Page 87 of State of Retribution

Both scenarios sounded too preposterous to be real, but now that Vernon and Debra had introduced the possibilities, they became more plausible by the second.Vernon was right.She did follow a similar routine every time she picked up a new case.Process the scene, visit the family, track down friends, coworkers and others who knew the victim, rinse and repeat.

If X person was killed, it wouldn’t be hard to determine where she was apt to turn up next and to lie in wait for her at that location.

A lump formed in her throat at realizing how easy it would be to predict her movements and those of her team.Not to mention she never should’ve left her family when they were upset about her being shot at, especially with Aubrey showing signs of distress at school.

“Vernon.”

“Yes, Sam?”

“Take me home.”

“What?”

“Please take me home.”

He glanced at her in the mirror.

She met his gaze and gave a small nod.

At the next traffic light, he made a U-turn.

Chapter Seventeen

Sam texted Freddie and Gonzo.Vernon thinks it’s possible this is about luring me so someone can take me out.That, in turn, would drive Nick out of office.Or the goal is to drive me out of the MPD.I can’t endanger my detail and all of you by making us an easy target.I’m sitting this one out.Gonzo, you’re in charge for the time being.I’m available to consult and work the case from home.I’m sorry about this.

Freddie wrote back first.Holy shit, Sam.You really think either of those things is possible?

Vernon made a good point.He said my movements are predictable any time we get a new case.It’s more than possible and could be tied to the thwarted drone attack, too.Who knows at this point?But I’m not risking it—or any of the people who work with me, or the ones assigned to keeping me safe.

She texted the same information to Jeannie, the chief and Malone.

What is this world coming to?the chief responded.Work from home, and do what you can until we know more.

Her phone rang with a call from Archie.“Hey, how’s Harlowe?”

“I was talking to Gonzo when he got your text.Do you really think this could be someone trying to get at you?”

“I don’t know that it isn’t, and until I do, I’m taking myself out of the game.”

“So Harlowe was attacked, raped, assaulted… because someone was trying to get toyou?”

Sam’s stomach ached fiercely at the accusatory tone in his voice.She didn’t blame him for being outraged.“I… I don’t know, Archie.It was mentioned to me as a possibility.We still don’t know if her case is related to the others.”

“You were shot at while investigatinghers.”

“Yes, but…”

“Christ, Sam.If someone planned this, they know we’re friends… They followed me, saw me with her… They might know she’s here now.”

Her mouth had gone totally dry.“I don’t know, Archie.If it’s true… I…”

How in the world would she ever spend another day as a member of the Metropolitan Police Department if it was true?

“I’ve got to go.”

The line went dead before she could respond.Although what, exactly, could she say?

Back at the White House, the SUV was stopped at the gate as the agents insisted on checking the vehicle, which had never happened before.

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