“I wouldn’t feel right even asking right now when there’s a gaping hole in our building and multiple people dead, not to mention our leadership in the hospital. No, the best thing I can do for Nick right now is figure out who killed Ivanov and answer at least one pressing question about this mess.”
Cameron Green came into the conference room as Nick left the podium. “Curtis Henderson’s lawyer is here.”
“Thank you,” Sam said. “Have him brought to interview two.”
“I’ll see if Henderson is through Processing and see where we are with getting the video from his apartment complex,” Freddie said. “I’ll also text to get an AUSA here to witness the interview.” He would have to go outside to get to the temporary Processing area on the other side of the building.
“Thanks.”
While he did that, Sam used the BlackBerry to text Nick. I saw part of your presser. I thought you did well. I’m sorry you have to deal with this crap. Reminder, my rusty steak knife is always available as needed—as am I. Love you.
She was leaving the conference room when Cameron escorted Devon Sinclair into the hallway.
“Hi, Devon. You’re here for Curtis Henderson?”
“I am. Good to see you, Lieutenant.”
“Likewise.” She’d met him when his uncle, Julian Sinclair, had been murdered after being nominated for the Supreme Court. Devon had been gravely injured during the investigation, and his boyfriend had been killed. His parents were serving lengthy prison terms for their roles in the murders. “Hope you’re doing well.”
The handsome young man offered a sad smile. “Good days, bad days, but hanging in there. Working twelve hours a day helps.”
“Don’t work too hard. That’s not good for anyone.”
“I’m sorry about the bombing. It’s outrageous.”
“Indeed it is. Thank you for helping out with my brother-in-law’s situation.”
“Thanks for recommending me. I don’t expect that case to go anywhere, but you never know how these things will transpire.”
“I’m glad he has you on his side. What’s the latest with Ezra Smith?” Detective Gigi Dominguez’s ex-boyfriend had been charged with assaulting her and taking her family members hostage during a mental health crisis that Sam had helped to defuse. She’d arranged for Devon to represent Ezra.
“He’s doing well in treatment, making progress. We’re working on a plea deal for reduced charges.”
“I’m glad to hear he’s doing okay.” That would be important to Gigi. “Freddie will bring Mr. Henderson to meet with you shortly in interview two, and we’ll be in to chat when you’re ready.”
“Thank you.”
The BlackBerry buzzed with a reply from Nick as she returned to her office. That’s good to know. Bring the steak knife home just in case. Graham and Laine are in. Very excited to announce them late this afternoon in the East Room if you’re available. No worries if not.
Sam felt profound relief at knowing Graham would be Nick’s new VP and by his side for the rest of this journey. In Graham, Nick would have a partner he could trust implicitly, which was exactly what he needed most right now.
I’m SO happy to hear about Graham—and Laine, she replied. I’ll do my best to be there. What time do you need me?
All the time, but we’re announcing at five. Then I’m going to see my mother before I head for Andrews.
I’ll be there for all of it.
He traveled less than he probably should have because he wanted to be home with her and the kids—and wasn’t campaigning to keep the job at the end of his term. But things like NATO, G7 and other such meetings that required him to be away always made her miss him before he’d even left. What did it say about her that facing a few days without her husband sent her into a deep funk?
Before she had the chance to answer her own question, Freddie appeared in the doorway. “Curtis is ready to talk.”
“Already? Did he have the chance to consult with Devon?”
“He did, and Hope Miller is in observation on a conference call about another case, but she said she can multitask.”
“Okay, then.”
“Also, we got the video from Curtis’s apartment complex, which shows him leaving his place at two thirty in the morning on the day Sergei was found dead and returning after seven.”
