Sam asked for a moment with Malone and brought him up to speed on Gonzo’s whereabouts.

“Good to know he’s getting some sleep,” Malone said.

“That’s what I thought too. Christina’s concerned about whether she did the right thing. I’d like to put her mind at rest...”

“Yes, tell her I agree with you, and we’ll see him when he feels up to returning to duty.”

“I will. Thank you, Captain.”

“I can’t say I understand what he’s going through because I’ve never had a partner gunned down right next to me.”

“Same. I hope I never do.”

Speaking of her partner, the agent working the front door admitted Freddie Cruz, and Sam’s heart ached at the thought of losing him the way Gonzo had lost Arnold. She couldn’t go there, not even for a second.

“We’re all set, Detective?” Farnsworth asked.

“Yes, sir,” Freddie said. “I spoke with the Patrol commander and they’ll be providing overnight security at the house.”

“Very good, thank you.” To Josh, Farnsworth said, “Mr. Hamilton, Detective Cruz will escort you to a safe house that’s managed by the MPD. You’ll be under the protection of the department until we know more about what happened to your father and whether there’s a connection to the Rollings family.”

“It’s the same place we kept Selina during the Lightfeather investigation,” Freddie said to Sam.

She nodded. “Good. Thanks. Did you get anything from the canvass of Hamilton’s neighborhood?”

“One neighbor reported seeing someone running from the house at around three-thirty. Carlucci and Dominguez are taking the statement at HQ.”

“Do we have any cameras in that neighborhood?”

“Archie’s on that,” he said of Lieutenant Archelotta, who headed the department’s IT division.

Sam’s cell phone rang, and she retrieved it from her pocket, scowling at the sight of Darren Tabor’s name on the caller ID. He was becoming a regular pest. “What?”

“What’re you guys doing up at the FBI director’s house?”

“How would I know? I’m suspended.”

“You were seen there earlier.”

“No idea what you’re talking about, Darren. I’m not allowed to conduct MPD business as you and everyone in the city knows thanks to your reporting.”

“Who’s covering for you while you’re out?”

“Malone.”

“Where’s Gonzo?”

“Gotta go, Darren. Nice to catch up.” She slapped the phone closed. “He’s going to call you,” she said to Malone, whose phone rang. He ignored it. “He’s digging into what’s going on at Hamilton’s house. We’re on borrowed time to notify the family before the press gets the story.”

“Let’s go.” Hill headed for the door, with Malone and Farnsworth following.

“I’ll call you in the morning,” Malone said to Sam over his shoulder.