THINGS MOVED SLOWER when SWAT was involved, and it took almost two hours to get all the players in place surrounding Baker’s Marshall Heights townhouse. They cordoned off the block so no one could come in, evacuated the houses closest to their target and told the other nearby neighbors to shelter in place. They worked in almost-total silence so as not to alert their target that they were coming for him.
Since Klein was hiding out, they weren’t afraid of him trying to leave. They took their time to get it right and to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.
Captain Nickleson, the SWAT commander, came over to Sam. “We’re ready when you are.”
“Do it.”
Because they knew Klein was in there, it’d been decided that SWAT would breach the house through every available door and window at the same time to take him completely by surprise and lessen the possibility of him firing on them. Hopefully, they’d have him neutralized before he could reach for his gun. That was the goal anyway. There were a million ways things like this could go sideways.
Nickleson gave the order, and Sam held her breath watching the synchronized way in which the SWAT team moved in. The sound of glass breaking shattered the silence.
One by one, team members reported in with areas of the house that had been cleared until the one report they’d wanted most was delivered: “Target located and neutralized.”
“Got him,” Nickleson said euphorically, moving toward the front door to be there when his team brought Klein out in shackles.
Klein’s dark hair stood on end, his face was unshaven, and he wore only boxer shorts. He kept his head down.
“Got him out of bed, sir,” one of the officers said, handing over a large cooler with a shoulder strap. “He had this on the bed with him.”
Donning gloves, Sam opened the cooler to find stacks of cash that would probably add up to a hundred thousand dollars.
“Well done,” Nickleson said.
“We’ll take it from here,” Sam said, nodding to Cruz and Green to take their prisoner. “Thanks for the assist, Cap.”
“Always happy to help take another scumbag off the streets,” Nickleson said.
“This one is particularly scummy,” Sam said, watching as Cruz and Green loaded him into the back of a Patrol car for the ride to HQ.
They’d gotten him. That’s all that mattered to her, but along with the arrest came the realization that she no longer had a reason to keep Aubrey and Alden in her custody. They could safely be released to family members, which tempered the elation she normally experienced at closing a difficult case.
She trudged back to her car, where she sat in silence for a long time before she opened her phone to call Ms. Finklestein. When the woman answered, Sam said, “I wanted to let you know that we’ve closed the case, and we’re confident we have the men who killed the Beauclairs in custody. The family members will also want to know that Mr. Beauclair’s former business partner, Duke Piedmont, has been apprehended and is in federal custody on insider trading and other charges. He’s been cleared of any involvement in the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Beauclair.”
“Congratulations, Lieutenant. The entire city will breathe easier knowing the men who carried out this heinous crime have been caught.”
“Thank you,” Sam said, feeling hollow in her victory.
“Mrs. Beauclair’s sister and brother-in-law are due to arrive early this evening. As you can imagine, they will be eager to see the children.”
Sam had nothing to say to that. They hadn’t been eager to see the children when their parents were first killed, but now that there was no threat of danger, they’d be right there for them, not to mention the billions of dollars that would come with them. Sam was prepared to hate these people on sight. “That’s fine,” she said. “What’re their full names? I’ll alert the Secret Service that you’ll be bringing them by.
“Monique and Robert Lawson.”
Sam wrote down the names.
“I know it’ll be difficult for you to say goodbye to the children,” Ms. Finklestein said, “but we find that children in these circumstances do better when they’re placed with family members.”
Sam wanted to demand that she produce the evidence to back up that statement. What did “do better” mean? Better than what? But she didn’t ask the questions that burned the tip of her tongue. Instead she said, “We’ll make sure they’re ready.”
* * *
AN HOUR LATER, she stood outside the main entrance to HQ briefing the media on what had transpired Monday afternoon and evening at the Beauclairs’ Chevy Chase home, and the steps taken to apprehend the two men responsible for the murders of Jameson and Cleo Armstrong. For the first time, Sam made the couple’s true identity public, running through a condensed version of why the couple had relocated and changed their names.
