“Yep.”
While he got busy on his phone, she called Malone.
“What’s up?” he asked, sounding harried.
“Sorry to bug you again.” She filled him in on the details Amara had provided. “We’re turning over the Ivanov investigation to third shift and calling it a day, unless you need us for anything.”
“I think I’m all set for now. I’m overrun with Feds investigating the bombing.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“In this case, it is, because of the alleged involvement of the Russians. They can deal with that.”
“Can you keep them away from the Ivanov murder case?”
“I’ll do what I can. So far, they don’t seem interested in that part of the picture, but only because they haven’t connected the dots yet. We’ll need to brief Hill on that part of the story tomorrow. They’re working on tracking down the people who hired the two boys to drop the backpack. Apparently, the president has ordered the Russian perps delivered to federal law enforcement, so we’re waiting on that to happen.”
Go Nick. “Do we have the kids in custody?”
“We do, and they’re shitting their pants. They claim they had no idea what they were being asked to do.”
“Will you charge them?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll leave that up to the USA to decide how she wants to handle them, but if it were up to me, I’d say no.”
“My first order of business tomorrow will be meeting with Gretchen Henderson to find out everything she knew about Ivanov and go from there.”
“Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any more bizarre.”
“Right? Will you be able to leave soon?”
“In an hour or so. I’m meeting with the families of the people who were killed shortly. I’ll punch out after that.”
“Do you want me to come to that?”
“You don’t have to. Dr. Trulo will be with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m good. Go home. Get some rest. We’ll need all hands on deck tomorrow.”
“I’ll be here. Please don’t wear yourself out trying to handle everything.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, dear.”
Sam smiled as she said good night to him. The news about his prostate cancer felt like it’d happened two weeks ago rather than that same day.
“All good with him?” Freddie asked.
“He and Trulo are meeting with the families of the people who were killed.”
“Ugh.”
“I know. The boys who delivered the backpack with the bombs are in custody and shitting their pants, according to Malone. He said it’s up to the USA as to whether they’ll be charged, but he’d vote for no.”
