As Sam watched her go, she vowed to keep a close eye on her friend and colleague. This case was striking too close to home for her.

Chapter Twenty-One

Sam was about to leave for the day when Gonzo appeared in the office doorway. “Jury’s in. I’m not sure what to do.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I think I’d like to be there when the verdict is read.”

“Then let’s go.”

“You don’t have to come.”

“Yes, I do, but can we have Vernon and Jimmy take us? I can’t manage that sled of yours.”

“Sure. My hands are shaking. It’s probably better if I don’t drive.”

“Gonzo.”

He turned back to her.

“Even if the worst possible thing happens, which it won’t, we know who killed Arnold.”

Nodding, he said, “Yeah.”

“Keep the faith.”

“Trying to.”

Vernon pulled the SUV up to the federal courthouse fifteen minutes later.

Gonzo got out and then gave Sam a hand.

“Thanks.”

They walked up the ramp and into a media scrum in the lobby. Reporters started calling Sam’s name the second they stepped inside.

Vernon and Jimmy ran interference, delivering them to the courtroom they needed with minimal fuss.

“Sometimes having Secret Service protection doesn’t suck,” Sam said to Gonzo.

“True that.”

Arnold’s parents, sisters and girlfriend greeted Sam and Gonzo with tearful hugs.

“Thank you for being here,” his mother said. “Your support means everything to us.”

“We wouldn’t be anywhere else right now,” Sam said, hugging the other woman.

The courtroom was soon called to order, the jury filed in, the verdict given to the bailiff and to the judge. The defendant was ordered to rise, and the judge ran through the motions of reading the verdict and then asking the jury forewoman how they’d found the matter.

“Guilty, Your Honor.”

The same verdict was recorded on three additional charges as the Arnolds wept silently.

Thank God, Sam thought as she squeezed Gonzo’s hand.

The jurors were thanked for their service and dismissed, sentencing was set for March 23rd, and the guilty man was led away in leg chains. When the judge pounded the gavel to signify the end of the proceedings, Sam turned to hug her friend.

“You did it. You got him.”

Gonzo nodded as tears slid down his face. “Yeah. We got him.”

The Arnolds hugged them both and thanked them for the tireless pursuit of justice on behalf of their son and brother.

“We’ll see you for the anniversary?” Sam asked.

“We’ll be there,” Mr. Arnold said. “We’re excited to visit the White House.”