Page 29 of Shadow of Justice
“Are you surprised? He’s going to take every opportunity he can to parade Ellie Luke’s family out there. It’s only a matter of time before they realize what he’s doing.”
“Gus is going to flip out,” Sam said.
“I’m worried about that too,” I said. “Do you think he’s taking this one too personally?”
Sam met my eyes. “Don’t worry …”
“Stop,” I said. “This is me. I’m not wearing my prosecutor hat. And you can stop wearing your sheriff’s hat. I’m talking about Gus. I know your noises, Sam. Your facial expressions. And I’m asking you. As Gus’s friend too … what do youthink?”
Sam put his tablet down. His face softened. “I think Gus probably hasn’t slept since Hayden Simmons brought that damn box into our office.”
“This was his one, wasn’t it?” I asked.
“His one?”
“The case he couldn’t solve. The one that got away.”
“Gus has been a detective for a long time. He doesn’t have just one. He’s not a superhero. There are plenty of cold cases in our archives.”
“Sam … please. Don’t do that. You don’t have to protect Gus. Not from me. I told you. I’m asking as a friend. Is he okay?”
Sam frowned. “I think he will be. He’ll do his job. He’ll do it better than anybody. I’m sure I’ve said this before. If someone I loved was murdered, Gus Ritter is who I’d want on the case. Nothing about that has changed.”
“He feels responsible for Dane Fischer,” I said. “I know Gus. He’ll blame himself for ruining that man’s life.”
“Nobody ruined Dane Fischer. He didn’t go to jail. He was never even charged. Whatever issues Fischer has with his family, those are his alone.”
“Sam, come on. It’s not that simple. You heard him. It feels like Ellie’s family still thinks Fischer’s guilty. Despite what Hayden found.”
“They’ll have to get over it.”
“Just promise me you’ll keep an eye on Gus.”
“Are you asking me to look over his shoulder on this case?”
“No,” I said. “I’m asking … I don’t know what I’m asking. I’m just worried about him. And I know you are too.”
“He’ll be okay. He’ll be more than okay.”
“But if …” I didn’t get to finish the sentence. The garage door swung open and Will bounded in.
Sam started to rise. Will froze, surprised to see him.
“You’re home early,” I said. “Nick’s mom said she was taking you guys to the museum. I was …”
“It was closed,” Will said, his eyes darting between me and Sam. “Some kind of water main leak in the ladies’ room. Nick’s mom offered to take us to the zoo instead but I just wanted to come home. Did you have your own sleepover?”
“Did we …” My jaw dropped. He said it so innocently. Then I saw a twinkle in my teenage son’s eye. He enjoyed making me uncomfortable.
“Will,” Sam said. “If …”
“Relax,” Will said. “I’m not a baby. You don’t have to treat me like one. And you don’t have to wait until I’m out of here to come over. I’m good with it. Are there any English muffins left?”
“Er … yeah,” Sam said. He went over to the toaster. “You want me to make you some?”
“Yeah,” Will said. “Can you do it as a sandwich? I think we’ve got eggs and bacon in the fridge.”
“Sure can,” Sam said. He went to the fridge while Will got a frying pan from the cupboard.
