Dr. Palmer looked embarrassed. “My wife and I were going through a messy divorce and custody battle at the time. I suffered horrible insomnia, so a lot of nights I’d drive around aimlessly. It was good I did that night.” He smiled, not the expression of a doctor maintaining a professional distance, but a warm, grandfatherly smile. “Perhaps more doctors should wander the streets at night.”

Nate laughed and shook his head. “Maybe leave wandering the streets at night to the police. That’s what we’re there for.”

Dr. Palmer chuckled and clapped Nate on the shoulder. “You’re a good man, Detective Sweeney.”

Nate thanked him and said good-bye. In his car, he dialed Emma’s number to see how Josh was doing. The line rang out, kicking to voice mail. He hung up and called the house phone, but no joy, so he tried Emma’s cell again.

She finally answered, sounding out of breath.

“You all right?” he asked.

“I’m putting laundry away. I had to run for my phone,” she replied tetchily. Laundry was her least favorite chore.

He asked her how Josh was, and she asked what he wanted for dinner.

“I’m really sorry, babe. I doubt I’ll be able to get home for dinner tonight.”

“What? Why not!”

“I have a million things to do and they all have to be done today.”

He was surprised at how defensive he sounded. He’d never needed to explain his work to Emma before.

She released an irritated huff. “How late will you be? Josh will want to see you before he goes to bed.”

Guilt stabbed at him, forcing him to mentally rearrange his day.

“I’ll try to get off at five. I just have to make one stop by your clinic to grab the surveillance footage after work. I’ll come home after that.”

“I didn’t know you were on that case,” she said, surprised. “Is there video footage of Julia, then?”

“Well, presumably. The clinic only just installed video surveillance equipment, so I hope it’s all working right.”

There was a beat of silence.

“And Marjorie will just give it to you?”

“It’s on her computer. I just need a copy.”

“Can’t you have Kia take over?” Emma asked.

“Afraid not. It would be a conflict of interest. Kia and Julia are dating, so the lieutenant asked me to do it.”

“What? Julia never said she was dating Kia!”

Nate turned the Crown Vic into the police department’s parking lot. “I’ve gotta go.”

Emma sighed. “Can you just get the video tomorrow and come home after work? It would be nice to have dinner as a family for once. You’ve been working so much lately.”