“Suspect is deceased.”

Sam sighed deeply at the thought of poor Mrs. Springer having to bury yet another son. She reached for her cell and placed a call to Freddie. “How is he?”

“I don’t know. It’s bad, Sam. He’s lost a lot of blood, and he’s not conscious.” Her partner sounded like he was on the verge of an emotional breakdown so she didn’t push him for additional details other than to ask where they were taking him. “GW Trauma. You should call Christina.”

“I’m doing that right now. I’ll be there in a few.” She didn’t bother to update him about the case, because there’d be time for that when their friend and colleague was out of the woods. Her heart beat fast, and her entire body broke out in a cold sweat as she placed the call to Christina.

“Hey, Sam, what’s up?”

“Christina...I’m sorry to have to tell you that Tommy’s been shot.”

The other woman’s scream ripped through Sam’s heart. “Listen to me. He’s alive. It’s serious, but he’s alive. They’re taking him to GW. Where are you?”

“I’m...I’m at home. With Alex.”

“I’m sending someone to pick you up. Bring the baby with you, and I’ll meet you there. Okay?”

Conklin heard what she’d said and called in the request to patrol.

“Sam... Is he going to die?”

“I don’t know. I really hope not.”

“Oh, please God... No.”

“Get ready, Christina. Patrol will be there in a few minutes to pick you up, and I’ll be at the hospital shortly after you arrive.”

“Okay. Okay.”

Sam’s next call was to Nick. “Gonzo’s been shot,” she said. “It’s bad.”

“Oh my God. Does Christina know?”

“I just talked to her. She’s on her way to GW with patrol and so am I. I thought you might want to be there with her.”

“I do. I’ll be there in a few. Is he...”

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything other than he was hit in the neck and has lost a lot of blood.”

“Jesus. I’m coming, babe. Hang in there.”

“Love you,” Sam said as she wiped away tears that couldn’t be thwarted despite her intense desire to hold it together for all the people who’d be looking to her for leadership and guidance. The last thing she wanted was to break down in front of her brass or other colleagues, but this was Gonzo they were talking about.

“I love you too, baby. I’m on my way.”

His softly spoken words wrapped around her like the hug she needed so badly right then.

“Go, Lieutenant,” the chief said when she ended the call. “See to your squad. We’ll clean things up here.”