“Yes.And I’m so afraid for him.He said the FBI is trying to kill him.”
“They’re not looking to kill him.They want to take him into custody before he hurts someone else.”
“He’s… He’s not a bad person.His wife took his kids from him.Something in him snapped.”
Sam wanted to tell her that his ex-wife getting custody of their kids didn’t give him the right to kill four innocent people and terrorize another—or to direct armed drones at the White House or shoot a Secret Service agent.Not to mention what he’d done to the kids he supposedly loved.
“What can I do for you, Savannah?”
“I think he might listen to me.He… He loves me.If he thought my life was in danger, or something like that, he might be willing to surrender.I don’t want him to die.”
She was crying so hard that Sam could barely understand her.
“I’ll reach out to the FBI agent in charge and ask him to call you.Will you be at this number?”
“Yes.”
“Stand by.”
Sam ended that call and made one to Avery, hoping he’d pick up when he saw it was her calling.
“Hill.”
“Offenbach’s girlfriend has reached out.She thinks she might be able to help because he loves her and listens to her.”
“You got her number?”
Sam recited it.“Her name is Savannah, and she’s worried he’s going to die.”
“Got it.Thanks.”
Having done what she could, Sam put her phone back on the counter and signaled to the ladies that they could proceed.Her stomach was in knots, however, as she waited to hear that this nightmare had ended with no further casualties.
“Mrs.Cappuano,” Ginger said.“Adrian is here.Can he have a minute while we finish up?”
“Sure.”
The White House photographer came in, wearing a vest with pockets over a denim shirt and faded jeans.His shoulder-length brown hair was pulled back from his handsome, arresting face, and his green eyes twinkled when he smiled at her.In her former single days, he would’ve turned her head in circles.
Now, she simply appreciated a beautiful man and got on with the business at hand.
“Adrian Fenty, ma’am,” he said with a nod, since Kendra was painting the nails on her right hand a rich rose color.
“Please, call me Sam since we’re spending the day together.”
“Of course.I wanted to go over the schedule with you, if that’s all right.”
“You’re the boss, my friend.Whatever you think we should do is fine by me.”
“Excellent.We’ll start outside with some casual photos of you playing with the kids on the play set and then move into the residence for some ‘at home’ shots.Maybe you helping them with homework or cooking together or coloring.That kind of thing.”
Sam was ashamed at how infrequently she did any of those things with her kids, but she nodded in agreement anyway.
“Very well.I’ll let you finish up in here, and I’ll meet you outside when you’re ready.”
“See you there.”
Scotty had been left in charge of getting himself ready and making sure the twins were wearing the first of three outfits Shelby had arranged for them.
