“I’m the problem,” he said, sounding pained. “You could probably go ahead.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
“Breathe, Samantha. Keep breathing.”
“Trying.”
Seven minutes later, the door finally opened as agents swarmed the vehicle, creating a barrier around them as they walked the short distance to the morgue door.
“Let’s keep it to one agent inside, guys,” Nick said. “No need for the full complement.”
“We’d need approval from headquarters for that, sir,” the young agent said.
“I’m giving you approval. One agent. That’s it. I’ll take the heat if there is any.”
“There’ll be heat, sir.”
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t burn you.”
“Yes, sir.” He signaled to the other agents to stay put while he accompanied them inside, looking around as if he expected a shooter to jump out at them at any second.
Sam acknowledged that it had to be nerve-racking for the agent to bring the president into a building full of armed officers with no advance notice and none of the usual preparation that preceded the president’s arrival at any destination.
“Let’s stop to check in with Lindsey,” she said, taking a right into the morgue, where her friend was completing an autopsy.
“Do you want to wait out here?” she asked Nick.
“That’s okay. I can handle it.”
“Morning,” Sam said to Lindsey when they were inside the room that smelled of antiseptic and other chemicals. “Is that our vic from the hotel?”
“Morning. Oh, and hello to you, too, Mr. President. Yes, it’s Dale Carver, age thirty-four, from Washington state. Stabbed in the chest, which severed his aorta.”
Nick winced.
“Did you get the word that Gonzo suspects a drug deal gone south?”
“I did. I’m running a tox screen, as I always do.” She glanced at them. “What’re you hearing about your nephew?”
“Nothing new yet today. Hoping to make some progress soon.”
“Are you on the case, then?”
“Not officially. Just helping out.”
“I wondered because I heard there was a screaming match between Ruiz and Malone first thing, and your name came up.”
“Great,” Sam said with a sigh. “That’s just what I need.”
“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I thought you should have a heads-up.”
“I appreciate it. Better go see what’s up.” She glanced at Nick. “Aren’t you glad you came with me?”
“Any day with you is a good day.”
“Aw, good answer, my love. See you later, Linds.”
“Praying for Ethan and your family.”
