“I don’t know, buddy. Everyone is really upset about that and the fact that she was badly injured, but there’s more. A bunch of teens were stabbed to death in a basement last night, and it’s possible Brooke might’ve been there at some point. She had blood all over her that wasn’t hers. No one really knows what happened. The police are trying to figure it out.”

“Is that where Sam is?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought she was supposed to be off this week.”

“So did I—and so did she.”

“She’ll want to know what happened to Brooke.”

“Yes.”

Scotty looked up at him. “Are you mad with her?”

“If I say yes, I look like a selfish jerk, but I’m disappointed that the vacation isn’t going to happen now. I was looking forward to it.”

“So was she.”

“You’re on her side, huh?”

At that, Scotty finally cracked a small smile. “She must be really upset. And Tracy and Mike too.”

“Everyone is really upset, and they’re going to be more upset when they hear about the pictures online.”

“Poor Brooke. No one deserves that.”

“You’re right. I need to call Sam and tell her about this. Are you okay?”

“I’m upset that Brooke got hurt and everything, but I’m okay.”

They went to the kitchen where Nick had left his phone. As he put through a call to Sam and waited for her to pick up, he got out Scotty’s favorite box of cereal and put it on the table with a bowl, spoon and milk. He was relieved when the boy showed some enthusiasm for breakfast.

“Hey,” Sam said. “What’s up?”

Nick filled her in on what Scotty had seen the night before and the pictures that had cropped up on the social media sites.

“I’m on my way home,” she said, surprising him with her lack of response to what he’d told her when he’d expected shock at the very least. “I’ll take care of it when I get there.”

Was she so absorbed in the homicide case that she hadn’t heard what he said about their son being a potential witness? “Oh, okay.”

“See you soon,” she said before the call ended abruptly.

What the hell?

* * *

Sam took a long last look around at the crime scene, cursing her damned ethics. Where had they gotten her but tossed off the case? “Yes, please,” she said in response to the chief’s offer of a ride. “I came with Cruz.”

“Let’s go.”

“Talk to the maid,” Sam said under her breath to her partner.

“Got it. Will do. And I’ll keep you posted too.”