Page 123 of State of Retribution

“Holy shit,” Sam whispered.“How in the world would anyone know that?It was contained to you, me, Tyrone and my dad.”

“Or so we thought.”

“Someone is out to ruin me.”

“That’s how it appears to us, as well.The chief has put Malone in charge, and we’re focused fully on all the associated cases.He’s told us we’re allowed to speak to you if it will aid the investigation.”

“Well, it’s a relief that he’s giving it the highest priority.”

“The last thing any of us wants is to see your career destroyed, especially by people who blame you for their own fuck-ups.”

“Are you thinking it’s Ramsey and Offenbach?”

“We’ve been told to focus there first.”

“Why in the world would Ramsey team up with the guy who fired the shot that killed his son?”

“If I had to guess,” Jeannie said, “it’s because in his twisted mind, he doesn’t blame Offenbach for following an order that came from you via Malone.To Ramsey, Offenbach becomes a means to an end if it results in your downfall.”

“So sick and twisted, no matter how you look at it.I get why Ramsey would bother to go to the trouble, but explain Offenbach to me.He’s in enough trouble as it is and still has six kids to support.Why would he risk his career and pension over petty revenge?”

“We don’t know for sure that he’s involved.”

“I’m not supposed to tell anyone else this, but I have it on good authority that Offenbach is obsessed with drones.I’ve already reported it to the chief and Agent Hill.”

Jeannie’s gasp was audible.“That’s unreal, Sam.One of our own colleagues… Does he have any idea what he could be charged with if they trace that back to him?They’re treating it as a presidential assassination attempt.”

“I know.Can’t imagine what he was thinking, if it was him.”

“I’ve got to run.Malone has called an all-hands meeting to discuss the various cases and how they might be related.”

“Keep me in the loop if you can.”

“I will, and I’m sorry this is happening to you.”

“Thanks.I am, too.”

“Hang in there, and I’ll be back to you as soon as I know anything.”

“You’re the best, Deputy Chief.”

“I’m only the deputy chief because of you, and I’ll do everything in my power to figure this out for you.Count on that.”

“Love you.”

“Love you right back.”

Sam closed her phone, smiling at the fierce words from her friend.She and Jeannie had been through hell together, and knowing she had Sam’s back made her feel a thousand times better, as did the news that Malone would lead the investigation into the various cases that might or might not be related.

They were.

Sam had no doubt whatsoever about that or who was most likely behind it.

She just hoped her colleagues could prove it before her career went up in smoke, along with her reputation and everything she’d worked so hard to achieve.

Later that night,after the kids were in bed and Nick was in his office working on his nightly correspondence and preparations for the morning, Sam eyed the file Jesse Best had given her.Maybe it would help to dive into something new to get her mind off how her career was in major jeopardy while there wasn’t a damned thing she could do about it.

When she opened the file, the first thing she saw was a photo of a beautiful blonde girl who reminded her a bit of Aubrey.And just that quickly, Sam was invested.

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