This time, Malone didn’t bail her out. Rather, he watched her with wise gray eyes that she knew from experience didn’t miss a thing.

“We’re friends,” she said haltingly. “We met at a party six years ago. I hadn’t seen him again until the, ah, until the senator was murdered. Cappuano has been cleared of any involvement and has been a tremendous asset to the investigation in a civilian capacity. Sir.”

“I’m taking you off the O’Connor case, effective immediately,” Stahl said, puffed up with his own importance.

“But—”

“Not so fast, Lieutenant,” Captain Malone said.

“This is my call, Captain,” Stahl huffed. “She’s my detective.”

“And I’m your captain.” Malone dismissed Stahl by turning his back to him.

The foul look Stahl directed at Sam would have reduced a lesser woman to tears. Fortunately, Sam wasn’t a lesser woman. She directed all her attention and focus on the much more rational captain.

“Sergeant, I’m disappointed in the judgment you’ve exhibited by getting involved with a witness,” Malone said.

“Exactly—” Stahl sputtered.

“Lieutenant!” the captain roared. “Get back to your squad.” When Stahl didn’t budge, Malone added a fierce, “Now.”

With one last hateful glance at Sam, Stahl stalked out of the emergency room.

“As I was saying,” Malone continued, “you’ve shown poor judgment with this involvement, but in the more than twelve years you’ve been under my command, I’ve never once had reason to question your judgment. I know you, Holland. I know how you think, how you operate and have had many an occasion over the years to appreciate your high ethical standards. So, the way I see it, the only way you hook up with a witness in the midst of the most important case of your career is if it’s serious.”

Sam might’ve swallowed her tongue—if she could’ve opened her mouth. “Sir?” she squeaked.

“Are you in love with this guy? Cappuano?”

“I…ah…I…”

“It’s a simple yes or no question, Sergeant.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I’m not in love with him,” Sam sputtered, but the words rang hollow, even to her. Apparently, they did to him, too.

Looking satisfied, he studied her again, long and hard. “I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I’m going to assume you’ve done nothing to compromise this investigation, that when you say Cappuano has been invaluable to you, you’re being completely aboveboard with me.”

“I am, sir.”

“In that case, for now you’re to have no comment to the press about your relationship with him. We’ll let the media folks spin it. I’ll take care of that.” He sat and gestured for her to take the chair next to him. “As for the bombing—”

“If you take me off O’Connor, you’re going to have to take my badge, too.”