Page 171 of State of Retribution

The George Washington University Hospital had been turned into a Secret Service fortress in anticipation of her arrival.

“Holy overkill, Batman,” Sam said.

“Don’t use the word ‘kill’ when you’re with your detail,” Vernon said.

Sam chuckled.“Apologies, but still… This is a lot.”

“You’ve been threatened by a talented sharpshooter.We’re not taking any chances.”

“Understood.”

“Our advance team has already cleared the way for you to get to the former Mrs.Offenbach’s room, so we’re good to go.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Sam followed Vernon inside, with Q right behind her and a bevy of other agents surrounding them.Please, God, let them find Offenbach soon so this won’t be necessary for long.She cringed at the thought of showing up at HQ with a massive entourage.

They took the elevator up to the fourth floor, where Offenbach’s ex-wife was being guarded by two FBI agents.They asked to see Sam’s ID even though they recognized her.She’d have been disappointed if they hadn’t asked.After they’d carefully examined her badge, one of them opened the door for her.“She’s expecting you.”

Inside the room, she found the woman in a hospital bed surrounded by six blond children—four boys and two girls.Sam would guess they ranged in age from a year to ten or eleven.

When she saw Sam, the woman said, “Micha, please take the kids to play.”

Toys had been arranged in the corner, and the eldest child led the others to them.

“I’m Lieutenant Holland.I heard you asked to see me.”

“Thank you for coming.”She had washed-out blonde hair and blue-gray eyes with dark circles under them.Her mouth was curved into a frown that involved her entire face.

“What’s your name?”

“Oh, sorry.It’s Laura.I’m in the process of going back to my maiden name, but legally, I’m still Offenbach.I’m going to change the children’s names, too.”

Sam kept her voice down in deference to the kids.“It’s nice to meet you, but I’m sorry for the circumstances.Are you and the children all right?”

Laura’s tone matched Sam’s so they wouldn’t be overheard.“We will be.Dylan kept us confined to that room for three days with no water, food or bathroom.He even put bars on the windows.We were in rough shape when they found us.”She gestured to the IV in her hand.“I was dehydrated, and two of the kids were, too, but they’ve bounced back quickly, thank goodness.”

“That must’ve been a terrible ordeal.”

“I thought we were going to die, but of course I couldn’t let the kids see how scared I was.”

Sam took out her notebook and pen and sat in a chair next to her bed.“How did you end up at his place in Herndon?”

“He was due for visitation and asked if I could drive them out because he had to work late.When we got there…” Her eyes filled, and she shook her head.“He held a gun to Micha’s head and threatened to kill him unless I did exactly what he told me to.”

“I’m so sorry.That’s horrifying.”

“I’ll never forget that, and neither will the older kids.”

“Your children are very well behaved.”The six of them played quietly in the corner, which didn’t seem entirely normal.She would’ve expected a little commotion.

“They’re good kids.”Her eyes filled again.“They’ve been through so much over the last year with their father moving out, the divorce and now this.”

“I understand that you haven’t spoken to anyone from the FBI yet.”

“No, I haven’t, because I don’t know who to trust.That’s why I asked to see you.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.Your husband hates me.He blames me for all his troubles.”

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