He replied a few minutes later. How was it?
Not that bad. Just sucks to have to relive it.
I know. I’m glad that’s behind you now.
Me, too! One small concern… They asked for my legal name, and I’m sure someone will make it a thing that I never officially changed it.
Ah, OK. I’ll put Trevor and Christina on alert that they might get that question.
Sorry.
No worries, babe. Have a good rest of your day and be safe.
You, too.
“You held up well, Sam,” Vernon said.
“Thanks. It helps to have a slam dunk of a case.”
“I’m sure it’s tough when it involves people you know.”
“It is. Happens far too often for my liking.”
“Hard to believe the son of a president went to such lengths to try to clear the way for his own ambitions,” Q said.
“It was one of the more shocking developments in my career, that’s for sure.”
“What did the Nelsons say about it?” Vernon asked.
“They were horrified by what their son had done. We met with them, and they said all the right things. We believed they were as shocked by it as we were.”
“I was at the White House the day that shit hit the fan,” Q said. “No one could believe it.”
“I wasn’t entirely surprised,” Vernon said. “I’d gotten to know Christopher during his father’s time in office and found him to be very self-absorbed, unlike the rest of his family.”
“That tracks with what I learned about him,” Sam said.
“Hopefully, that’s behind you now.”
“Fingers crossed I don’t get recalled and that they can secure convictions soon.”
As Sam arrived at her office, her phone rang with a call from Jesse Best. “Hey there, how’s it going?”
“You won’t believe it.”
“What?”
“I took your suggestion to do a couple of the true crime podcasts, and we have a lead from one of them. A real, live, actual lead.”
“Oh my God, Jesse. That’s amazing news. What’ve you got?”
“I got an email from a listener who saw the age-progressed photo and is certain a woman who lives in his Kentucky town is Jordan.”
Sam’s bullshit radar immediately registered a strong hit. “Jesse…”
“I know what you’re going to say, that I want this so badly I’m willing to be scammed or led astray or whatever, but we fully investigated. I can’t say for certain that it’s her, but the lead is credible.”
“I’ll be hoping and praying for the best-possible outcome.”
