“I’m okay. I know you’re all still worried about me, but I’m doing much better than I was.”

“What are you hearing from the trial?”

“The defense is bringing in a parade of bullshit character witnesses to sing the praises of what a good guy he is, but Faith tells me the jury isn’t being swayed by the theater of it. They know who this guy is and what he’s done.”

“I can’t believe they wouldn’t allow admission of his past crimes,” Sam said.

“They have more than enough to convict him for killing Arnold. I’m not at all concerned about it not going our way. Once that’s done and the first anniversary is observed, I’ll be able to really breathe again. But in the meantime, I’m feeling good and back in the game.”

“You have no idea how glad we all are about that. If the visit with Stahl is triggering in any way, I want you to leave. Nothing is worth risking your hard-won progress.”

“I hear you, and I can handle him. Don’t worry.”

“Keep me posted.”

“I will. We’ll be in to visit.”

“I’ll probably be home tonight.”

Standing at the rolling computer station, Anderson shook his head.

“Or tomorrow.”

Again, Anderson shook his head.

Sam wanted to scream. “I guess I’ll be here a day or two.”

“Whoa.”

“Don’t get me started.”

“No worries. Just take care of yourself.”

“I’m being told I have no choice about that. Talk to you later.” Sam closed the phone. “How long do I have to be here?” she asked Anderson.

“Three to four days, depending on how you do and if there’re complications.”

“What kind of complications?”

“Infection, for one, but we’ll try not to let that happen.”

“Try really hard.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Babe, I texted Terry to tell him what’s going on, and he suggests we release a brief statement before the media catches wind.”

“I haven’t even told my sisters or Celia or my mother.”

“Do you want me to text them?”

“I guess,” she said, becoming resigned to the fact that this was really happening.

“This is what I’m saying to them. ‘Hi there and sorry for the group text, but Sam slipped on ice, fell in the parking lot at work yesterday and managed to fracture her hip. She’s having surgery this afternoon at GW and will be here three to four days. She is not happy about this, as you can imagine. Please pray for both of us.’”

“Look at you, joining the comedians,” she said as Anderson snickered. “I’ll remember all the people who thought this was funny. There’s nothing wrong with my rusty steak knife.”

“Duly noted,” Nick said. “I sent it.”

“You should tell Eli and Scotty, too.”

He pushed some buttons on the phone. “Done.”