Fatal Series 00 - Fatal Destiny

totally screwed me over. And then my vic refused to testify. I’ve always suspected Miller said something to her.”
    That part was news to Sam. Faith had never mentioned advising the victim not to testify. In light of what Faith had told her, Sam demised that it was far more likely that Garner had threatened his victim. “Would it be possible to get your file and notes on the case?”
    “For what purpose?”
    “I’m looking into a cold case, and his name came up.”
    He thought it over. “Give me a minute.”
    “That’s about all I have. Should I come back tomorrow?”
    “I have it handy. I’ll be right back.” He returned and handed her the file. “You’ll get it back to me?”
    “Absolutely. Appreciate the courtesy.”
    “If you wouldn’t mind, keep me in the loop. What happened with this one… it stays with you, you know?”
    Sam thought of Quentin Johnson. “I do know, and I’ll be happy to keep you informed.”
    “You’re quite the little star around here.”
    Taken aback by his tone, Sam weighed her words carefully. “If you say so.”
    “Must be nice.”
    Okay, there was no denying the snide that time. “Something on your mind, Detective?”
    “No, ma’am.”
    Sam made a mental note to look into Ramsey’s career trajectory—or lack thereof. She was easily twenty years younger and outranked him by two grades, which she suspected was one reason for his derision.
    “Congratulations,” he said, seeming to make an effort to be more conciliatory. “On your wedding.”
    “Thank you. Speaking of that, I’m late. Thanks again for the information.”
    He nodded, and she felt his eyes—and those of everyone in the division—on her as she made her way through the maze of cubicles.
    Well, that was pleasant . If there was one thing about her new life with Nick that Sam couldn’t bear it was all the press scrutiny of their relationship. It was relentless and had brought her far more attention than she wanted or needed as a cop. She put up with it because she knew it furthered Nick’s campaign and career, but it didn’t do much for hers.
    On the way to Tinker Bell’s fashionable Georgetown storefront, Sam made an effort to shake off the unsettling day and slip into bride mode. Even though she’d had the big white wedding once before and would’ve been perfectly satisfied to fly off to Vegas and elope, this would be Nick’s first marriage. In the six weeks since she’d lost a bet with him and let him set their wedding date, she’d often had to remind herself that she was doing all this for him.
    Sam hustled into the store at ten after the hour. Waiting for her were her sisters Tracy and Angela, who was round with her second pregnancy, as well as Tracy’s daughters, fifteen-year-old Brooke and seven-year-old Abby, who were serving as Sam’s junior bridesmaids. As usual lately, Brooke looked put out by the whole thing while Abby glowed with excitement. She came running when she saw Sam.
    “Sam! You’re here!”
    “Hey, doll face.” Sam scooped up the little girl and twirled her around, her heart clutching when she remembered the conversation with Faith. While she’d like to think she knew exactly what she would’ve done in the same situation, Abby’s chubby arms around her neck and the scent of strawberry shampoo clinging to her blond curls gave Sam pause. Was there anything she wouldn’t do to protect this child? To protect any of the four children she loved with all her heart?
    No, there wasn’t. As Abby clung to her, Sam understood why Faith had done what she did.
    “Oh, there you are, honey.” Sam’s stepmother Celia stepped out from a back room wearing the lavender mother-of-the-bride gown they’d chosen weeks earlier.
    “Looks fantastic, Celia.” Sam put Abby down to take a measuring look at the woman who’d married her father on Valentine’s Day. Celia had auburn hair, green eyes and a heart-shaped face that was flushed with excitement at the moment.
    “I love it too.”
    Shelby Faircloth came into the room, dressed in yet another of her endless supply of pink power suits and sky-high heels. Even with the heels, the petite blonde barely reached Sam’s shoulder. “Oh yay,” she said, clapping when she saw Sam. “Everyone’s here. Let’s get started.”
    “Oh yay,” Brooke said with a sneer for Shelby.
    Since she was bringing up the rear, Sam witnessed the smack upside the head Tracy gave her oldest daughter. “Snap out of it,” Tracy said in a low