Brooke’s eyes flooded with tears again. “How’s Ang?”

“She’s holding up as well as can be expected.”

“And the kids… God, they’re so young. I was a mess at school this week. They were all I could think about.”

“We’ll get them through it. Somehow.”

“Do you know any more about why this happened?”

“We’re working on tracking down the dealer, but it’s slow going.”

“I’m glad you’re working the case. That makes me feel better.”

Sam glanced at Nate, who was speaking to Tracy and Mike. “How are things going with Nate?”

“So good. He’s been wonderful this week. We’ve spent hours on the phone, and I was so happy to hear Eli was coming to the services so I could see Nate.” Nate was Eli’s lead Secret Service agent and was stationed with him in Princeton, New Jersey, while Brooke attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

“I’m glad you have him to support you through this. I’m so happy for you, Brooke. Truly.”

Her niece hugged her again. “That means so much to me. Thank you.” She glanced over her shoulder to see where her mother was. “Don’t tell Mom, but—”

“Ack! Don’t ask me to keep things from your mother.”

“I’m going to tell her before I go back to school, but I’ve applied to transfer to Princeton for the fall.”

“That’s a big move. Are you sure?”

She glanced at Nate, who smiled at something Tracy said to him. “I’m very sure.”

Angela had asked Sam, Nick, Tracy and Mike to be with her in the receiving line along with Spencer’s parents, sisters, brother, sister-in-law and nephews. Despite her best intentions not to look, Sam kept shifting her gaze to the body in the coffin at the front of the room.

It was still surreal.

Spencer was dead.

How could Angela stand to be in a room with his dead body?

Sam would lose her mind if her husband was in that box.

Nick’s hand landed on her back, almost as if he knew what she was thinking. “Why don’t you take a break, babe?”

“Not until she does.” If Angela could stand there and smile as she greeted friends, family, acquaintances and others who’d been invited to attend, so could she. Guests had to provide the invitation they’d received from the Secret Service to gain entrance so it wouldn’t turn into a free-for-all of people wanting to meet the president and first lady. They’d had to provide lists of people who would want to attend so they could be issued invitations.

The Secret Service and Metro PD had formed a barrier around the building to ensure their protection and that of everyone else who attended.

Sam hated that she and Nick had complicated things for Angela and Spencer’s family. But she was relieved that everyone entering the funeral home had been invited by some member of the family. Spencer’s work colleagues and friends were numerous, and the line was endless, or so it seemed. Sam scanned every face that came through, looking for the man in the picture, although she didn’t expect to see him.