“I still believe more people do than don’t, regardless of what the media would have us believe,” Malone said.

Lieutenant Archelotta appeared in the doorway. “I’ve got your location. He’s in the mountains in West Virginia, and we’ve got him on the footage from the hotel in Beltsville where Josh was found.”

* * *

FREDDIE RODE WITH Malone and Gonzo in a department SUV, following the MPD SWAT unit that was deployed to assist the West Virginia State Police. Everyone was tense. They anticipated that Jacoby might fight back and fight back hard. With everything on the line, he had nothing to lose.

Organizing the operation to go after Jacoby in the mountains had taken a couple of hours and a lot of coordination with West Virginia State Police, which had to be convinced that it was actually in their best interest to help the MPD track down the missing FBI deputy director.

It also took some doing to keep the Feds out of the loop. The last thing they needed was interference that would allow Jacoby to get away.

The Virginia State Police had been successful in removing Mrs. Hamilton from her mother’s home and now had her in custody. McBride and Tyrone were on their way to pick her up and bring her to HQ.

On the tense, quiet ride north, Freddie texted Elin to let her know where he would be for the next couple of hours.

Why do you have to go?

Because this is our case and he’s a person of interest.

I don’t like it.

Ever since Arnold was killed in cold blood on a city sidewalk, she’d been a lot more nervous about his job. Then he’d been abducted at gunpoint and knocked around, which sent her nerves into the red zone.

I’ll be fine. Try not to worry. This isn’t our raid. We’re just along for support. I won’t be out in front.

Not this time anyway, but there’d be plenty of other times when he and his team would be leading the charge. He hoped that she would eventually relax a little but didn’t think it would happen anytime soon.

The conversation with Malone and Gonzo earlier had brought home how deeply the suffering ran in their small, close group within the Homicide squad. Not only had his death affected each of Arnold’s colleagues profoundly, it was also taking a toll on their loved ones.

Please be careful. Love you so much. Can’t take any more near-misses.

Freddie blew out a deep sigh. He hated that he put her through so much and couldn’t imagine what he’d do if it finally became too much for her. How would he go on without her? He couldn’t even bear to think about a life that didn’t include her. Love you too, baby. Don’t worry.