“Can you email one to me that shows her face?”

He dictated his email address to her, and she sent the picture.

“I want to make it clear to you,” Sam said as she got up to leave, “that protecting her is not in her best interest—or yours. If you find out where she is—and I urge you to get busy doing that—and you don’t tell us you’ve located her, we will charge you for impeding our investigation. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she said meekly.

Sam headed for the door, hoping Hill was right behind her. “Who are these fucking people who let their kids run wild and then act all surprised when their little darlings end up in trouble?”

“Is that a rhetorical question, or am I expected to answer?”

Not appreciating his attempt at humor, she got in the car and slammed the door.

“Where to?” he asked when he got in.

“Can you drop me at GW and then get the computer and iPad to the lab?” Since the MPD relied upon the FBI crime lab, things would happen faster if he made the request.

“Can do.”

On the way to the hospital, Sam called HQ and requested an all-points bulletin on Hoda and her car. When they arrived, she turned to Avery. “I really appreciate your help with this, and I’m sorry if it messed up your holiday plans.”

“It’s no problem. I can go home later in the week.” He pulled up to the hospital’s main entrance. “Am I invited to the powwow with your squad later?”

“How do you know about that?”

“I can read.”

“You can read a text I’m writing while you’re driving?”

“One of my many skills.”

Sam tried not to think about what Nick would have to say about Agent Hill coming to their house. The last time he’d been there, she’d had to warn Nick to curb the impulse to pee on her to mark his territory. Her husband could barely stand the sight of the guy, let alone tolerate him as guest in their home. And since she and Nick were getting along so swimmingly at the moment, Hill’s attendance ought to go over really well. “Um, sure, you can come if you want to.”

“Wow, another really long pause. I’m underwhelmed by your hospitality.”

“I don’t have to tell you that your presence won’t please my husband.”

“Forget it. I don’t have to go.”

“No, it’s fine. You’ve been a huge help today, and we’ll take all the help we can get on this one.”

“I thought you’d been removed from the case.”

“I was.”

“Soooo...”

“I’m still their commander, and I want to know what’s going on.”