Sam ended the call and filled Nick in on what she’d learned.

“What do you suppose it means?”

“She could’ve paid someone to off her brother-in-law.”

“If she did, why wait until he’s here for nomination hearings? Everyone knew he was on Nelson’s short list for the court. His nomination was hardly a surprise.”

“Who knows? Maybe she had someone on retainer in case it ever got this far. At any rate, I’d like to speak to her again. What do you say we hit GW on the way home? I want to check on Devon, too.”

“It’s not exactly on the way.”

“No grumbling, rookie.”

“I’m just saying…”

Patting his cheek, she said, “I can always drop you off at home if it’s getting too late for you.”

“And miss all this excitement? No way. Besides, you promised me a reward for getting you that background check. I intend to collect.”

Closing and locking the hotel room door, she shot him a look full of innocence. “I was planning to make you an ice cream sundae. My nieces and nephews love my sundaes. Is that what you had in mind?”

“Not exactly,” he muttered. “Although you can feel free to include hot fudge and whipped cream in my reward.”

Somehow he always managed to get the last word.

Chapter 31

Headlights filled the rearview mirror with a bright glare.

Sam winced at the light and slowed down. “What the hell?” she said to the car behind them. “Get off my ass.”

Instead of backing off, though, the other car tagged her back fender.

“What the fuck?” she cried.

Nick spun around for a better look and nearly lost the top of his head to the bullet that shattered the back window and lodged in the windshield.

She pushed his head down and hit the gas.

Nick pushed back. “Goddamn it, Sam! Let go of me!”

“Keep your head down and hold on!” She released him, called for back up and slammed on the brakes, spinning the car around to face the shooter. She drew her weapon, turned on her emergency lights and opened the car door.

“Where are you going?” Nick cried, grabbing her coat. “Get back in the car!”

She tugged herself free and got out.

The driver of the other car revved the engine and came at them, smashing into her car and narrowly missing Sam, who dove for cover in her car. Slamming the car into reverse, tires smoked as the attacking car backed up and bounced off a parked car before it took off in the other direction.

Sam jammed her car into reverse, and turned around to give chase. “Damn it, I couldn’t see who it was with the glare of the headlights.”

“Jesus Christ,” Nick muttered, clinging to the handle above the window as Sam took a corner on two wheels.

“Get down!” she cried.

“What about you?”

“I’m driving.”