Fatal Deception Read Free Page A

rang.
    “Crap,” she said with a regretful look for him. “It’s dispatch.”
    “There goes our day off,” Nick said to Shelby. While Sam was occupied, he talked salary with Shelby.
    In a state of shock, Sam listened to the rote recitation of details from dispatch.
    Nick glanced up at her. “What is it, babe?”
    Her voice was little more than a whisper when she said, “Victoria Kavanaugh has been murdered.”

Chapter Two
    “Do you know what happened?” Nick asked as they raced to their Capitol Hill home in a cab, so they could pick up a car.
    Sam knew he was thinking of his close friend, White House deputy chief of staff Derek Kavanaugh, and Derek’s gorgeous, vivacious wife.
    “Derek came home after weekend meetings at Camp David and found her on the kitchen floor. Hang on a sec.” She held up a finger. “Cruz, we’ve got a homicide.” Sam rattled off the particulars to her partner. “See you there.”
    “What about Maeve?” Nick asked of the Kavanaugh’s baby daughter.
    “She wasn’t in the house.”
    “So she’s...”
    “We don’t know. Victoria could’ve left her with someone or—”
    “Technically she’s missing then.”
    “At the moment.”
    “Jesus,” Nick whispered. “Poor Derek.”
    Sam stared out the window as the city flashed by in a blur of buildings and people. A thick haze of humidity hung over the District. The locals called this time of year the dog days of summer. When the cab pulled up in front of their house, Nick tossed a bill at the driver. They rushed to his car, which was closer than hers.
    “It took months for him to get up the nerve to ask her out,” Nick said as he drove the two blocks to the Kavanaugh’s home.
    Sam reached for Nick’s hand and held it between both of hers. “I’m so sorry. She was lovely. I can’t imagine what he must be going through.”
    He glanced over at her. “You won’t look at him for this, will you?”
    “I’ll have to question him, but if he was with the president when she was killed, I’d say he’s got a pretty solid alibi.”
    “And Maeve?”
    “Finding her will be our top priority.”
    “Is it okay if I call Harry?” he asked of his and Derek’s mutual friend. “Derek would want him there.”
    “Sure. I don’t see any problem with that.”
    When they alighted from the car, a patrol officer met them on the sidewalk.
    “What’ve we got?” Sam asked.
    “Lieutenant.” The young officer nodded to Nick. “Mr. Kavanaugh returned home after two days at Camp David to find his wife dead on the kitchen floor. Their thirteen-month-old daughter was missing from the home. He’s been calling the child’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends to see if anyone has her.” The officer gestured to Derek, who was on the phone, pacing back and forth on the sidewalk in front of the house he’d shared with Victoria and their daughter.
    “Thank you.” She pointed to Nick. “The senator is with me.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    They went over to Derek, who visibly crumbled when he saw them coming toward him. He quickly ended his call.
    “Someone killed Vic,” he said, incredulous.
    “I’m so sorry.” Nick embraced his friend and held him as he sobbed helplessly.
    Never comfortable with grief, Sam hung back and let her husband do what he did best while she itched to get inside and get to work. Nick held on to Derek for a long time, speaking softly, assuring him they’d do anything they could for him and Maeve.
    “I can’t find Maeve,” Derek said between sobs. “No one has her. Vic said they were having a girls’ weekend while I was working... If only I’d been here. Who could’ve done this?”
    “We don’t know yet, Derek,” Sam said. “But I promise you we’ll find out, and we’ll find Maeve.” She assured him despite the sinking feeling in her belly. The child could be anywhere by now. She pushed that depressing thought to the side and forced herself to focus. “I need your help.”
    “Whatever I can