He looked down at her with warm, sexy eyes that told her everything she needed to know. He was there for her now. He would be there for her always, and there was such comfort in knowing that, in having faith in it.

They arrived at the Emergency entrance at the George Washington Hospital Center, which Sam often joked was her home away from home. They were forever patching up her or a member of her team—and only yesterday, they’d patched up Nick.

Chief Farnsworth was with several Patrol officers when Sam ran in with Nick and Elin by her side. She went right to the chief. “What do we know?”

“He was still unconscious when we arrived, and we’re waiting to hear more.”

Hearing Freddie was still unresponsive, Elin covered her mouth to hold back her sobs.

Sam put an arm around Elin and held her while she cried.

They waited a long time until a doctor came through the doors looking for the family of Frederico Cruz.

“I’m his family,” Elin said. “We all are.”

“He’s awake and asking for Elin and Sam.”

“That’s us,” Elin said.

“Right this way.”

They followed the doctor into the cubicle area. When Elin saw Freddie in bed, his eyes open and alert, she rushed to his side, all but crawling onto the bed to get closer to him.

He put the arm without the IV around her. “I’m okay, honey.”

Overwhelmed by relief at the sound of his voice, Sam studied his pale face and the abrasion on his forehead. He met her gaze over Elin’s head.

“What can you tell me?”

“Happened really fast. We were at the light and they surrounded us. They were heavily armed, so I didn’t try anything.”

“You did the right thing.”

“Where’s Josh?”

“He wasn’t in the house. We’re looking for him now.”

“What the hell is this, Sam?”

“I don’t know, but we’re sure as fuck going to find out.”

* * *

BEFORE SHE LEFT Freddie in the capable hands of Elin and his parents, Sam sent a text to her entire squad letting them know he was on the mend and would be spending the night in the hospital. They were watching him for a possible concussion. He didn’t remember anything following a blow to the head knocked him out shortly after he was shoved into the van.

I’m asking everyone who’s available to be at my house at zero seven hundred to work this case. I can’t go to you, but you can come to me and bring me everything you’ve got. It’s your call to come or not. This is not an order.