“I’m down with that.”
“It’s hard to watch you worry about endangering your colleagues. I hate that for you.”
“I hate it for me, too, but it’s a realistic concern that won’t go away until Nick is out of office. And even then… I hear post-presidency is almost as fraught.”
“You’re pretty much famous for the rest of your lives. And so are your kids and others like me, who tag along for the ride.”
“Oh joy.”
“It’s pretty cool sometimes. I was getting my oil changed last Saturday when some lady said, ‘Hey, you’re the first lady’s partner! Are you guys, like, best friends, or does it just seem that way?’ I got to confirm that we are, in fact, best friends.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“Shut your face. I’m your best friend because no one else would have you.”
That drew a snort of laughter from Dana.
“Don’t be insubordinate in front of young Dana. You’re setting a bad example.”
“You two should do stand-up comedy,” Dana said.
“That’d be a nice third job for me to take on,” Sam said.
“Don’t forget your most important job,” Freddie added.
“How could I ever forget my four kids? I still can’t believe I have four kids and a daughter-in-law.”
“It’s the best thing ever.”
“Sure is.” Just thinking about them made Sam feel better about what’d been an exceptionally shitty day.
They pulled up to Lindsey’s charming historical rowhouse on Mintwood Place a few minutes later.
“I love this area,” Freddie said as he led the way out of the SUV.
Sam waved to the officers in the Patrol car positioned at the curb.
Lindsey waited for them at the door.
“How is she?” Sam asked.
“Shaken up, to put it mildly.”
Sam and Freddie followed Lindsey to the back of the house, where Amara was seated at the kitchen table with a cup of tea steeping in front of her. When she saw Sam, she stood to hug her.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” Sam said.
“I am, too. This has been the strangest day.”
“It sure has.” Sam took a seat, hoping Amara would sit, too, which she did.
Freddie and Lindsey sat with them.
Sam took out her notebook and pen. “Start from the explosion and tell me everything that happened.”
“Less than a minute after you guys took off in the other direction, these two guys came into the morgue where I was grabbing my stuff before I went outside like Lindsey said to. They were dressed all in black.”
Sam made a note to figure out how they gained access to the building.
