“When I can text you or call you if I need a fix.”

Sam rolled her eyes.

“There she is, my sweet, sassy, sexy cop.”

“I’m gonna be super sexy for the next four to six weeks.”

“There’s never a time when you’re not sexy. I have news you’re going to like.”

“What’s that?”

“A crackpot named LeRoy Nevins is in custody on the attempted bombing.”

“What do we know about him?”

“That he doesn’t approve of me being president and decided to leave a bomb at our gate to make sure I was aware of his disapproval.”

“Are they sure it’s him?”

“The FBI is sure enough that they released the update to the media this morning, and it’s all over the news that they got the guy. He’s saying he didn’t do it, wouldn’t waste his time, etc.”

“They wouldn’t have released news of the arrest if they weren’t sure.”

“That’s what I thought, too, based on my extensive firsthand experience with police work.”

Sam smiled. “You’re learning by osmosis.”

“I love the way you rub off on me.”

“It’s gonna be a while before I can rub off on you.”

“Not that long.”

“Long enough. Nick?”

“What, honey?”

“The crackpots scare me. That they hate you just because you did your job and took over for Nelson when he died.”

“I know it’s easy for me to tell you not to worry about it.”

“Like it’s easy for me to tell you not to worry about me?”

“Just like that but try not to worry. The Secret Service is incredible, and they’re not going to let the crackpots get anywhere near me.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

“I want my phone to check in with Gonzo.”

“Not yet. You need to rest. You just had surgery.”

“I’ve been resting half the day—you just said so. Now give me my phone.”

“Is this what the next month is going to be like with you?” he asked as he fished her phone out of his pants pocket.

“I suspect it’ll get much worse than this before it’s over.”

“Oh joy. I can’t wait.”

“And just think, you’re working at home, so you can tend to me between meetings.”

As he handed her the phone, he leaned over the bed to kiss her. “I love nothing more than tending to my gorgeous wife regardless of her foul moods.”

Only he could make her giggle after having fucking surgery on her fucking broken hip. “Can you raise the bed?”

“They told me not to touch it yet.”

“I hate this place and everyone in it.”

“Even me?”

“Not yet, but I’m sure I’ll hate you, too, before long.”

“Good to know,” he said with a chuckle.

Flat on her back in a hospital bed, Sam put through a call to Gonzo.