With most of his loved ones by his side, Spencer passed at five after eight.

Sam insisted they wait to ensure that Lindsey and her team were there to remove Spencer’s body from the hospital before she felt comfortable leaving.

With Spencer safe with Lindsey, Nick and Mike kept their arms around Angela as the Secret Service escorted them to an exit they’d secured ahead of time.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. President, Mrs. Cappuano,” Brant said as he stood by the door to one of the many black SUVs they used to transport the first family.

“Thank you, Brant,” Nick said for all of them.

Angela sat between Sam and Tracy. They kept Angela in tissues while dealing with their own tears.

“What am I going to do?” Angela asked.

“Take things one minute at a time,” Tracy said. “You have to take care of yourself and the baby.”

“The baby won’t ever know him,” Angela said, as if that was just now occurring to her. “There won’t be any pictures…”

“The baby will know him through us,” Sam said. “We’ll make sure of it.”

Nick took a call from Terry. “We’ll be back shortly, and I’ll review it then. I understand.”

“People are clamoring for info?” Sam asked him.

He nodded. “I want to review the statement before they release it.” He glanced at Angela. “I’m sorry. Work shouldn’t be intruding at a time like this.”

“Do whatever you need to and don’t be sorry,” Angela said. “I understand the press is all over you.”

“We hate that most of the time, but never more so than at times like this.”

“It’s okay. Everyone who needs to know already does.”

“We’ll release the statement as soon as I approve it.”

Sam sent a text to Freddie and Gonzo, asking them to notify the squad so they wouldn’t hear about Spencer’s death on the news.

Oh my God, Freddie replied. I’m so, so sorry.

Heartbroken, Gonzo said.

“Trace,” Sam said. “You need to call Brooke.” Sam’s niece was in college in Charlottesville.

“I will as soon as we get there,” Tracy said.

When they arrived at the White House, they were met by Gideon Lawson, the chief usher. “Please accept the condolences of the entire staff on the loss of your brother-in-law.”

“Thank you, Gideon,” Nick said.

“All the guest rooms on the second and third floor are ready for occupancy, and if you’d like, we can send up some food to the residence.”

“That’d be good,” Nick said. “Thank you so much.”

“We wish there was more we could do.”

“We all do. It’s… unbelievable.”

“I’m sure. He was so young.”

“Two years younger than I am.”

Sam listened to them, feeling detached from the entire situation, as if she were watching it happen from a distance rather than being smack in the middle of it. She’d experienced that feeling only two other times in her life. The day after Detective Arnold was gunned down and then again when her father had died just as suddenly as Spencer had.