“And you don’t know how?”

“Not yet I don’t, but you can bet I’m going to find out.”

In a way, Sam felt for the guy. He’d put a lot of work into the case to have it blow up in his face. She’d once been exactly where he was. She’d gotten her guy, but not before a barrage of gunfire had left her subject’s young son dead. Memories of Quentin Johnson lying bloody and dead in his screaming father’s arms still had the power to reduce Sam to a quivering disaster area. She shook off those disturbing thoughts to focus on the task at hand.

“You’ve spent the most time with him recently,” Sam said. “Where would he go?”

“We’ve already looked in all the usual places.” Frustration and exhaustion clung to him.

A knock on the door cut into their tense exchange. Lieutenant Archelotta walked into the room. “Sorry to interrupt,” Archie said. “I thought you might like to know we were able to get a ping from Springer’s cell phone.” He handed a sheet of paper to Sam, who scanned it quickly and was grateful to be able to clearly read the words that often appeared jumbled to her. “Who does he know who lives in Manor Park?” Sam asked McDonald.

“His maternal grandmother.”

“I assume you haven’t checked there yet?”

“No, it didn’t occur to me that he’d be there because he never visited her in all the time I spent with him.”

“I want SWAT on this,” Sam said to the chief as she handed over the address she’d already committed to memory.

“Done.”

“He’s not getting away this time.” She turned and walked out of the room with Freddie in tow. In the pit, she said, “Listen up, everyone. We’ve got a lead on Billy Springer. I want everyone in full armor to support SWAT. Suit up and let’s get moving.”

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

While the others scurried around gathering their belongings and body armor, Sam did the same in her office.

Located to the east of Rock Creek Park, the Manor Park neighborhood was in the city’s north end, next to Tacoma. The working-class neighborhood boasted many older homes, built in the early 1900s. Sam hadn’t been up there in ages as it tended to be a quiet part of the city.

Gonzo and Jeannie rode with Sam and Freddie, the four of them quiet with their own thoughts as they headed north until Sam said, “I still don’t know how Springer found out we were eying him for the murders.”

“You think one of our people told him?”

“I really hope not,” she said. “But I can’t wait to get Springer into interrogation to find out.”