“In addition to the arrests of Mr. Baker and Mr. Klein, the FBI has apprehended the former business partner of Mr. Armstrong. Duke Piedmont had been a fugitive from justice for more than three years after being charged with insider trading and other crimes associated with APG, the former company owned by the two men.”
After she had run through a summary of the details of the case, the reporters began peppering her with questions about the investigation, the men they had charged with murder, arson, aggravated assault, sexual assault, kidnapping and other charges. She answered each question that came her way, giving as much information as she could without compromising the case.
“What will happen to the Armstrongs’ two minor children?” Darren Tabor asked.
“Social Services is working with Mrs. Armstrong’s extended family to place them with family members.” Sam felt detached as she said the words, as if she didn’t have a personal stake in what became of the children. It was time to start taking a step back from the “littles,” as Nick had called them.
After she’d dealt with the media, she went back inside to oversee the completion of the paperwork. As she reviewed the reports that her team had generated, the words began to swim the way they did when she was tired or stressed. Sam closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, as exhaustion swooped in.
What a week, and it was still only Thursday.
She took a deep breath and let it out before picking up the phone to call Nick.
“Hey, babe,” he said. “I saw your press conference.”
“Sorry you had to hear about us closing the case on TV. Everything happened fast.”
“No worries. I’m just glad it’s done for the sake of everyone involved.”
“Yeah.”
“You okay?”
“Never better. Ms. Finklestein will be bringing the aunt and uncle to get the kids at some point this evening. Can you ask the Secret Service to put their names on the list? Monique and Robert Lawson.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“This blows,” she said, sighing.
“Yeah, it really does, but we’re going to be okay, Samantha. Maybe the aunt and uncle will allow us to keep in touch with the kids.”
“That’d be nice,” she said, feeling sadder by the minute. “I’ll be home soon. Just tying up a few loose ends here.”
“We’ll be waiting for you.”
“That’s the only thing getting me through this day. See you soon.” As she ended the call with Nick, Lindsey appeared in her doorway.
“Good news from the lab,” Lindsey said. “Baker was a match for DNA found on a glass and fork at the scene.”
“That’s very good news.”
“I took a sample from Klein and have sent it to the lab with orders to expedite.”
“Thanks, Lindsey.”
“Knowing what he’d done to those poor people, it was all I could do not to stab him in the eye while I had him.”
“I know that feeling.”
“Lieutenant!”
The shout from the pit had Sam standing and rushing toward Cameron Green’s cubical, with Lindsey right behind her. Over Green’s shoulder, she watched the long-awaited security video from the bank where Klein had taken Cleo to get the money. She watched as he stood by her side while the teller counted stacks of money, turning them over one at a time to Cleo, who put them in the tote bags she had brought with her. Seeing her lovely and alive and terribly afraid touched Sam deeply.
Klein stood close enough to her that Sam deduced he had a gun on her the entire time.
Every thirty or so seconds, Cleo stretched her neck to look out to the parking lot, no doubt trying to check on her children, who were in the car with Baker.
“How could the teller not know something was wrong?” Sam asked, shaking her head.
“She did know,” Green said. “The manager refused to allow her to call it in because he didn’t want to deal with the hassle from their corporate office. She’s a single mom who needs the job, so she did what she was told, but she feels awful about it.”
“I want the manager charged with failing to report a crime in progress,” Sam said.
“I’d be happy to file those charges,” Green said.
Sam glanced at Jeannie, who was wiping away tears as she watched the video. As a sexual assault survivor, the case had no doubt brought up a lot of difficult memories for Jeannie.
Sam hugged her.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Don’t ever apologize.” To the others, she said, “This was a tough one, people. If you need help, please ask for it. You all did great work, as usual. Detective Cruz, you’re done for the week. Go on home and enjoy every minute of your wedding weekend. We’re looking forward to helping you and Elin celebrate.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” he said with a warm smile.
“The rest of you can go as soon as the reports are filed. Let’s get this wrapped up.”
* * *
SAM WAS ALMOST home when she received a call from Ms. Finklestein.
“There’s been a development,” the other woman said, sounding stressed.
“What kind of development?” Sam asked, immediately on edge.
