Best they can tell, it happened less than two hours after she left the White House.She took an Uber to a small market less than five blocks from the complex where her townhome is, shopped, then according to the clerk on duty, she left on foot.
She never made it.
Her body was found about ninety minutes ago, pulled into some bushes in a park about a block from her townhome. Her purse was missing, so they assume she was robbed. Except her keys and both her personal and work phoneswere in her jacket pockets. There was no sign of sexual assault, and it looks like she was shot in the back.
One of the officers recognized her, which was how they quickly put together her identity.
They are in the process of canvassing the neighborhood and checking security cameras from nearby businesses for any clues as to who did it.
“Why would they shoot her?” Kev asks, and he sounds soheartbroken I want to go nuke someone, anyone, to make them pay for doing this to my Sir. “She would have handed over her purse. She wouldn’t have fought.”
“We don’t know, sir,” the detective says. “We hope to find that out.”
I want to go, but I know I can’t. I’m going to send Chris with him, except—
“Dammit, the kids,” he says. “I need to go get the kids from school and tell them. I can’thave them learning this from someone there. Media will be swarming once this breaks.”
“Go,” I tell him.
He looks at Kev, then me, then the detectives. Finally, back to Kev. I’ve never seen Kev so gutted.
I don’t think I’ve processed this yet.
“Have you told her family yet?” Kev hoarsely asks.
“No, sir. We need you to…verify it’s her.”
He staggers to his feet, swaying a little. Chris andI stand with him, Chris catching him and me wrapping my arms around him from behind as Leo hovers close.
Chris cups Kev’s face in his hands and whispers something to him, getting a nod before he presses a long, tender kiss to Kev’s forehead. Chris turns to Leo. “Staywith him,please.”
It’s not a request, and Leo and I both know it.
Leo nods. “Yes, sir.”
Chris heads out.
I make Kev turn soI can hug him. When I start to kiss him, he acts like he’s going to pull away, but I nip that shit in the bud. “Stop, Sir,” I quietly say, and he bows his head, nodding, renewed tears ripping me apart.
I pull him into my arms and kiss him. “I love you, Sir,” I whisper. “We’re here. We’ll get you through this, I promise.”
He nods. “I love you, too, baby,” he whispers back.
Leo takes over. “Callme,” I tell Leo. “Keep me posted.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They all start to head out, but I catch the lead detective’s arm and hold him back, waiting until Kev’s out of earshot.
I glare at him. “He’sfamily,” I tell him. “He’s my husband’s best friend, and even more to both of us.Please, takecareof him.”
He wears a somber expression. “Ma’am, I swear, we’ll have him back here as soon as we can. He’snot a suspect,” he repeats. “They assure me there’s no way he could’ve sneaked out and back in without detection. We won’t even need to mention your…alibi.”
“Good.” As he leaves, I realize we have an even bigger problem now, and I hate that I can shift gears so fast.
I go wash my face and blow my nose, then I find Benjamin Cussler in his office and close his door behind me.
He stands, lookingworried. “Ma’am?”
