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“It’s all so senseless,” Sam said. “I can’t stop thinking about their parents getting that news, thinking their kids were safe on a military base, far away from conflict. It’s so horrible.”
“It really is. I’m sorry it happened and that Nick feels responsible. If anything, that shows what a compassionate leader he is.”
“Try telling that to the people fueling this illegitimacy fire. He said last night maybe he should just step aside, and I reminded him that another unelected leader is in line behind him, so it wouldn’t solve the problem. It would only make the country more unstable.”
“Look at you becoming the adroit political wife.”
“That’s a big word for such a young grasshopper.”
“What is? Political?”
“Adroit,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not even sure I know what that means.”
“Savvy.”
“Ah, yes, I am that.”
“Cripes, that was a softball.”
“And I hit it out of the park.”
“Whatever. So do you have to go there?”
“Yes,” she said, sighing. “Nick is figuring out when.”
“I don’t envy you guys that task. So why’d you call me, anyway?”
“Because I miss you and your sharp wit.”
“Try again.”
“I’m wondering about what’s up with the search at Stahl’s house.”
He filled her in on everything he’d learned earlier in the day about Stahl’s background and the disappearance of his half brother.
“How much you want to bet he was involved with that?”
“We have no doubt. Brendan Sullivan had no info on where Stahl’s mother lives these days, and I can’t find any sign of her anywhere.”
“Maybe she changed her name after prison.”
“That’s a possibility. How do you feel after hearing what he went through as a kid?”
“Sad for someone who tried to kill me.”
“I felt the same way. While it doesn’t excuse the things he’s done, at least there’s a scintilla of reason behind it. In other news, they’ve discovered paperwork for a storage unit. We’re awaiting a warrant to get in there. We’re terrified about what we might find.”
“God, I can’t even imagine.”
“The forensic excavation teams have arrived to work the site in his yard. Haggerty and his squad are working around the clock.”
“Has the media caught wind yet?”
“Not that I’ve heard, but Public Affairs is in all-day meetings with the brass to figure out timing on that. You could ask Jeannie what’s going on.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks for the update. I think.”
“And get this, Stahl’s sister is threatening to file suit against the department because we kicked her and her kids out of the house. I sort of felt for her when I met her yesterday. She’s caught up in his stuff the same way we are.”