“I received a call from Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong’s personal attorney, who provided the couple’s custody provisions for the children in the event of their deaths.”
Sam waited breathlessly to hear what she would say.
“They left all decisions concerning custody and guardianship of the minor children in the hands of Mr. Armstrong’s elder son, Elijah.”
Sam felt like Alice must’ve as she fell into the rabbit hole of hope and despair and uncertainty.
“I don’t think he knows that,” Sam said. “He hasn’t said anything about it.”
“The attorney, who is in California and only heard the news about the murders from your press conference today, confirmed that Elijah doesn’t know. Apparently, his father and stepmother didn’t want him burdened by the weight of that potential responsibility while he was in college. They wanted him to be free to live his own life, but according to the attorney, they were very clear that they wanted him—and only him—to decide what should be done with the children. He is sending me a copy of their instructions now.”
“I’m almost home and will let him know about this.” Sam was waved through the Secret Service checkpoint at the end of Ninth Street and pulled into her assigned parking spot, her mind racing with possible outcomes and implications.
“The Lawsons have arranged for hotel rooms for themselves and the children for the coming week, so they have time to pack up the children’s possessions and attend the memorial service that’s being planned for next Friday.”
“I’ll pass that on to Elijah.”
“I’ll be there shortly with the Lawsons, who think they’re coming to pick up the children.”
Not so quick, Sam wanted to say, but she refused to think beyond the next ten to fifteen minutes. One step at a time, as she would say when investigating a case.
As she walked up the ramp, she left Lieutenant Holland behind and stepped into her favorite role as Mrs. Cappuano, Nick’s wife and Scotty’s mom. “Evening, Nate,” she said to the agent at the door.
“Evening, Mrs. Cappuano.”
She walked through the door he held for her and into bedlam. Nick, Scotty and Elijah were on the floor, under attack from Aubrey and Alden, whose joyful laughter was all she could hear.
Shelby stood on the sidelines with Noah, laughing at their antics.
Sam could only stand there and watch, as a profound feeling of completeness came over her.
“Uh-oh,” Scotty said, as Alden pinned him down. “Mom’s home! Mom! Rescue me from the little monster!”
“I’m coming, son! Hold on!” She leaned over Scotty to pry Alden off him. “Got him,” Sam said, kissing Alden’s cute face.
He giggled and squirmed until she put him down. The second his feet hit the floor, he was in the air again, this time aiming for Elijah, who responded with an “ooph” as his brother landed on him.
“Nice to see them laughing,” Shelby said when Sam joined her and Noah on the sidelines. The baby kicked his feet wildly, clearly wanting in on the action on the floor.
“It sure is.” Sam gave them a few more minutes to play before she asked Elijah if she could have a word with him. She gestured for Nick to come too.
“Scotty, they’re all yours,” Nick said when he got up off the floor.
“They don’t scare me,” Scotty said as both kids jumped on top of him.
Nick and Elijah followed Sam into the kitchen.
“They wore me out,” Nick said.
“You’re getting to see them the way they usually are,” Elijah said with a small smile. “First thing we usually do when I come home is have a big wrestling match. They love it.”
“They obviously love you very much,” Sam said.
“And I love them. I was an only child who’d always wished for siblings until I was fifteen and got two on the same day. Best day of my life.” He combed the hair back from his face, which was red from exertion.
“There’ve been a few developments,” Sam said.
“Nick told me you got the guys that killed my dad and Cleo.”
“We did.”
“Did they say why they did it?”
“We believe it was motivated by money.”
Elijah sighed and looked down at the floor. “My dad would’ve given them everything he had if it meant keeping Cleo and the kids safe.”
“From what we were told, he offered them a substantial amount of money, but it took too long to get it.”
Tears filled his eyes as he shook his head in disbelief. “Do people think it’s just sitting in vaults inside the house?”
“There’s something else,” Sam said tentatively. “Two things, actually. The FBI has Duke Piedmont in custody.” She filled him in on why Piedmont had come to the area.
