do.”

Sam’s phone rang with a call from Freddie. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Sorry to bother you on vacation. I thought you’d want to know that Haggerty and his team have uncovered bones in Stahl’s backyard. They’re bringing in a special forensics team to process the yard and basement.”

Sam sat on the bed as all the air left her body in one whoosh. “I was so hoping it wasn’t true.”

“Me, too.”

“What do we know about the informant who passed the tip to Malone? How did he or she know about this?”

“We’re looking into him. Malone wants to be careful not to burn a bridge there, but if he’s known about this all along and didn’t tell us, that’s a problem.”

“Yes, it sure is. What’s being done about the media?”

“They have a statement ready to go out soon. In the meantime, the brass is keeping a tight lid on it.”

“It’ll be thermonuclear when it gets out.” Sam wondered how many more hits Joe Farnsworth could absorb before the mayor or city council called for new leadership at the MPD. She couldn’t even think about him leaving without wanting to wail. He was an amazing leader and supportive boss, not to mention he was her beloved uncle Joe.

“People are worried. It’s a lot on top of a lot.”

“Isn’t it always?”

“That’s what has them worried. The constant chaos from within the ranks. It’s not a good look.”

“No, it isn’t, but don’t forget that’s not the only thing happening. There’s a lot of good, too. Nick reminded me of the letter we got from Graciela, thanking us for the quick resolution of the Blanchet family’s case. She said that while nothing can bring them back, it provides a measure of comfort to know that the people who took them from her will be punished. We have to stay focused on the wins as the chaos swirls around us.”

“You’re right, and so is Nick, but this is just…”

“It’s devastating.”

“Yeah, for sure. Anyway, I thought you’d want to know the latest.”

“I do, and I appreciate you calling. Hang in there, okay? At times like this, my dad used to say, ‘This, too, shall pass.’ As bad as something is right now, it won’t always be this bad.”

“That’s true, and I know it. It’s just hard to fathom how this level of evil worked right next to us.”

“If you need to see Dr. Trulo, Freddie, do it. There’s no shame in asking for help. This is a lot to process.”

“I know. I’m thinking about it.”

“Remember this, too. People like you and me will never understand what motivates someone like him or Ramsey. So don’t go crazy trying to understand. You never will.”

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