Nick let out a surprised gasp. “Julian! What’re you doing here?” He was shocked to see Graham’s close friend. Nick had known Julian since his years on the Harvard hockey team when Julian, a Harvard Law professor, had been one of the team’s most ardent supporters.

Grinning, Julian returned Nick’s embrace before greeting Terry just as warmly. “I have a meeting in town tomorrow,” Julian said, “and I wanted to be among the first to congratulate the newest United States senator.”

Nick took a good long look at his friend, noting that his hair had gone entirely to silver since the last time Nick saw him. The hint of sadness in Julian’s brown eyes was also new. John’s sudden death had hit them all hard.

“Listen to him being modest,” Graham said. He looked happier than Nick had seen him since John died, which made Nick feel lighter, too. “Tell them who the meeting is with.”

“Nelson,” Julian said with a sheepish grin.

“Oh!” Nick said, understanding dawning on him all of a sudden. “The court.” Longtime Justice William Jeremiah had recently announced his retirement, giving President Nelson his first opportunity to make a nomination to the Supreme Court.

Graham clapped his hands together. “You said it, Senator. You boys are looking at the next Supreme Court Justice!”

“Wow,” Terry said. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you, but it’s all up to the Senate, of course,” Julian said. “I’m told I should prepare for one hell of a dogfight.”

Nick couldn’t disagree with him. Julian’s liberal views on abortion and other hot-button issues made him a polarizing choice on Nelson’s part.

“You’ve got at least one vote sewn up, right, Senator?” Graham said.

“Of course,” Nick said. “I’ll do anything I can to help. This is one of those times when I’m glad I only have a year in the Senate and can piss off anyone and everyone without a worry.”

Julian laughed. “Don’t expend all your political capital on me, my friend.”

“I can’t think of anyone better to spend it on,” Nick said sincerely. Julian was one of his favorite people. “How long are you in town?”

Julian shrugged. “For the duration, come what may.”

“We’ll have dinner at my new place next week,” Nick said. “I want you to meet Sam.”

“I can’t wait to meet this woman who’s got our boy’s head all turned around—and a cop, no less,” Julian said, grinning at Graham.

“When you meet her, you’ll see why his head is turned,” Graham added with a wink.

“All right you two. That’s enough.” Nick was thrilled to see Graham’s playful side reemerging after the grim days that followed John’s murder. “She’s here somewhere.”