Fatal Deception by Marie Force Page B

but it was further confirmation that everything from Victoria’s name to her fingerprints to her college degree had been fabricated. Why? That was the question of the day.
    Also included in her e-mails was one from Nick. “Hey, babe. How’s my favorite pretty face? Not too banged up, I hope.” Sam cringed, imaging what he’d say when he saw the mess on her formerly pretty face. They hadn’t yet invented the makeup that could cover the disaster she’d seen with a quick glance in the mirror at home. Despite her determination to attend, he’d probably beg her to sit out the fundraiser so she wouldn’t scare away his supporters.
    “Anyway,” he’d continued, “you asked about my impressions of Derek and Victoria, so here you go.” Sam did a quick scan of the message, printed it out and took it with her to the meeting. He’d ended with, “Can’t wait to see you later and kiss it better. Love you.”
    Buoyed by his sweet love, she sent him a quick text to let him know she was fine and back to work. She ended it with, “See you at 6,” so he’d know she hadn’t forgotten their plans. She’d let him decide when he saw the carnage whether or not he wanted her with him.
    Sam was the last one to step into the conference room. As she was about to start the meeting, Chief Farnsworth walked in with Captain Malone in tow.
    Farnsworth took an up-close look at her battered face. “That was some fine work this morning, Lieutenant.”
    “Thank you, sir. Right place, right time.”
    “I’m sure your face would disagree.”
    “I told you it was gruesome, Chief,” Malone added.
    “Shit happens,” Sam said, anxious to get on with it. She hated being the center of attention.
    “I see a commendation in your future,” Farnsworth said.
    “Oh, well, um, thanks?” One of these days, she’d learn how to take a compliment.
    Farnsworth rolled his eyes and headed to his usual post in the back of the room.
    Relieved to be off the hot seat, Sam said, “Cruz, you’re up first, then Gonzo, Hill and McBride. Let’s hear what you’ve got.”
    The others reported in, and Sam listened intently to each detail while she stewed over the biggest detail of all—that Victoria Taft Kavanaugh’s entire life up to the point where she met and married Derek Kavanaugh had been a lie. She hated that she’d soon have to share that tidbit with the federal agent who kept his gaze set on her while the others reported.
    Why did he do that? Hadn’t his mother taught her smooth Southern gentleman that it was rude to stare at other people?
    “Hill,” she said brusquely, “it’s to you. What’ve you got that you can share with us lowly detectives who lack top-secret security clearances?”
    “Not much of anything,” he said in that honeyed accent that once might’ve set her heart to pitter-pattering, before another man had taken ownership of her heart and soul, leaving no room for anyone else. Hill gave a brief rundown of his morning with Derek Kavanaugh, detailing the legislation Kavanaugh had worked on as well as the congressional members and staff he’d clashed with on the president’s behalf.
    “How many people are we talking about?”
    “Five,” Hill said.
    “Give us a list,” Sam said. “Bears looking into.”
    “You read my mind.” Hill handed over the page he’d prepared in advance.
    “Thanks,” Sam muttered, gesturing for Freddie to take possession of Hill’s list. “I asked Nick to share anything he could think of that might tell us more about Derek and Victoria, their wedding, etcetera. But I don’t see anything in his message that we don’t already know.”
    Sam stood and used a dry-erase marker to establish a timeline of Victoria’s life, beginning with her start date at Calahan Rice, one of the few things Sam knew for sure about her.
    “She met Kavanaugh thirty days later,” Hill said, consulting his notes. “At the gym he’d frequented for many years by then. They began a friendly flirtation but he