“I remember amazing sex,” Tracy said with a sigh. “At least I think I do.”

“Stop,” Angela said, bumping Tracy with her hip. “Mike’s still hot for you.”

“Yeah, I guess. So, Sam, I didn’t want to ask in front of the kids, but this insanity with Peter… Are you okay?”

“It’s kind of overwhelming to know he hates me enough to want to kill me.”

“I think it’s more that in his own sick, twisted way he loves you that much,” Tracy said.

Angela nodded in agreement.

Sam told them about meeting Nick years ago and what Peter had done to keep them apart.

“Motherfucker,” Angela muttered.

Sam laughed as she extinguished the cigarette. The sick feeling in her stomach and the lingering foul taste reminded her of why she’d quit smoking years ago. “Tell me how you really feel, Ang.”

“I hate that bastard.”

“So do I,” Tracy said. “Divorcing him was the best thing you ever did. I couldn’t stand the way he always had to know where you were and what you were doing. He never would’ve gone back inside the way Nick did just now. He would’ve wanted to know what we were talking about.”

“I know,” Sam said. “When I think about him not giving me those messages… I really wanted to hear from Nick after that night.”

“You might’ve missed the whole Peter saga altogether,” Tracy said.

“Maybe everything that happened with Peter, with the babies and stuff, would’ve happened with Nick and it would’ve screwed us up just as bad.”

Her sisters each slid an arm around her.

“There’s no point in going there, Sam,” Tracy said.

“I haven’t had a chance to tell Nick the whole story.”

“It won’t matter to him,” Ang assured her. “He’s mad about you. He never takes his eyes off you, but not in the creepy way Peter used to. More of an adoring way.”

“He didn’t have a family growing up, and I know he wants one.”

“There’re other ways, hon,” Tracy said. “You know that. Don’t worry about it right now. Enjoy this time with him. You deserve to be happy after everything you’ve been through.”

“Thank you,” Sam said, hugging them. “I’m so glad you guys like him.”

“Hubba hubba,” Ang said again, and they all laughed.

“Now how about Dad and Celia?” Sam said.

Just as Sam and Nick were getting ready to leave Skip’s house, Freddie called. “We’ve got another body, Sergeant.”

A burst of adrenaline zipped through Sam. “Who?”

“Tara Davenport.”

“Oh, shit,” Sam sighed, remembering the timid Capitol Hill waitress they’d interviewed. “Where?”

“Her apartment.” Freddie rattled off the address. “It’s bad, Sam. Whoever did this made sure she suffered.”

“I’m on my way.”

Nick insisted on driving her to the scene. On the way, Sam pumped him for information about Tara.