I know this sucks, and I feel so bad having to put you all through it, but I didn’t know what else to do after I saw those pictures when I was on the other side of the world.”
“You did the right thing, Nick,” Skip said. “The only thing you could do in light of those photos. In your shoes, I would’ve done the same.”
Sam could see that her father’s words helped to relieve some of Nick’s burden.
“I never would’ve gone to such extremes if I hadn’t thought it was necessary,” Nick said. “I hope you know that.”
“We do,” Celia said. “Of course we do, and you know, I was saying to Skip this morning that we need to make the best of this situation. How often do we get to spend this kind of time with the ones we love the most? Everyone is so busy and rushed these days. Let’s try to enjoy being together while they investigate.”
Sam smiled at her stepmother. Leave it to her to see the positive in an otherwise sucky situation. “I think that’s a great idea, Celia.”
“So you’re going to relax and enjoy the break from your real life?” Nick asked with a smile.
“Well, I meant everyone else should.”
The others laughed at her comment, which broke the tension somewhat. And then she noticed Scotty still staring at the picture of himself at camp. She nudged Nick and nodded toward their son.
“I’ll keep you all posted to the best of my ability.” Nick stood and went over to where Scotty sat. “Can I see you for a minute, buddy?”
Scotty looked up at him. “Um, yeah. Sure.”
Nick led Scotty into their bedroom.
Sam followed them and closed the door.
“Are you okay?” Nick asked.
“It’s just kinda weird, you know? That someone was watching me at baseball camp.”
“It’s really weird,” Nick said, “and you’re absolutely right to feel violated.”
“I guess I’m still getting used to all of this,” Scotty said. “People knowing who I am and stuff.”
Sam could see in Nick’s expression and the tense set of his shoulders how much he disliked being the reason that people now recognized their son.
“I’m sorry to have put you in that position. It’s a lot to ask of you and Mom and the rest of the family.”
“I’m not sorry,” Scotty said fiercely.
“You’re not?” Nick asked.
“Of course I’m not. You’re the best possible vice president we could have, and I don’t want you to feel bad. It’s not your fault that people are weird.”
Sam and Nick laughed, and the look her husband sent her made her heart ache with love for both of them.
“Thank you, buddy.” Nick took the photo of Scotty at camp from him and ripped it up. “Don’t ever forget that the Secret Service is watching over you no matter where you are. They’d never let the weirdos get anywhere near you.”
“I know. Don’t worry about me. I can handle it.”
Nick wrapped his arms around his son and hugged him. “I know you can, and that makes your mom and I very proud of you.”
Sam joined them in a group hug. Because she knew it would set Scotty off, she went up on tiptoes to kiss Nick over the boy’s head.
“Eww, gross! I’m right here!”
Sam laughed at his predictable reaction and made kissing noises behind Scotty’s back.
“I’m out.” Scotty scooted from between them and bolted for the door.
“He’s something else, that kid of ours,” Nick said.
“He certainly is. Just like his father.”
Nick smiled down at her, but she could see the weariness in the hollows under his eyes. Despite Scotty’s assurances, Nick wouldn’t truly rest until the FBI got to the bottom of the threat against their family.
* * *
WITH SAM OUT for God knew how long and Captain Malone on a personal day, Gonzo was asked to handle the morning media briefing on the floater and the results of the autopsy. Facing off with the ravenous media was never his favorite thing to do, and it was especially unpleasant with the sun beating down on him relentlessly. It took about four seconds to sweat through his shirt.
“At thirteen twenty-three yesterday, we received a 911 call about a body in the Anacostia River, just south of the John Philip Sousa Bridge. Tactical Response teams were dispatched to the scene, where a female victim was recovered. The body was brought back to headquarters and an autopsy performed by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsey McNamara. Dr. McNamara has determined the body is not that of missing college student Ruby Denton. I repeat, the body is not Ruby Denton.”
“How do you know that?” Darren Tabor from the Washington Star shouted.
“Ms. Denton’s dental records were provided by her family, and they are not a match for the victim in our morgue.”
“Then who is she?” Darren asked.
“We’re working to identify her at this time.”
“Why was it deemed necessary for the Secret Service to take Lieutenant Holland from the scene at the river?” another reporter asked.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss that.”
“Can you confirm it was the Secret Service who took her?”
“And where’s the vice president?” another asked. “The White House is refusing to confirm his whereabouts.”
“And you think I’m going to do that when they won’t?” Gonzo asked with a huff of incredulous laughter. “That’s it. We’re done here.”
While they continued to shout questions about the floater as well as Sam and Nick’s whereabouts, Gonzo turned away from the podium and went inside, thankful for the cool blast of air-conditioning that greeted him along with Chief Farnsworth.
“I can’t believe they expect me to tell them where the vice president is, as if that’s my job,” Gonzo said.
“You handled it well,” the chief said. “It’s not up to us to confirm or deny his whereabouts—or hers for that matter.”
“Has there been any word about where they are?”
“Not that I’ve heard.”
“What about Archie’s team? Have they picked up anything?”
“Nothing.”
“I don’t like this, sir. What if this entire thing is some sort of nefarious