“I’d like to say I’m surprised to hear my dad was back in touch with Piedmont, but I’m not as shocked as I should be. They were so close back in the day. Even after everything that happened and the threats Piedmont made, my dad still mourned the loss of their friendship. They went through so much together, and my dad never got over what he had to do to Duke in order to save himself from prosecution. He would’ve welcomed the chance to make things right with Duke—and to eliminate the threat that’d hung over all our lives these last few years.”
“For what it’s worth, the FBI agents involved in his case said his grief over learning of the deaths of your father and Cleo was genuine,” Sam said.
“In my mind, he’s been a monster. It’s good to know that maybe he had some humanity left after all.” Elijah glanced at Sam. “You said there were two other things.”
“The second thing involves custody of your siblings.”
“What about it?” he asked, instantly on full alert.
“Apparently, your dad and Cleo designated you as their legal guardian in the event that anything should happen to them.”
“Me?” he asked softly as his brown eyes went wide with shock.
Sam nodded.
Elijah sat in a chair someone had left pulled out from the table. “Why would they choose me when I can barely take care of myself?”
Sam sat next to him. “Probably because they knew you love them as much as they did.”
Propping his elbows on his knees, Elijah dropped his head into his hands. “I don’t know if I can do it. I’m only twenty and not even through college. They need so much.”
Nick rested a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “I don’t think anyone expects you to step up personally for them if you’re not prepared to do so. There’re other options.”
“Such as?” Elijah asked, glancing at Nick.
“Appoint guardians to stand in for you until you’re ready to assume responsibility for them.”
“Cleo’s sister and brother-in-law are on their way here now,” Sam said. “Ms. Finklestein is bringing them by shortly.”
Elijah contemplated that for a quiet minute before he looked up at Sam. “When I called Cleo’s parents to tell them what’d happened, no one asked about the kids. They didn’t ask where they were or if they were all right or what would become of them. They said they’d told Cleo this was going to happen, and she should’ve left my dad when they told her to.” He wiped away tears. “She loved my dad. She never would’ve left him. How do I let my brother and sister go to live with people who were more concerned about being right than they were about two kids who were suddenly orphaned?”
“They’re more than welcome to stay with us as long as they need to,” Nick said.
Sam could barely breathe while she waited to hear what Elijah would say.
“You’ve both been so generous toward the kids and me, but we’ve already put you out enough. I can’t ask that of you. It’s not your problem.”
“We’d like it to be,” Nick said, glancing at Sam, who took his hand and held on tightly. “We’ve talked about how much we all love them and would do anything we could to get them through this difficult time.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m so overwhelmed right now.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Sam said. “Do whatever you think is right, knowing you have our full support. Nick and I will be there for you and for the kids, no matter where they end up. I’m sorry to say you’re stuck with us.”
Elijah gave her a weak grin. “You’ve been so incredibly nice. All of you. I don’t know how we would’ve gotten through this week without both of you, Shelby and Scotty. Even the Secret Service agents have been amazing.”
“You should talk to Cleo’s sister and her husband,” Nick said. “Spend some time with them and see how it feels. You don’t have to decide anything today or even tomorrow.”
Sam wanted to say, No, no, no! Don’t spend time with uncaring people. Leave those babies right here with us, where they’re safe and loved and protected from anything that could harm them! But she couldn’t say any of those things. She had to bite her tongue and let this play out the way it was meant to.
“I suppose that would only be fair since they came all this way,” Elijah said.
“I’ll give you a piece of advice that I often refer back to when investigating a case,” Sam said. “One step at a time. Take each thing as it comes and give yourself the time to process it before you move on to the next. The aunt and uncle have hotel reservations for the coming week, so they have time to pack up the children’s belongings and to attend a memorial service that’s being held next Friday. Are you aware of that?”
He nodded. “Some of my dad’s business associates offered to arrange the service for us. I said that was fine, because I have no idea how to go about handling that. I gave them Cleo’s parents’ phone number, so they could include her family.”
“That buys you some time to make sure you’re making the best possible decision for the kids,” Nick said.
“You don’t know us at all, and you’ve all been so amazing. I can never thank you enough.”
“We’re here if you need us.” Nick squeezed Elijah’s shoulder. “There’s no expiration date on that offer.”
“Thank you,” Elijah said softly.