“That’s an interesting theory, Detective,” Malone said, clearly impressed.

Sam was filled with pride. Young Freddie was coming along very well. Very well, indeed.

“You think it’s possible?” Freddie asked, full of youthful exuberance.

“It’s solid, Cruz,” Sam said. “Good thinking.” She paused, thought for a moment and decided. “I want you to go to Chicago and talk to Patricia Donaldson. I want to know if her kid is John O’Connor’s son. I want the whole story. Tell her she can either spill it to you, or we’ll get a warrant for DNA. Don’t come back until you know every detail of her relationship with O’Connor. He went out there the third weekend of every month. I want to know if he was banging her. I want to know how. You got me?”

“Without you?” His normally robust complexion paled again.

“A bomb just blew off your training wheels, Detective.” Sam winced at the pain in her chest as she rose. “Get your ass to Chicago.” She grabbed the lapels of his ever-present trench coat and pulled him down so his face was an inch from hers. “You get yourself hurt in any way, and I’ll kill you. You got me?”

“Ma’am.” He swallowed hard. “Yes, ma’am.”

She retrieved the paper with her ticket information from her purse. “Be on that eleven o’clock flight and get back here as fast as you can. Report in tonight.”

“Watch your back, Cruz,” Malone added. “If they’ve got eyes on Sergeant Holland, they’re on you, too.”

“Yes, sir.” Freddie stood there for a second longer, beaming at the two of them.

“What the hell are you standing there grinning like a goon for?” Sam asked.

“I’m going. I won’t let you down. I’ll call you as soon as I’ve got anything.”

“Go!” After he scrambled through the ER doors, she glanced at Malone. “Sheesh, was I ever that green?”

“Nope,” he said without hesitation. “You came in with the sensibilities of a captain. Why do you think I’ve been watching my back all these years?”

Staggered by the compliment, Sam stared at him. “I’m sorry if I’ve let you down.”

“I’ll bet your friend is wondering where you are. Why don’t you go on back and check on him? I’ll give you both a lift when he’s sprung.”

She rested a hand on his arm. “Don’t let them take me off O’Connor, Captain. Don’t let them.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

Chapter 22