“Not technically. No money exchanged hands, but I might’ve nodded ever so slightly when someone else said they didn’t think you couldn’t do it.”

Sam scowled at him. “I expect better from you.”

“No, you don’t,” he said with a laugh as he nudged her with his elbow. “Come on, admit it. It’s funny.”

“Hardy. Har. Har.”

“I’d think you’d be complimented by the fact that your squad knows you so well.”

“Yes, it’s very flattering,” Sam said in a tone that dripped with sarcasm.

The address Archie had given her was on 47th Street Northwest, a couple of blocks from the American University campus. Upon arrival, they discovered a duplex.

“It’s the one on the left,” Sam said, consulting the paper Archie had given her. She took a look around at the quiet street where nothing seemed to move. Even the leaves on the trees were perfectly still.

“I’ve got an itchy feeling about this,” Freddie said. “Do you think we should call for backup before we go in there?”

“I’d hate to tip her off, but I’ve got the same itch.” Sam reluctantly called for backup and sat tight until two patrol officers arrived in a marked squad car. “You two take the back,” she said to them as she and Freddie got out of her car and proceeded to the front door, where she rang the bell.

When there was no answer, she opened the storm door and pounded on the inside door. “Metro PD. Open up.”

“What do you want?” a male voice asked.

“I want you to open this door before I blow it open.”

“We haven’t done anything.”

“Then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Open the goddamned door.” She and Freddie simultaneously retrieved their weapons and took position on either side of the door.

“Let me see your badges.”

They held them up to the peephole and waited until they heard a series of locks disengaging. The door swung open to reveal a man with brown hair in his early twenties. Dark eyes stared back at her in a surly glare.

“Are you Nico?” Sam asked.

He seemed stunned that she knew his name. “Yeah. So?”

“I’m Lieutenant Holland. My partner, Detective Cruz. We’re looking for Hoda Danziger. Is she here?”

“I don’t know anyone by that name.”

“Are you seriously going to stand there and lie to my face?” Sam asked.

He had the good sense to squirm under her glare.

“Where is she, Nico?”

Releasing a deep sigh, he stepped aside to admit them.

Sam was about to reholster her weapon when a clicking sound had her removing the safety and keying the receiver on the radio attached to her hip.

“Stay right there,” a female voice said. “Don’t come any farther.”

“Hoda, you’re making a huge mistake pulling a gun on cops,” Sam said.

“What do you want?”