Page 69 of State of Retribution

The flood of relief made her dizzy for a second.“Thank God.”

Vernon came to open the back door for her.“Yes, indeed.”

For a long moment, the two of them stared at each other in a shared communion over the near catastrophe.

“Are you all right?”she asked.

“If you are and Jimmy is, I am, too.”

He was clearly shaken, though, which was to be expected.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

“I’m going to catch hell for it, but I’ll remind them we have a deal with you and an obligation to honor it.”

She reached out to him.

He took her hand.

“I hope you know how much I’ve come to care for you and Jimmy.”

“We know, and the feeling is mutual.I’m sorry this happened today.”

“It’s sure as hell not your fault.”

“I still feel responsible.”

“Don’t take that on.A wise man once told me we can only control our own actions and how we react to the actions of others.”

“He was a wise man, indeed.”

As she got out of the vehicle, Sam would give anything for one of that wise man’s bear hugs and the reassurance that’d always come with them.

Chapter Fourteen

Vernon walked inside with her.

Lindsey came out of the morgue to hug Sam.“Thank goodness you’re all right.How’s Jimmy?”

“Injured, but not life-threatening.”

“That’s great news.”

“For sure.”

“Are you doing okay?”

“I’m just dandy.”

Lindsey shook her head, her dismay apparent.“I can’t believe someone would have the nerve to shoot at you.”

“You can’t?Really?”

“Well, I can, but goddamn them to hell for it.”

Sam smiled at her friend.“Love you.”

“Love you, too.Thanks for not getting shot.”

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