Fatal Reckoning (Fatal #14)(56)

“It’s not about me.”

“They’re all about you, Sam. You take them all personally, which makes you damned good at your job.”

“I guess. It’s just so fucking sad. I kept thinking that she had her whole life figured out, and then it’s just gone in the blink of an eye.” She glanced at him. “Even though we played worst-case scenario last night, I don’t know how I would ever deal with that if it happened to me.”

“It won’t.”

“Please don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“I never do. Kiss me.”

She knew he was trying to change the subject, to take her mind off the pervasive sadness, but she never said no to kissing him. Her lips connected with his, which was all it took to make her want much more than she was going to get while they were in his office. He leaned his forehead against hers, stroking his fingers through her hair and generally making everything that was wrong in her world right again just by caring so much.

“I’m sorry you’re hurting, babe.”

“Lots of people are hurting.”

“I’m sorry you are hurting.”

“I’ve been talking to Dr. Trulo about maybe doing something for people like the woman today, something to support them more than we do now.”

“Like what?”

“A support group, maybe, for the victims that’re left behind when someone is murdered.”

“That’d be amazing.”

“He suggested I do it as both the Homicide squad commander and as second lady. He thought it might become a national movement if I lend my lofty title to it. What would you think of that?”

“I think that’s a fantastic idea on his part—and yours.”

“It’s in the earliest stages, but this thing today brought home again how badly it’s needed. I took her to see her husband at the morgue, and in most cases, I wouldn’t see her again until the case goes to trial. The thought of being able to do something more for her and so many others is very appealing to me.”

“I love it. You’d help a lot of people even more than you already do with something like this.”

“Perhaps I’d also help myself at the same time.”

“No doubt.” He guided her head to his shoulder. “I know you have to be missing him something fierce.”

“I am but working on his case again is helping. We’re actually making a little headway.”

“Wouldn’t it be something…”

“Yes, it would.”

“What’s the latest with Conklin?”

“Farnsworth and Malone are investigating that personally and were able to prove that Davis called Conklin every year on the anniversary of my father’s shooting.”

“Oh my God.”

“Farnsworth is taking it right to Tom Forrester.”

“Holy crap.”

“What I don’t get is why he would keep that from the rest of us. I can’t stop asking why.”

“It’s possible the answer to that question might be the break you’ve been waiting for.”

“Maybe, but at what cost? You know? What was Conklin involved with that was more important than getting justice for my dad?”

“If anyone can figure out the answer to that question, you can.”

“It’s going to come down to money, power or sex. If you’re looking for motive in most crimes, it usually involves one of those three things. Part of me doesn’t want to know.”

“I can understand that.”

“I should go so you can get back to work and finish up.”

“I can take work home with me. I’ve had enough of this place today.”

“Is everything okay?”

“The budget crap is draining.”

“And? What else?”

His deep sigh put her on immediate alert. “There’re apparently some major rumblings from the other side of the aisle about us taking in two kids who’ll require Secret Service protection at taxpayer expense.”

“Seriously? What if we’d had twins of our own when you were in office?”

“From what I hear, that would be viewed differently than volunteering to take in other people’s children.”

“That’s such bullshit. We have the right to expand our family if we choose to.”

“And that’s exactly what I told Terry to pass along to those who have objections.”

“How big of a deal is this going to be?”

“We’ve had reporters from CNN, NBC, the Washington Post and the New York Times call for statements today.”

Sam experienced a sinking feeling at realizing it would be a very big deal with those outlets nosing around. “What did you tell them?”

“The same thing you just said—that we have the right to expand our family at any time, even when I’m in office, and that we also have the right to have our family protected from people who’d do us harm simply because of the office I hold. Terry thinks it’s going to be a bit of a thing.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? You haven’t done anything.”

“I brought home two kids without a thought as to what it could mean for all of us.”