“Since I’m going to Chicago tomorrow, taking Sunday off, and attending the senator’s funeral on Monday, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“About the funeral…” Deputy Chief Conklin said.

“I believe the local and federal security required to bring in the president will be sufficient to protect a lowly District sergeant,” Sam said with what she hoped was a confident smile.

“The Secret Service will have to be made aware of the threat and your planned presence at the service,” Conklin said. “I’ll take care of that.”

“Appreciate it,” Farnsworth said. He leaned forward to address Sam. “I want you to take this very seriously. Johnson has a lot of friends, and all of them—fairly or unfairly—blame you for what happened in that house. They don’t care that you didn’t fire the shot. They care that you gave the order.”

“Yes, sir.” Since she blamed herself, too, she could understand where they were coming from.

“AUSA Miller, has Sergeant Holland been adequately prepared for Tuesday’s court appearance?”

“She has, Chief. We’ve been through it several times, and she’s never wavered from her initial statement.”

“I’ll let you get back to work then,” Farnsworth said. “Thanks for being here.”

“No problem.” With an encouraging smile for Sam, Charity got up and left the room.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ve got a few more threads to tie up before my tour ends,” Sam said.

“There’s just one more thing,” Farnsworth said, reaching for a file on his desk.

Sam refused to acknowledge the twinge of pain that hovered in her gut. “Sir?”

“I had lunch with your father earlier this week.”

“Yes, sir, he mentioned that. I know he appreciates your visits.” To the others, she added, “All of you.”

“And I know you go out of your way to downplay your family’s history with this department.”

“I don’t want nor do I expect special treatment because of the rank my father attained prior to being injured in the line.”

Farnsworth replied with a hint of a smile. “Regardless, he was curious as to whether I’d gotten the results of the lieutenant’s exam.”

Just those words were enough to override any success she’d had in keeping the pain at bay. It roared through her, leaving her breathless in its wake. When she was able to speak again, she said, “I’m aware it’s a source of embarrassment to my father and to you as my superior officers that I’ve been unable to pass the exam on two previous attempts.”

“What I’d like to know is why the fact that you’re dyslexic isn’t mentioned anywhere in your personnel file.”

Stunned, Sam opened her mouth and then closed it when the words simply wouldn’t come.

“I’ve done some basic research on dyslexia and discovered that standardized tests are one of the dyslexic’s greatest foes.”

“Yes, but—”