Fatal Series 01 - Fatal Affair

Sam’s stomach burned as she headed for the morgue exit, anxious to avoid the press and get home to Nick. The prospect of a boisterous Sunday dinner with her sisters and their families was looking better all the time. She was on her way to a clean escape when Chief Farnsworth stopped her in the lobby.
    “I’m glad I caught you, Sergeant. You need to give the media ten minutes.”
    She groaned.
    “In the aftermath of the bombing, you have to show the public you’re alive and actively engaged in the O’Connor case—and you’ve got to let them know you’ve cleared Terry O’Connor before the president himself starts calling for my ass in a sling.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “They’ll ask about Nick.”
    Rubbing her hand over her gut, she looked out at the media circus that had taken over the plaza. “I can handle it.”
    “I’ll be right there with you.”
    “Thank you,” she said, knowing his presence would send the signal that the department was firmly behind her.
    “You’re pale. Do you need a minute?”
    “No.” She breathed through the pain and buttoned up her coat. “Let’s get it over with.” The chief followed her into the maelstrom.
    The reporters went wild, screaming questions at her.
    Chief Farnsworth held up a hand to quiet them. “Sergeant Holland will answer your questions if you give her the chance.”
    As Sam stepped up to the microphone, the crowd fell silent. “Today, we ruled out Terry O’Connor as a suspect in his brother’s murder. We have a number of other persons of interest we’re looking at closely.” She really wished that was true, but she couldn’t exactly tell the media that the investigation had hit a dead end.
    “Can you tell us who they are?”
    “Not without compromising the investigation. As soon as we’re able to give you more, we will.”
    “Is there anything else you can tell us about the O’Connor investigation?”
    “Not at this time.”
    “How close are you to making an arrest?”
    “Not as close as I’d like to be, but it’s far more important that we build a case that’ll hold up in court rather than rush to judgment.”
    “Why did Detective Cruz go to Chicago?”
    “No comment.” No way was she handing them Thomas O’Connor. They would have to figure that one out for themselves.
    “Did the Johnson family play a role in yesterday’s bombing?”
    “No. We’ve made an arrest that’s unrelated to the Johnsons.” She looked down and summoned the strength to get through this. “My ex-husband, Peter Gibson, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder—among numerous other charges—in the bombing.”
    “Why’d he do it?” one of the reporters shouted.
    “We believe he was enraged by my relationship with Mr. Cappuano.”
    “Did you know Mr. Cappuano before this week?”
    Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to stay calm and to not make their day by getting emotional. “We met years ago and had a brief relationship.”
    “Did you tell your superior officers that you’d had a past relationship with a material witness?” asked Darren Tabor from the Washington Star . He’d been particularly harsh toward her in his reporting after the Johnson disaster.
    Sam’s fingers tightened around the edges of the podium. “I did not.”
    “Why?”
    “I was determined to close the O’Connor case and believed Mr. Cappuano’s assistance would be invaluable, which it has been. Thanks to his help, I’m much further along than I would’ve been without it.”
    “Still, aren’t you walking a fine ethical line especially in light of the publicity you received after the Johnson case?” Tabor asked with a smirk.
    “If you examine my more than twelve-year record, you’ll find my behavior to be above reproach.”
    “Until recently.”
    “Your judgment,” Sam said, working to keep her cool while making a mental note to check on his unpaid parking tickets. Issuing a warrant for his arrest would give her tremendous joy.
    “Is it true Mr. Cappuano is the beneficiary of a sizable life insurance policy taken out by the senator?” Tabor asked.
    Sam clenched her teeth. How the hell had that leaked? “Yes.”
    “Doesn’t that give you a motive?”
    “Maybe if he had known about it.”
    “You believe he didn’t?”
    “He was as surprised by it as we were. Mr. Cappuano has been cleared of any involvement in the senator’s murder.”
    “Is it serious between you and Cappuano?” Sam wanted to groan when she recognized the