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“I’ve known you long enough to have seen the toll it takes on you when she rears her ugly head. Are you holding up okay?”
He shrugged. “I tell myself it is what it is, but she never fails to crawl under my skin.”
“I hate that for you. We all do.”
“Thanks. You should go home to Tommy and Alex. This place will still be here in the morning.”
“I was just getting ready to go. Angela insisted on having Alex. Tommy just picked him up.”
“Ang is trying to get back to normal, and she adores Alex.”
“She’s wonderful with him, but I worry she’s got enough to deal with without another little one underfoot.”
“She’d tell you that Alex keeps Ella entertained, so it’s a win-win.”
“I suppose so. I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”
“I know. It’s awful and so tragic.”
“I think all the time about ‘there but for the grace of God go I,’ you know?” Christina said.
“I’m sure it strikes close to home.”
Tommy Gonzales’s battle with opioid addiction following the senseless murder of his partner, Detective Arnold, had been brutal for him and everyone who loved him, especially Christina.
“We got so lucky,” she said softly. “So, so lucky.”
“Thank goodness for that.”
She nodded.
“I won’t keep you any longer,” he said. “Just wanted to thank you for having my back.”
“Always.”
They’d met as young congressional staffers. He and Sam considered her and Tommy family. “Having you, Terry, Derek and Harry by my side in this surreal new reality makes all the difference for me. I hope you know that.”
“We do, and we’re so damned proud of you.”
“That means a lot. Thank you. Now go home. That’s an order.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. President.”
He gave her a playful scowl as he left her office and headed for the residence with Brant walking beside him. “Another day in paradise, Brant.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have you heard anything about the situation with she-who-shall-not-be-named?”
“A friend in the FBI mentioned there may be other charges forthcoming. I’m sure you’ll receive a briefing on it as soon as the information is solid.”
“I’ll look forward to that,” Nick said in a tone laced with sarcasm.
“I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, sir.”
“I’m sorry, too.”
Brant walked him to the top of the stairs. “Have a good evening, sir.”
