“Is that so?” Sam growled, the dip in her stomach descending into the ache that dogged her in times of stress. Two doctors had been unable to determine the cause. One had suggested she give up soda, which simply wasn’t an option, so she lived with her stomach’s annoying ability to predict her stress level.

“Don’t take it to heart, Sam. Everyone knows that if she’d been any kind of mother, her kid wouldn’t have been hanging out in a crack house in the first place.”

“But she has the nerve to call me the baby killer.” Of all the things she could’ve said, that hurt more than anything.

“I know. She made some pretty serious threats about what she’d do if you testify against her deadbeat husband next week. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from the brass about it.”

“That’s great.” She rubbed her belly in an effort to find some relief. “Just what I need right now.”

“Sorry. You know we’re all standing behind you. It was a clean shoot.”

“Thanks, Gonzo.” Her throat tightened with emotion she couldn’t afford to let in just then. Clearing it away, she said, “Call me if you find anything useful at the cabin. I did a surface run last night, but I was operating on fumes. I could’ve missed something.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll let you know when we finish.”

She gave him the O’Connors’s phone number so he could get a key to the cabin from them and signed off. Weaving her way through traffic, she made it to Capitol Hill with minutes to spare and took off running for the Hart Senate Office Building.

Freddie was pacing in the hallway outside Senator Stenhouse’s office suite. “There you are! I was just about to call you.” His astute eyes took in her day-old suit and landed on her face.

“I worked all night, I haven’t been home to change yet, and yes, I’ve heard about Destiny Johnson,” she snapped. “So whatever you’re going to say, don’t bother.”

“As usual, a night without sleep has done wonders for your disposition.”

“Buzz off, Freddie. I’m truly not in the mood to go ten rounds with you.”

“What were you doing working all night? And why didn’t you call me? I would’ve come back in.”

“I went through O’Connor’s place again and then his home in Leesburg.”

Freddie raised an eyebrow. “By yourself?”

“Nick Cappuano was with me. He told me about the place in Leesburg and took me there. Otherwise I never would’ve found it. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Me?” Freddie raised his hands defensively. “I’ve got no problems, boss.”

“Good. Can we get to work then?”

“I’m following you.”