“So you’re the one who needs the time, not the narcs?”

Farnsworth glared at her. “Lieutenant Holland, I’m telling you as the chief of police that vice will be allowed to complete their investigation of Mr. Springer and his associates tonight, and in the morning, your team will be permitted to proceed with your homicide investigation. Twelve hours isn’t going to make a difference here.”

“I hope you’re right, sir, because I wouldn’t want to have to explain why we allowed a murderer to run free overnight, especially if he manages to kill again.”

“He’s not going to kill again. We’ve got eyes on him, and we’re watching much more closely than we were before.”

“That’ll help me sleep better tonight,” Sam said as her frustration reached a boiling point.

“You’re all released until zero seven hundred,” Farnsworth said. “We’ll pick this up then.” He walked away, and they watched him go.

“This is insanity,” Gonzo said. “Why do I feel like there’s something else going on here that everyone knows but us?”

“It’s seriously fucked up,” Sam said. “Since when does narc stuff take precedence over homicide investigations?” She ran her hands over her hair and reclipped it. “We’ve been handed our orders, so go home. See you back here in the morning.”

“That’s it?” Gonzo said.

“That’s it,” Sam said. “He’s the chief. We do what he says.”

“What about Hoda and Nico?” Freddie asked.

“Let’s hold them overnight for arraignment in the morning,” Sam said. “I want her in a safe house until we sort things out with Billy. I’ll let her mother know what’s going on as a courtesy she hardly deserves.”

“And Brody?”

“I’m waiting on the DNA results to determine whether he’s the fourth guy in Brooke’s attack,” Gonzo said. “Either way, we’ve got him nailed for videotaping and posting the attack. So he can spend the night ahead of the arraignment too.”

“Enjoy the unexpected night off,” Sam said as they returned to the pit.

“Oh, I plan to,” Freddie said, waggling his brows as he flashed an adorable grin.

“Yuck,” Sam said disdainfully.

He walked away laughing, a jaunty spring in his step as he headed home to his hot-to-trot girlfriend for a night of debauchery. Speaking of debauchery, Sam wondered where Nick was and what had transpired at his meeting. If she had to take a night off, she planned to spend it with her husband and son.

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

When Nick called Scotty to let him know he was going to Leesburg, Scotty asked if he could come along, so they swung by Angela’s to pick him up. Now Nick and Terry were seated in Graham’s cozy study while Scotty helped Laine, who was baking Thanksgiving pies in the kitchen.

“Scotty has gotten taller since I saw him last,” Graham said.