Fatal Reckoning (Fatal #14)(104)
The judge turned to her. “Lieutenant Holland, you’re dismissed.”
She stood, gave herself a second to get her legs under her and then stepped down from the witness box, walking directly into the arms of her husband. He kept one arm around her as they exited the courtroom, which had gone completely silent.
Neither said a word as the Secret Service whisked them out of the courthouse and into one of the waiting SUVs.
“You were fucking brilliant,” Nick said as the car pulled away from the curb. “I’ve never been so proud of you. If your testimony doesn’t put that bastard away for life, I don’t know what will.”
“It’s out of my hands now.”
“The jury was outraged by what he did to you.”
“It seemed that way.” She relaxed into his embrace and took a couple of deep breaths as adrenaline continued to zip through her. For so long, she’d dreaded having to face off with Stahl in court, but now it was done, and she could finally put it behind her. “This has been a rather monumental week. We solved my dad’s case and Steven’s, and hopefully disposed of Stahl once and for all. We got rid of a whole bunch of scumbags.”
“A good week indeed, but a tough one for my love.” He kissed the top of her head and ran his hand up and down her arm. “What can I do for you?”
“I want two days with you and the kids and nothing to do.”
“Let’s go to the cabin and take them to the farm to ride horses.”
“That sounds like perfection.”
* * *
AS USUAL THESE DAYS, it took some doing to organize an impromptu getaway to the cabin in Leesburg that John O’Connor had left to Nick. The cabin was located a short distance from the home of John’s parents, Graham and Laine O’Connor.
The press had been relentless in their attacks against the department, shining the light on the “cancer” that had been permitted to fester under the watch of Chief Joe Farnsworth, who had been equally criticized and lauded for pursuing the truth that had led to arrests in cold-case killings of two respected cops. No one knew for sure whether Farnsworth would be able to hold on to his job or if he even wanted to after the sickening discoveries about his deputy chief. Having Stahl’s trial happening at the same time hadn’t helped to take the heat off the department. Faith had told her it would be at least another week before the trial went to the jury.
Sam had avoided all requests for comment about the arrests in her father’s case and didn’t plan to speak publicly about it until after the trials had been completed. In the meantime, she hoped and prayed that her beloved chief and uncle Joe would weather the storm, even if she wouldn’t blame him if he decided to retire. In the good news department, she’d heard that Kevin Viera was expected to make a full recovery, and his girlfriend had delivered a healthy seven-pound baby girl. Sam had personally called Lorraine Davis and told her why her father had been killed, making a point to thank her again for what her father had done to save Skip’s life that day on G Street.
Sam had received the green light from both the department and the White House to pursue her grief group for victims of violent crime and had mentioned the group to Lorraine Davis. With Trulo’s help, she hoped to have it up and running in the next couple of months.
On the second night they were at the cabin, Graham and Laine invited Scotty and the twins to spend the night, so they could ride the horses some more and make the homemade ice cream Laine was known for. At first, Aubrey and Alden had been hesitant to go, but Scotty had convinced them, telling them Sam and Nick would be right down the road and could come get them if they missed them too much.
Aubrey had taken a liking to one of the horses, so she’d been easier to convince. As usual, Alden seemed wiser than his years as he carefully considered the invitation before agreeing to go, but only because Scotty was there.
“Alone at last,” Nick said when they returned to the cabin after having dinner with Graham, Laine, their longtime housekeeper, Carrie, and the kids.
“How long do you think Alden and Aubrey will hold out before they want us?”
“With Scotty there, we might get the full night. But since it’s possible they could call us at any minute, what do you say we make very good use of the time we have alone together?”
Sam gave him a blank look. “To do what?”
His wolfish grin was the sexiest thing ever.
She whipped her top over her head and unbuttoned her jeans.
Nick followed suit, kicking off his shoes, removing his sweater and stripping down to boxers in record time. He wrapped an arm around her waist, taking her by surprise when he lifted her.
“If you throw your back out, you’ll put a damper on things.”
“Oh please. You’re light as a feather.”
Sam snorted with laughter. “Sure I am. Where’re we going?”
“Right here.” He lowered her to the soft carpet they’d bought to put in front of the fireplace.
“This carpet was the best idea I ever had.”
“Mmm,” he said, kissing her. “Definitely one of your best.”
“You know what my very best idea ever was?”
“What’s that?” He released the front clasp of her bra, his eyes going dark with lust when her breasts sprang free.
“Marrying you. Single best thing I ever did in my entire life.”