Sam sat next to Nick and would’ve elbowed him in the ribs if they weren’t already injured. “Have a seat, Avery. While we have a minute, there’s something I meant to ask you earlier.”

Hill sat in an easy chair, but remained perched on the edge of the seat while Nick continued to stare at him. He was going to owe her some atonement if he kept up the staring nonsense.

“What’s that?” Hill asked.

“Next week my dad is having surgery to remove the bullet that’s been lodged in his spine for the last three years.”

“Wow, why now?”

“The bullet is moving, and they’ve determined it’s riskier to leave it than to remove it.” Sam swallowed hard as she tried not to think about the worst possible outcome of the surgery. “Anyway, needless to say, with his shooting still unsolved we’re extremely anxious to get ahold of that bullet and run it through the lab. I was hoping you might be able to expedite that for me.”

“Absolutely. Whatever I can do.”

“Thanks. Things happen faster there when you guys ask than when we ask.”

“Speaking of things moving faster, my cyber squad is close to the source of the video and photos. We’ve isolated the IP address, and now they’re working on identifying the physical location.”

“That’s great. Thank you so much for pushing that through.”

“No problem. The lab has the laptop and iPad with orders to expedite.”

“Excellent.” While she talked with Avery, Sam was acutely aware of Nick sitting next to her and could only imagine what he was thinking as the favors she owed Avery continued to pile up. When the doorbell rang again, she wanted to sing “Hallelujah.”

She swung open the door to find Lieutenant Archelotta there, holding a folder under his arm. Fabulous! Now she had one guy who had a crush on her and another she’d actually slept with, both here at the same time in the home she shared with her husband.

“Hi, Archie. Come on in.”

“Heard you were rounding up the troops and thought I might be able to help.” He handed her the file. “The dump on your niece’s phone.”

“Thanks. Have a seat. Do you want something to drink?”

“No, thanks.”

“You know Agent Hill and my husband, Nick.”

Archie shook hands with Hill and Nick. “Senator.”

“Lieutenant.”

Sam was enormously thankful for the fact that she’d never told Nick she’d dated Archie for a while after her divorce from Peter—although their relationship had less to do with dating than it did with sex. Nick really didn’t need to know that.

Where in the name of hell was the rest of her team? She dashed off a text to Freddie and Gonzo. Coming?

Ten minutes out, Freddie replied.