Page 153 of State of Retribution

“That’s not what I want to hear.”Sam opened the lid of the container and breathed in the fragrant scents of garlic and basil.Using the silverware he’d brought her, she cut a bite of tender eggplant.The flavors exploded on her tongue and had her going back for a second bite right away.“Holy shit, that’s good.”

“I told you.”

“Please pass along my compliments to the chef.”

“She’ll be delighted.”

He leaned forward and put a business card on her desk.“The referral you requested.”

Sam read the name on the card:Christi Trulo-Carpenter, PhD, Family therapist.

“One of yours?”

“My eldest daughter and the mother of my first two grandchildren.She specializes in youth and family therapy.”

“Convenient.”

“I thought you might say that.She’s excellent, or I wouldn’t refer her.Is one of your kids in need of help?”

“It’s for my nephew.Tracy’s son, Ethan.”

“Ah, okay.I’ll tell Christi to expect a call from Tracy and ask that she receive VIP treatment.”

“It’s nice to have friends in high places.”

“I could say the same.”

“For all the good that does me on days like today.”

“Don’t let the bullshit get to you, Sam.Focus on the job, on the cases, on the stuff that matters and try to let the rest of it go.For every Stahl, Ramsey or Offenbach, there’re hundreds of others who admire and respect what you do.”

“Are you sure about that?”she asked skeptically.

“I’m very sure.They get to say they work with the first lady.How many people in the history of the country have been able to say that who didn’t work in this building?I’ll answer that for you—zero.Trust me.They think it’s cool.”

“Judging by the support I’ve received since their insane video went live, I’m very blessed by the friends I have here.”

“Lean on us when the going gets tough and ignore the detractors.”

“I’ll do that.Thank you.”

“Any time.In other news, I’ve found an organization that’d be very happy to have the ramps from Ninth Street.Would you like me to handle that for you?”

Even though she’d known it was coming, that didn’t make it any easier to realize it was actually going to happen.“What the hell is wrong with me, getting choked up over a couple of ramps we don’t need anymore?”

“Nothing at all is wrong with you.You’ve suffered a tremendous loss, and the removal of the ramps compounds the loss.It’s the symbolism of what they represent that’s getting to you.”

“You’re right.Grief is such a bitch.”

“She sure is, but grief is nothing more than love.”

“My dad hated waste of any kind.He’d want the ramps to go to someone who could use them.Let’s make that happen.There’s a guy in the Ninth Street neighborhood who could do the removal.Nick was going to call him.We’ll put him in touch with you.”

“That’d be great.Do you want me to keep you posted on the details?”

Sam thought about that for a second and then shook her head.“I trust you to handle it, and I very much appreciate you offering to.”

“Happy to help.Now finish your lunch and get back to doing what you do best.”

---