Fatal Jeopardy Read online

  With a growing sense of the surreal, Nick repeated Riley’s words and became the nation’s forty-ninth vice president. A roar of applause from the joint session drowned out the congratulations offered by the president and chief justice.

  The roar got louder when Nick kissed Sam and hugged Scotty and then faced the joint session of Congress as well as his invited guests as they applauded and cheered. For him. For Nick Cappuano from Lowell, Massachusetts, who was now the vice president of the United States. He looked up to the gallery, where Graham and Laine O’Connor were cheering him on.

  Graham caught Nick’s eye and pumped his fist in support. On what was an otherwise sad and tragic day for their family, Nick had given them something to celebrate. Also on their feet in the gallery were Nick’s father and stepmother, Sam’s sisters, their spouses and children, Shelby, Freddie, Elin, Christina, Gonzo, Terry, Lindsey, Derek, Andy, Harry and the rest of Nick and Sam’s friends and colleagues.

  When the applause finally began to die down, he released his tight hold on Sam’s hand and waited until she and Scotty and the president had taken seats that had been arranged for them off to the side of the podium.

  Speaker of the House Claiborne said, “Mr. President, members of the Congress and distinguished guests, I present to you the vice president of the United States.”

  During another round of resounding applause, Nick stepped up to the microphone and waited until a hush fell over the crowded room. Here he was, standing in the very spot where the president delivered the annual State of the Union address. Speaking of surreal...

  “Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. President Pro Tempore, members of Congress and friends, today we have seen our constitution in action, and it is a proud day for me and my family as well as all of America as we once again show the world why we are the greatest nation on earth.”

  During another deafening round of applause, Nick tried to forget how the eyes of the nation—and the world—were on him. “And P.S., Mr. Chief Justice, we really need to stop meeting this way.”

  That set off an uproar of laughter and more applause.

  “Thank you for administering today’s oath as well as the one last year. To the other justices, thank you for honoring me with your presence here today. To my former colleagues in the Congress, whether you voted for or against my appointment, whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, today we are all Americans, and our nation and our government continues on the path that was set by our founding fathers more than two hundred thirty years ago. Mr. President, please accept my profound thanks and appreciation for the trust you have placed in me. I am humbled by your kindness and hope to emulate the example of leadership you’ve set for our country.

  “I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to honor the incredible contributions of my predecessor, Vice President Joe Gooding. I’d be hard-pressed to find a better example of the term ‘public servant’ than Vice President Gooding, who has faithfully served the people of Michigan and the people of America for more than forty years. Mr. Vice President, we wish you and your family Godspeed at this difficult time, and we’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.”

  Everyone stood to applaud for Gooding, as Nick had hoped they would.

  When the applause finally died down again, Nick continued. “I’d also be remiss if I didn’t say publicly how lucky I am to have married so well.”

  The thunderous applause that greeted his statement indicated his colleagues agreed. How could they not? Look at her. She was stunning, and judging by the tight smile she directed his way, she was also fuming. He’d pay for the comment later, which was fine with him.

  “Samantha, thank you for your unwavering support over the last year and for taking this incredible journey with me. To our son, Scotty, you made our family complete, and you bring us joy every day. And yes, you have to make up what you missed at school today.”

  More laughter and applause followed for Scotty, who beamed with pleasure at all the attention.

  “I’d also like to note that this is not the first time my life was permanently changed on this date. A year ago, we lost Senator John O’Connor, who was my best friend and boss.”

  A respectable round of applause was offered for John, which Nick appreciated.

  “I never lose sight of the many ways in which John’s death changed my life as well as the lives of his family and friends. We miss him, and we think of him every day as we move forward without him and try to make him proud with everything we do. I owe a debt of gratitude to John’s parents, Senator and Mrs. O’Connor, who made me a part of their family from the first time I met them as a college freshman when John took me home to the farm and showed me the true meaning of family.

  “A few weekends at Graham O’Connor’s dinner table changed my life plan from finance to politics, and I’ve never looked back. As your vice president, I vow to continue to fight for American families, to assist President Nelson in any way I can and to be a voice for people who are still struggling to realize their American dreams. Thank you for your support, and let’s join together to continue working to make this the greatest country in the history of the world.”

