“Here and there. Nothing solid. Not yet anyway.”

“I have every faith that if anyone can get them through this, you can.”

“That’s nice of you to say, but I’m fumbling my way through it just like they are. First time I’ve lost someone close to me on the job, and it’s hard.”

“It will be for a while.”

“So we’re told by the counselors they’ve sent to talk to us. I’m also under pressure to fill the spot that’s now open in my squad, but it feels too soon to be talking about that.”

“You’ll know when the time is right.”

“I guess.” Eager to change the subject, she pointed. “That’s the house.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

AS THEY CROSSED the street, Sam took a call from Nick. “Hey, what’s up?”

“I just got a visit from Derek Kavanaugh,” he said of their close friend, who was also deputy chief of staff to the president.

“How are Derek and Maeve?”

“They’re good, but this wasn’t a social call. Apparently, the Oval is in full panic mode over Hamilton’s murder, and the White House press corps is foaming at the mouth. The president’s staff wants information, and they want it now.”

“Don’t we all,” Sam said with a sigh. “So they put Derek up to asking you to pump me for information.”

“Something like that.”

“You can tell them we’re working the case and making progress. That’s all I’ve got for right now.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that, so that’s what I told him. I also might’ve mentioned that I resent being used for my connection to you.”

Sam smiled. “Good.”

“I guess Nelson is also furious that the Feds aren’t running the investigation, even though the AG has explained about conflict of interest and jurisdiction.”

“You can tell him the Feds don’t have jurisdiction for the same reason they didn’t have it when John was killed at the Watergate.” The murder of Nick’s boss and best friend, Senator John O’Connor, had brought Nick back into her life six years after she first met him. “Our city, our case.”

“I’ll pass that along. How’s it going there?”

“Slow but good. We found some people who knew the Hamiltons when they lived here. Got some insight, but nothing huge yet. More like pieces in the puzzle.”

“You’ll put the picture together, babe. You always do.”

“I hope you’re right. Call you later?”

“I’ll be waiting. Love you.”

“Um, you too.”