Page 89 of State of Retribution

Former Secretary of State Martin Ruskin, fired after a scandal involving the Iranians during Nick’s first week in office.

Former Attorney General Reginald Cox, fired for gambling on the job and blocking an investigation that would’ve revealed his vice.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Michael Wilson, fired for conspiring to overthrow the Cappuano administration.Charged with multiple felonies and dishonorably discharged from the military.

Former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Nathan Goldstein, conspiring to overthrow the Cappuano administration and arranging for the (failed) murder of Navy Lieutenant Commander Juan Rodriguez.Charged with multiple felonies and dishonorably discharged from the military.

Any combination of the people on Nick’s list and hers could’ve put something like this together, and she was determined to find out who was killing innocent people in an attempt to get at her—and Nick by extension.If that was even the motive.She still didn’t know for sure, but the more she turned it around in her mind, the more plausible it became.

Next, she composed a text message to FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Avery Hill, alerting him to her investigation and asking for whatever help the Bureau could provide.She’d send that message first thing in the morning, which was now a mere three hours away.He’d returned to limited duty after recently sustaining a gunshot wound to the shoulder in the Harlan Peckham case.

Nick’s hands landed on her shoulders, making her startle.“You need to get some rest, babe.”

“I couldn’t possibly sleep right now.”

“Would you try?For me?”

She was wound so tightly, she felt like she might implode at any second, but as he needed sleep even more than she did, she gave a quick nod and let him help her up.

Sam went through the motions of brushing her teeth and changing her clothes.When she got in bed, he reached for her, indicating he wanted her to curl up to him, to fall asleep with his arms around her, but she didn’t want even him to touch her, so she stayed where she was.

He turned on his side to face her.“Samantha… Sweetheart, it’s not your fault.”

“It’s not yours either.”

“Neither of us has done a single thing other than our jobs.If someone is coming for you or us, that’s on them, not us.”

“That’s damned hard to swallow when a young Secret Service agent is in the hospital tonight recovering from wounds that very easily could’ve been fatal.Weeks before his first child is due, no less.”

“Not your fault.Not mine.”

“Tell it to four innocent families mourning loved ones murdered for no good reason.Tell it to Archie’s girlfriend, Harlowe, who’s forever changed by what was done to her, even if she doesn’t remember it yet.”

“It’s a terrible thing no matter how we look at it.But we don’t even know yet if it’s related or if it has anything to do with you or us.”

“Of course it does.The second Vernon mentioned the possibility, it all snapped into focus for me.”

“And while I can see the logic in it, until there’s some sort of proof, that’s all it is—a possibility.”

“I feel it in my gut, Nick.It’s related.My gut is hardly ever wrong.”

“I hate to remind you of things you’d rather forget, but it was recently wrong about that woman’s daughters being involved in her murder.”

She huffed out a laugh.“Wow, that’s a low blow.”

“I don’t mean it to be, but it’s a reminder that sometimes the evidence leads in another direction, and before you flog yourself to within an inch of your own life, let’s wait to see what the evidence shows.”

“You’re not entirely wrong.”

“Just kinda wrong?”

“Something like that.”After a long pause, she said, “Thank you for talking me down a little bit.”

“I want you to know that I understand, better than anyone else ever could, how awful it feels to be responsible for something happening to someone you care about—or even people you’ve never met.I get it.”

“You mean Juan.”

“Among others.I’ve lost service members, too.”

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