  During the standing ovation that followed his remarks, Sam joined him and put her arm around him, leaning into his embrace as they acknowledged the applause.

  “I’m going to kill you,” she said, her smile never wavering.

  The roar of the crowd drowned out his laughter. “Bring it on, babe. I can’t wait.”

  * * * * *

  Fatal Series Q&A

  How many more books can we expect in the Fatal Series?

  As long as you continue to tell me you’re enjoying Sam and Nick’s story, I’ll continue to write the series.

  Will Sam ever have a baby of her own?

  I don’t know yet. If and that’s a very big IF at this point, she does get pregnant again, I expect a pregnancy and baby would significantly change her life, and thus change the dynamic of the series. So I’m holding off—for now. That doesn’t mean never. It just means not any time soon.

  Will Sam & Nick adopt again?

  We’ll have to wait and see what life has in store for them.

  What is up with that pesky Agent Hill? He makes our wonderful Nick so mad, so why does he keep coming around?

  Because it’s FUN to make Nick into a jealous fool! Let me be clear on one thing—there will never, ever, EVER be infidelity in Sam & Nick’s marriage. I’m not interested in writing that, nor do I wish to destroy a relationship I’ve spent years developing. No one is going to cheat. Read that again: No cheating. However, a perfect relationship is a boring relationship, thus the need for characters and situations that allow Sam and Nick to grow as individuals and as a couple. One of my favorite lines in the entire series is when Sam tells Nick to resist the urge to lift his leg and pee on her when Hill is around. Without Hill, she never gets to say that. So let me have my fun, and don’t worry about cheating. Are we good now?

  Who shot Skip?

  I still don’t know, but won’t it be awesome when Sam and I finally figure that out?

  What was with Arnie Patterson’s unexpected name change in Fatal Mistake?

  Funny story about that (okay, not so funny...). I wrote him as Arnie Parsons in Fatal Deception, until we got to editing and I realized Parsons’s in the possessive was clunky, so we decided to change him to Patterson. Unfortunately, that last-minute change never f
ully registered on my mental hard-drive, and when I dove into Mistake, he was still Parsons to me. That was my fatal mistake! We updated the file, so you should be able to download a new version. Sorry for the confusion!

  Did you really just make Nick the vice president?

  I know, right?! Funny story about that too—I was about ten days from finishing Fatal Jeopardy and was out to lunch with my dad and husband. I told them what was happening in the book, about the White House seeming to leak the fact that Nick had been asked and putting some pressure on him to cede to Nelson’s wishes. So my dad asks me, “Is he going to become the VP?” I said, “I don’t know yet.” To which my husband said, “Isn’t the book due in two weeks? Shouldn’t you know that by now?” Me: “That’s just how I roll. Seat-o-the-pants, baby!” See? Sam and I have a lot in common! I was on the fence right up until the end of the book about which way it was going to go. Of course I look forward to hearing what you all think of Nick’s promotion and whether he and Sam can really make it work...

  Much more to come from Washington, D.C.! Thanks for taking this wild ride with me, Sam and Nick. If you have other questions, please contact me at [email protected] or pose them to the Fatal Series Reader Group . No spoilers in the main group please. Spoil to your heart’s content in the Fatal Jeopardy Reader Group (AFTER you finish the book) and dish on the details: www.facebook.com/groups/FatalJeopardy. Please make sure you join my newsletter mailing list at marieforce.com for regular updates about new books and other news!

  Preorder Now!

  Fatal Scandal, Fatal Series, Book 8

  Sam and Nick’s adventures continue as dual scandals rock the Metropolitan Police Department, forcing Sam to put herself on the line for two of her closest colleagues.

  Visit Marie’s website at marieforce.com/books/the-fatal-series/182-book-8-fatal-scandal for preorder links.

  Mixing romance with politics can be fatal...

  Catch up on the entire Fatal series, available now!

  Fatal Affair

  Washington, D.C., Metro Police Detective Sergeant Sam Holland needs a big win to salvage her career—and her confidence—after a disastrous investigation. The perfect opportunity arises when Senator John O’Connor is found brutally murdered in his bed, and Sam is assigned to the case. Matters get complicated when Sam has to team up with Nick Cappuano, O’Connor’s friend and chief of staff...and the man Sam had a memorable one-night stand with years earlier. Their sexual chemistry still sizzles, and Sam has to fight to stay focused on the case. Sleeping with a material witness is another mistake she can’t afford—especially when the bodies keep piling up...

