Chuckling at his predictable reply, she headed for the stairs, eager to shower and change and get to the hospital to check on Josh.

“Um, where do you think you’re going?” Nick asked twenty minutes later when she emerged from her closet dressed and ready to go.

“To the hospital to see Josh.”

“You’ve been sick, Samantha. You need to take it easy today, or you’re going to relapse.”

“I’m fine. I’m only going to the hospital where I’ll also get something to eat.” She patted his face and went up on tiptoes to kiss him. “You can go to work. You’re off duty.”

He lifted her sweater, which covered the service weapon strapped to her hip. “If you’re just going to the hospital, why’re you bringing the hardware?”

“Because I never leave home without it, as you well know.” She kissed him again. “I swear I feel fine. Tired and a little achy, but otherwise fine. I need to check in on Josh and get things moving with the Franklin police who are waiting for my okay to tell the Rollingses that he’s their son. I can’t bear to make them wait another day for that news.”

“Fair enough. Just promise you’ll come home as soon as you can.”

“I will. I promise.”

He leaned in to kiss her. “And for the record, I went to Knoxville because I couldn’t bear the thought of you feeling so crappy without me there to take care of you. Not for any other reason.”

“That’s a pretty good reason. Thanks again for coming. It meant everything to me to have you there.”

“You mean everything to me.” He kissed her once more. “Be careful out there.”

“Always am.”

Sam went outside and was surprised to realize her car was parked in its usual spot, even though she hadn’t left it there. Nick must’ve arranged to get it home from HQ. The keys were in it, which was another benefit of the security afforded by the Secret Service. They did have their uses.

Feeling light-headed and nauseated, she started the car and headed for the checkpoint, taking it slow. She desperately wished she were still in bed, but with so many threads needing to be pulled in the case, she’d never sleep anyway. She may as well do what she could to help out.

On the way to the hospital her phone rang with a call from Detective Watson.

“Good morning,” Sam said.

“What’s the status?”

“As far as I know, Josh’s condition is unchanged. I’m on my way to the hospital now to see him.”

“I want to tell the Rollingses that we’ve found him.”

“Will you also tell them that he’s gravely injured or who had him all this time?”

“I’ll tell them everything I know.”