Sam couldn’t imagine why Freddie hadn’t replied to the invitation. “I’ll talk to him.”

“Now, about the inscription…”

“I think I know what I want,” Sam said, feeling embarrassed. “It’s kind of hokey, but it works for us.”

Shelby reached for a pen. “Ready when you are.”

“How about, ‘You’re my home. Always, Samantha.’”

Shelby looked up at her, clearly startled.

“What? That’s stupid, isn’t it?”

“Not at all.” Shelby wrote it down. “In fact, I think it’s just right. I’ll get the ring over to the engraver.” She got busy gathering up her belongings. “We should be all set now.”

“What about Scotty’s gift to Nick? The Fenway Park cake? That’s good to go, right?”

“I was over there earlier to check on their progress. It’ll be fabulous.”

“Scotty is so excited about that.”

“With good reason. Nick will love it.”

Thinking about the other gift she’d procured for Nick and Scotty made Sam smile. She couldn’t wait to give it to them on Friday. “Shelby?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“You did a great job of keeping the crazy away from me. I appreciate that, and I’m sorry if I was a bit of a handful.”

“I meet a lot of brides and grooms, but every so often I get to work with a couple so absolutely perfect together that it’s my pleasure to do whatever it takes to ensure their day is every bit as perfect as they are for each other.” She leaned in to squeeze Sam’s hand. “I’ll see you Friday, and don’t worry about a thing.”

“I won’t,” Sam said, taken aback by Shelby’s compliment.

“Get those vows written,” Shelby called over her shoulder as she left in a cloud of pink.

“Oh my God,” Sam moaned, dropping her head to her desk once again. “Vows!”

“What’ve you got on Gardner?” Sam asked Freddie.

“I dug into some of his priors, and it seems nothing ever sticks to him. He’s managed to plead his way to probation for charges that should’ve gotten him locked up for years.”

“You’re thinking he’s pulled this intimidation thing before.”

“Seems possible.”

“Except we can’t exactly go around interviewing former assistant U.S. attorneys about something that could possibly get them disbarred.”

“True. So what’s the plan?”

“Let’s find out where he and his pal Simmons were on December 28, 2008.”

“With you, boss.”

Once they were in the car, Sam tried to find a tactful way to broach the subject of the wedding. She’d been surprised to hear that Freddie hadn’t responded. “So, um, are you coming on Saturday?”

“Of course I am. Why?”

“You never sent back the RSVP thingie. Shelby’s having vapors over it.”

“Oh. Sorry. I was… waiting, but um, I’ll get it to you later on.”