  Fatal Justice

  Standing over the body of a Supreme Court nominee, Lieutenant Sam Holland is hip-deep in another high-profile murder case. The fact that she was one of the last people to see Julian Sinclair alive just complicates things even more. On the plus side, her relationship with Senator Nick Cappuano is heating up—but it’s also attracting a lot of unwanted media attention and blinding flash bulbs.

  The pressure is on for Sam to find Sinclair’s killer, but a new lead in her father’s unsolved shooting puts her in unexpected danger. When long-buried secrets threaten to derail her relationship with Nick, Sam realizes that while justice can be blind, mixing romance with politics has the potential to be fatal...

  Fatal Consequences

  Lieutenant Sam Holland has no sooner accepted Senator Nick Cappuano’s proposal than she’s back on the job. A woman has been found brutally murdered and evidence points to Henry Lightfeather, a senator and close friend of Nick’s. While Sam investigates, Nick stands by his friend—complicating his own bid for reelection, and causing tension between the couple.

  As Sam’s investigation reveals a scandal that rocks the capital, Nick and Sam discover that the biggest threat to their future might be someone from her past...

  Fatal Destiny

  With the week of their wedding finally upon them, Washington, D.C., Police Lieutenant Sam Holland and her fiancé, Senator Nick Cappuano, are at odds. In the aftermath of a tragic loss, they struggle to reconnect as the big day draws near, but their work keeps pulling them apart. When a new clue into a cold case surfaces, Nick asks Sam not to take any foolish chances before the wedding and to leave it alone for the time being. With trouble at every turn, will Sam survive long enough to walk down the aisle?

  Fatal Flaw

  Already on edge, Sam and her team start investigating a series of baffling murders. The victims are well-liked with no known enemies, and the murders are carried out in a clean and efficient manner. Unable to find a clear motive for the deaths, she feels like she’s chasing her tail.

  With no obvious connection between the victims, Sam soon suspects that she may be the ultimate prize in the killer’s clever game. When the danger starts to hit a little too close to home, she has two goals: find the elusive murderer and manage to live long enough to enjoy her happily-ever-after.

  Fatal Deception

  The wife of the White House deputy chief of staff has been beaten to death, and their one-year-old daughter is missing. D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland is in charge of the murder investigation, but she’s forced to collaborate with Special Victims Unit detectives as well as thorn-in-her-side FBI Special Agent Avery Hill. Then, a cold case of her father’s resurrects old hurts—a distraction Sam cannot afford. As Sam’s investigation heats up, so does Nick’s political career—and the heat carries over to their bedroom. Will Sam put the pieces together in time to catch a killer and find the baby, or will ambition, greed and lies prove fatal?

  Fatal Mistake

  While Sam digs through clues, her husband, U.S. Senator Nick Cappuano, fights for his political life in the final days of his reelection campaign as financial irregularities threaten his future. It’s a distraction Nick can ill afford with Sam in the midst of another high-profile murder investigation and both of them trying to help their adopted son, Scotty, cope with the murder of a ball player he admired.

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  About the Author

  Marie Force is the New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her New York Times bestselling self-published McCarthys of Gansett Island series recently recorded its one millionth ebook sale since Maid for Love was released in 2011.

  Marie is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Fatal series from Harlequin’s Carina Press, as well as the Treading Water series and numerous stand-alone books. All You Need Is Love, book one in her new Green Mountain series from Berkley Sensation, was released in February 2014.

  While her husband was in the navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and two feisty dogs, Brandy and Louie. Join Marie’s mailing list at marieforce.com for news about new books and possible appearances in your area. Follow her on Twitter @marieforce and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups by viewing the complete listing at marieforce.com/connect. Contact Marie at [email protected].

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  ISBN-13: 9781426898075

  FATAL JEOPARDY: BOOK SEVEN OF THE FATAL SERIES

  Copyright © 2014 by Marie Sullivan Force

  Edited by Alissa Davis

  All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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