They might be able to sideline her for a riot, Sam thought as she went to her office to retrieve her jacket, keys and radio, but murder was her business. No one was keeping her from that. On the way out of the building through the morgue entrance—where there was minimal chance of being stopped by the endlessly observant chief of police—Sam called Freddie.

“What a night,” he said without preamble. “I’ve never been so tired in my life.”

“Better find some caffeine because we just caught a possible murder.”

His groan was so loud that Sam held the phone away from her ear. “Meet me at Independence and Seventh, behind Air and Space.”

“Be there in fifteen. I thought you weren’t allowed out to play.”

She bit back the nasty retort that burned the end of her tongue. After all, it wasn’t his fault she’d been pulled off the streets, even if she was usually more than happy to take out her aggravations on her partner. “I’m not.”

“Yet you’re going anyway?”

“Yep.” The single word dared him to challenge her.

Fortunately, he knew better. “See you there.”

As she ended the call with him, her phone dinged with a text message from Nick.

Are they letting you out of there anytime soon?

Just caught a murder.

Oh crap. I guess we’ll see you when we see you.

Sorry. How’s the boy?

Glum, but looking forward to next season.

Tell him I love him, and I’ll see him tonight. You too.

Love you too, babe. Be careful out there.

Always.

She said what she usually did, but she had even more reason to be careful now that she had a son to consider. Months after Scotty had agreed to come live with them, Sam was still getting used to the fact that he was now a permanent member of their family. She’d wondered if the responsibility of it all would weigh on her, but it didn’t. Rather, it filled her with elation and a sense of purpose she’d craved for years.

Maybe she’d never get to have a child of her own. Since Scotty had come into their lives, the ache of that possibility didn’t seem quite so acute. She only wished they’d met him when he was much younger than twelve, so they could’ve had more time together. Regardless, she and Nick would take what they could get where he was concerned.

Driving from HQ to Independence Avenue, Sam got a firsthand view of the carnage that had been left in the wake of the riot. Trash and broken glass littered the streets, and a smoky haze hung over the city. She’d heard that the fire department had received a record number of calls overnight.

It was heartbreaking to see the damage and the wary residents venturing on to the streets to start the big cleanup job.