“He’s not just my friend. He’s my subordinate now. She’ll turn him against me.”

“Honestly, Samantha.” Nick led her to the dance floor. “The twists and turns of your mind are a constant source of fascination to me.”

“Glad I’m available to entertain you,” she grumbled.

“You do.” He brought his lips down on hers. “Endlessly.”

“Get a room, you two,” Sam’s sister Tracy said as she danced up next to them with her husband Mike.

Sam tried to put some space between herself and Nick, but he just tightened his hold on her.

“Great party,” Mike said.

“Thanks,” Nick replied. “Did your dad get something to eat?”

“Celia’s on it,” Tracy said. “He’s having a great time visiting with all his cop buddies.”

They glanced over to find Skip with Celia, Chief Farnsworth, Deputy Chief Conklin and their spouses, as well as Detective Captain Malone and some of the other department captains.

“He’s in his glory,” Sam said to her sister.

“It’s been a good day for him,” Tracy said.

“Yes.” Sam thought of Clarence Reese and wished she could share the possibility with her sister, but didn’t want to disappoint her, either.

“The O’Connors just got here,” Nick said, his eyes on the door. “We need to go say hello.” To Mike and Tracy, he added, “You guys have a good time.”

“We’re kid free,” Tracy said, beaming at her husband. “We’re already having a good time, and it’s only going to get better.”

“I like her,” Mike said with a lascivious grin. “I like her so much.”

Laughing, Nick and Sam left the happy couple on the dance floor.

“They’re awfully cute together,” Nick said.

“They always have been. I’ve been envious of how easy they make it look.”

He squeezed her shoulder and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “No need to be envious anymore. We’ll show them easy.”

Heartened by Nick’s words, Sam tried not to feel awkward as Senator and Mrs. O’Connor greeted her with warm hugs. Nick thought of them as his adopted family, and Sam knew she needed to get over the resentment she harbored from when they lied to her during the investigation into their son’s murder. Sam had uncovered John’s illegitimate twenty-year-old son who’d been kept hidden from the public in deference to the senior Senator O’Connor’s political career and reputation. That son, his mother and that secret turned out to be a motive for murder.

“What a lovely party,” Laine O’Connor said to Nick.

“I’m glad you could come,” Nick said.

“Oh, we wouldn’t miss it. Royce and Lizbeth are right behind us,” she said, referring to her son-in-law and daughter. Laine reached for Nick’s hand. “And what you’re doing for Terry. I just can’t thank you enough. We can’t thank you enough.”