Sam closed her eyes and focused on remaining as still as possible to calm the relentless pounding in her head. The doctor had ordered a CT scan to confirm the concussion, which Sam had told him was a waste of time. He’d also indicated the need for five or six staples to close the wound. Fabulous. She wondered if Tinker Bell had ever had a bride with staples in her head before. The thought of asking her would’ve made Sam want to laugh if her head hadn’t been pounding.

Captain Malone stepped into the room. “This is beginning to be a disturbing pattern, Lieutenant. I’ve heard they’re giving you a frequent-flyer card.”

“That’s very funny. Ha. Ha.”

He smiled and leaned in for a closer look at the injury. “At least it won’t show in the pictures.”

“For which I’m grateful. Listen, I need you to do something for me.”

“As always, Lieutenant, I am at your service.”

“I have to tell you something that has to be handled with the utmost discretion. The career of a colleague and friend hangs in the balance.”

His expression turned serious. “Understood.”

She told him about Gardner’s threats toward Faith Miller and the rape case that had never been prosecuted. “The victim was nineteen at the time and refused to testify. She’s older now, and he’s locked up. Someone needs to talk to her, compel her to testify.”

“I’ll see to it.”

“Bring Forrester in on the new charges,” she said of the U.S. attorney. “I don’t want Gardner sliding through again.”

“He took a shot at two cops and just missed you both,” Malone said. “He’s not getting away with that.”

“You’ll take it right to Forrester?”

Malone nodded.

“Let’s nail him on the whole package this time.” As Sam’s burst of energy began to fade, she closed her eyes to seek relief from the relentless pounding. “I also want to know where he was on December 28, 2008.”

“We’ll find out,” Malone assured her.

“His buddy Simmons too. Someone left that stuff about my father’s shooting in Reece’s house. I want to know who.”

“You take it easy. We’re on it.”

Sam looked up at him. “There’s something about this Gardner guy. I’ve never had such a strong feeling about any suspect since my dad was shot.”

“If he did it, Sam, we’ll get him.”

She appreciated the fierce tone of his voice. She wasn’t the only one who desperately wanted to catch her father’s shooter. He had a police department full of friends who’d like five minutes alone with the person who’d condemned him to life in a wheelchair. “Thanks.”

“Get some rest,” Malone said. “I’ll check on you later.”

Sam heard the captain exchange greetings with Nick in the hallway and braced herself to deal with her furious fiancé.