Three doors down from her house, she went up the ramp to her father’s home, entering after a brief knock on the door.

“Hi, honey,” Celia said from her post on the sofa, where she was curled up with her e-reader.

“Hi there. What goes on around here?”

“Tracy and the kids were here to visit. You just missed them.”

Sam took off her coat and dropped into a chair. “No sign of the flu in anyone else’s house?”

“No, thank goodness.”

“Hope it stays that way. It was nasty, but they’re both better. They’re out cold at the moment.”

“Glad to hear they’re doing better. We were so worried about Nick.”

“Me too. What’s Dad doing?”

“He’s in his room watching the game.”

“Captain Malone is on his way over. He wants to talk to both of us.”

“What’s going on?”

“I can’t really say—yet. I’ll tell you when I can.”

She raised a brow. “I thought you were suspended?”

Sam shrugged. “I am.”

Smiling, Celia said, “Suspended but still in the game?”

“Something like that,” Sam said, grinning.

“Could I ask you...” Celia shook her head. “Sorry, none of my business.”

“What?”

Celia’s pretty face flushed. “I’m venturing into territory that’s technically off limits to me by asking if you’ve heard your mother is in town.”

“I heard that, and she wants to see me.”

“I might’ve heard that too, and I wondered how you feel about it.”

“I’m going to see her because it’s time, not because I’m dying to mend fences or be best friends with her.”

“How come, then?”

“When I was in that basement with Stahl, it occurred to me that I should’ve fixed the rift with her at some point. I thought I was going to die, and I was sorry I hadn’t done that.”

“Sam.” Celia blinked back tears. “I hate to think about that awful day.”

“So do I.”

“For what it’s worth, I think it’s good you’re going to see her and clear the air.”

“It’s worth a lot, especially coming from you.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because you’ve more than filled the mother void for me the last few years, and even if I kiss and make up with my mother, that doesn’t change anything between us. You got me?”

Celia swiped at tears. “Now look what you’ve done.”

Smiling, Sam got up and went to hug her stepmother. “Add it to the long list of ways I’m in trouble at the moment.”

Celia held on tight for a second before she released Sam. “Go see your dad. He so looks forward to your visits.”

“Send the captain back when he gets here?”

“Will do.”

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN