“Why would they protect a guy who did what he did to his family?”

“Who knows? Neighborhood dynamics and loyalties run deep.”

Freddie’s handsome face shifted into a scowl. “I guess no one was loyal to Tiffany and her kids.”

“She didn’t grow up here. I read that she moved here from Pennsylvania seven years ago.”

“Then she had the good fortune to meet Reese.”

“Yeah.”

“There’s not much more we can do here, Lieutenant.”

Sam took a hard look around the messy living room. “I know.”

“You want to split?”

“I’m going to hang for a while. See if he comes back.”

“You can’t stay here by yourself,” he protested.

She rested her hand on the weapon holstered to her hip. “I won’t be by myself.”

“I’m not leaving until you do.” He plopped down in a chair and crossed his arms defiantly.

“Suit yourself.” She took another chair and put her feet up on the dilapidated coffee table. After a long period of silence, she fixed her eyes on her partner, noticing once again his above-average attire. “Since we have some time to kill, why don’t you tell me about your girlfriend?”

“What girlfriend?” he sputtered, his blush giving him away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Uh-huh.” Sam settled into the chair, warming up to bust his chops. “How about we examine the evidence?”

“Here’s a big idea: let’s not.”

Nick rushed through a quick shower and shave, while reviewing his mental checklist for the dinner party one final time. The last week had been beyond chaotic. He’d closed on the new place, moved in and focused all his energy on getting the downstairs portion of the house ready for tonight’s gathering—on top of contacting half the senate to rally support for John’s immigration bill.

The second floor was a maze of boxes and unassembled furniture. He expected Laine would want to see the upstairs, but she’d understand about the mess.

Nick hated disorder. He hated chaos, and more than anything, he hated that Sam seemed to be avoiding him. While pursuing Clarence Reese with relentless determination, she’d also been working crazy shifts as she attempted to connect with all the HQ detectives who now answered to her. Other than a few rushed phone calls, Nick hadn’t had any time with her since the night he discovered her reading Congress for Dummies in his bed a week ago. She had been sleeping at her dad’s house because, as she said, she didn’t want to disturb him with her middle-of-the-night comings and goings. He hadn’t succeeded in convincing her that he wanted to be disturbed by her.

“Maybe I’m the dummy,” he muttered to his reflection.