Sam needed to tell Shelby to expend her organizational energy elsewhere. She liked her mess exactly the way it was. She pulled on a wool sweater and found socks and a pair of hiking boots to complete her ensemble. If she would be putting in long hours, she’d be doing it in comfort.

She ran downstairs and heard Nick talking to someone. He was in the kitchen with Shelby, going over one of her famous lists.

“Morning,” she said to Sam. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please.” It was rather nice to have freshly made coffee waiting for her. She’d give Shelby that much credit. “No organizing my closet, Tinker Bell.”

“I didn’t do hardly anything in there.”

“The jeans were folded.”

“Oh my God,” Nick said, scandalized. “You didn’t!”

“I did,” Shelby said with a teasingly glum expression. The tiny blonde wore a pink sweat suit that resembled high fashion on her. “My apologies. It won’t happen again.”

“Good,” Sam muttered, not amused by their teasing. “Ready to go?” she asked Nick.

“Whenever you are. I’ve got Scotty after school,” Nick said to Shelby. “I’ll take him back to the office with me for a couple of hours.”

“He’ll enjoy that.”

“What kid wouldn’t?” Sam asked. “All that legislating and backstabbing.” She shivered. “So exciting.”

As Shelby giggled behind her hand, Nick shot his wife a playful snarl and headed for the living room. “Let’s go, Lieutenant.”

Taking advantage of a second alone with Shelby, Sam lowered her voice. “You asked out Agent Hill?”

Shelby seemed shocked by the question. “How do you know that?”

“Yes or no. Did you?”

“Maybe. Now tell me how you know.”

“He might’ve mentioned it to me.”

“You saw him? Where?”

“At work. Duh. Where do you think I saw him?”

“I bet he looked good enough to eat.”

“I refuse to dignify that with a response. You may be hearing from him.”

“Oh my God. Seriously? Tell me everything he said.”

“As fun as that return to high school would be, I’ve got to get to work. Keep him far, far away from here. You got me?”

“Why don’t you like him?”

“Come on, Sam,” Nick called.

“Far away. That’s all I’m saying.” Sam left the room before Shelby could continue the conversation. She grabbed her coat, strapped on her weapon, shoved her badge and notebook into her back pocket, and put her cuffs in her coat pocket before she ran out the door.

Nick was already in the black SUV with the tinted windows. One of the agents waited for her at the curb, holding the door for her.

When she got in, Nick was on the phone with Christina.