“That’s nice to hear. Sometimes I wonder if everyone thinks I’m insane for trying to do three jobs.”

“If they do, who cares?”

“I like you, Captain Martin, and my friends would tell you I don’t like anyone.”

The captain laughed as she came around her desk to walk Sam out. “That’s the best compliment I’ve received in a long time. You should know that Agent Hill and several of the Secret Service officers asked for access to the cabin after you left on Sunday. I denied their requests without explanation. If asked, my justification would be there was no reason—at that time—to allow law enforcement to search a private space occupied by the first family.”

“Thank you for that.”

“Of course. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance to you or your family. I took the liberty of asking the kitchen to prepare lunch for you and your detail. It’ll be ready whenever you’d like to have it.”

“You’re the best. Thanks again for everything.” Sam stepped out into air that was much colder on the mountaintop than it had been at home. Vernon and Jimmy waited to accompany her to the cabin where Spencer’s life had come to a tragic end. Even though Harry and the EMTs had briefly restarted his heart, it’d already been too late.

“Vernon, I need a favor,” Sam said, knowing that if she wanted to maintain control of this investigation, she couldn’t bring others into it—at least not there. The minute word got out of a possible crime occurring at Camp David, the Feds would swoop in and take over.

“Whatever I can do, ma’am.”

“I need you to witness whatever I take from the cabin for the chain of custody.”

“No problem.”

Sam glanced at the older man who’d become a friend under the most unlikely of circumstances. “This is way outside your job description.”

“I’m aware.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m happy to do whatever I can to help you figure out what caused this terrible tragedy.”

“How did you know that’s what I’m doing?”

He gave her a “duh” look that made her laugh. “I’d like to think we’ve gotten to know each other a little bit over these last couple of months, and I knew as soon as your brother-in-law turned up unresponsive that you’d be all over figuring out what happened to him.”

“You figured right, and PS, as I say to Nick, quit knowing me so well.”

Vernon’s warm smile helped to soothe the ache inside her. They were surrounded by people who’d do anything for them, Angela and her children, which was comforting to realize. “In case you’re wondering, I would’ve been disappointed if you didn’t do exactly what you’re doing.”

“That helps me feel better about it,” Sam said. “Technically, I should turn this over to other people, but I want to protect his privacy—and ours—for as long as I can.”

“I get it, and Jimmy does, too,” Vernon said, giving his partner a look that left no doubt as to what Vernon expected from him.