“How can they not be?” Sam said. “The timing is not coincidental.” She thought for a second and came to a decision. “I want everyone looking for Josh Hamilton. As far as we know he’s still alive, so he’s the priority. Talk to his coworkers, his friends, his neighbors, dig into every corner of his life. If we find him, we may find whoever killed his father too.”

“I agree with the lieutenant’s approach,” Malone said.

The agent working the front door admitted Gonzo and Freddie.

“Where’d you guys come from?” Sam asked, thrilled to see them, even if Freddie still looked dangerously pale and Gonzo seemed incredibly wired.

“I apologize for missing the calls last night,” Gonzo said to her and Malone. “Won’t happen again.”

“You’re authorized and encouraged to take bereavement leave,” Malone said.

“Not necessary,” Gonzo said. “Other than the required appointments with Trulo, I’m back to work.”

“Me too.” Freddie wore a bandage over the cut on his forehead. “I got sprung an hour ago. No concussion, so I’m back to full duty. What can we do to help find Josh?”

Sam and Malone handed out assignments to every member of the squad and sent them on their way with orders to report in hourly.

“Our flight is at two,” Avery said as he put on his coat. “The first return flight we could get was at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon, so pack a bag. I’ll meet you at Reagan?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Let me know what you find out,” Malone said as he took his leave.

“Seriously?” Nick said when they were alone—or as alone as they ever were these days.

“Let’s go upstairs to have this fight in private.” Sam headed up the stairs, prepared to do battle if necessary. In their bedroom, she turned to face him, watching as he closed the door that had played a pivotal role in last night’s activities. Though his posture was casual as he leaned against the door, looks could be deceiving.

“There’s no need for you to go on this trip.”

“There’s every need for me to go. This is our case.”

“You’re suspended, Sam!”

“Exactly! And this is something I can do to help out while I’m suspended.”

“Avery can handle it on his own.”

“And when he gets a big break, do you think he’ll call us or his own people first?”

“I don’t want you spending a night away with that guy.”

Infuriated by the insinuation, she approached him, stopping when she was a few inches from him. “What do you think will happen, Nick? Are you worried that I’m going to sleep with him or something? Is our relationship so fragile that you’d actually be worried about such a thing? Do you have so little trust in me?”