“At approximately eleven forty-eight p.m. on Friday Dispatch received a nine-one-one call from the home of William and Marissa Springer on MacArthur Boulevard. The Springers’ live-in maid, Ms. Edna Chan, placed the call. She had returned home from an evening out to hear loud music coming from the basement. When she investigated, she discovered the bodies of Hugo Springer and five other young people. Patrol responded and found the bodies of six victims in a basement family room. They requested backup from homicide and crime scene detectives. Upon further inspection, three more bodies were found in a bedroom adjacent to the family room. All the victims had been stabbed multiple times.”

“How is it possible that someone can stab nine kids without anyone stopping them or hearing the screams?” Darren Tabor asked.

Sam scowled at the pesky reporter. “We believe the room was dark and music drowned out any sounds that came from the initial victims.”

“Were drugs or alcohol a factor?” another reporter asked.

“No comment.”

“So they were factors?” the same reporter said.

“No comment. We’re working the case with cooperation from the FBI, and we’ll update you when we have more.”

“Have all the families been notified?”

“Yes, they have.”

“Could we get a list of the victims’ names and ages?”

“We’ll get that for you within the hour. In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that a member of my family is believed to have been at the party up to and through the murders. We have evidence that clears her of any involvement in the murders. Another division within the MPD is handling her case. That’s all for now.”

“If she’s been cleared, what case is being handled by the other division?”

“Which member of your family?” Daren Tabor asked.

“Isn’t it a conflict of interest for you to work on a case where a family member was involved?”

“Are you covering for your family member, Lieutenant?”

“I said that’s all for now,” Sam repeated through gritted teeth. Even though she’d expected the questions, she still resented them.

“Is there any truth to the rumor that your husband is in the running to be Nelson’s new vice president?”

Sam froze as the question sent a hush through the press corps.

“Up to you if you want to answer or not,” Farnsworth said under his breath.

“We don’t deal in rumors,” Sam said. Before they could pose follow-up questions, Sam followed the chief inside.

“Is that true?” the chief asked when they were in the lobby.

“It’s true he’s been asked.”

“Wow, Sam. That’s amazing!”

“Um, yes, I suppose it is, but he’s not going to do it.”

“Why not? That would all but hand him the Democratic nomination in four years.”

“Which is what I said too. However, he doesn’t feel the time is right for us as a family to take that step.”