Thank you.

When they arrived back at HQ, Sam stopped at the morgue to speak to Lindsey while Gonzo took White’s phone up to Archie. “Tell me something, Doc,” Sam said. “How is it that twenty-or thirtysomething people can die under suspicious circumstances, and they’re not automatically autopsied?”

“Could be for any number of reasons, such as the family refusing it or us not having the staff to perform every autopsy that ought to happen as a matter of course. If I had my way, anyone who died under suspicious circumstances would come through my office. But unfortunately, I don’t live in that world.”

“I see, and no judgment. I was just wondering how that works.”

Lindsey sighed and sat at her computer station. “I’m sorry. My frustration isn’t with you. It’s with the budget constraints we’re all forced to work under. Many families pay for private autopsies if they aren’t done by us. If we could examine everyone, maybe we would’ve caught on to the fact that someone was selling laced pills before your brother-in-law—and the others—became victims of this person.”

“Yeah.” Sam sat at another computer station, feeling defeated on several levels. “That would’ve been good.”

“I’m really sorry I couldn’t stop it from happening to your family.”

“It’s not your fault, Linds. Don’t take that on. Most of us do what we can.”

“I hate when all we can isn’t enough.”

“Did you hear about Narcotics dropping the ball on the OD reports?” Sam asked.

“I did, and it’s outrageous. Something like that should never be postponed.”

“No, it shouldn’t.”

“What happened with Ramsey today?”

“He rammed my Secret Service SUV in a moment of utter stupidity, because now the Feds are involved.”

“Which could turn out to be a good thing in our campaign to be rid of him.”

“Let’s hope so.”

“Are you hurt?”

“Not really.”

“What does that mean?”

“My neck is kinda hurting, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Lindsey got up and came over to Sam. “Hold still.”

Sam did as she was told while Lindsey performed an in-depth examination of her neck and upper back that more resembled a massage than an exam. “If you could keep that up for an hour or two, I’d appreciate it.”

Lindsey laughed. “I wish I had the time. Everything feels okay, but if it’s still hurting in a day or two, you should have it checked more thoroughly.”

“I will.”

“No, you won’t, so I’ll stay on you about it.”

“Whose idea was it to have doctor friends?”

“Haha, very funny. We’re very convenient to have around. I bet you could even get an X-ray right at the White House.”

“They sent me to the hospital for the hip thing.”

“Because everyone but you knew that thing was fractured.”

“Whatever.”

“Blame the ice, not the doctors.”

“The doctors are more convenient, and they don’t melt.” Sam glanced at her friend. “Can I tell you something else?”

“Anything.”

“It’s getting to me a bit that everyone here seems to hate me unless they’re in my squad or one of my close friends.”