“Who could blame you when your former LT tried to kill you—twice—and now all this nonsense with Ramsey?”

“It’s not just them, though. I’ve had contact with Dawkins and Andrews this week that was chilly at best, and now I hear Cooper is coming for me because I haven’t brought Narcotics in on the investigation after they dropped the ball in the first place. It gets exhausting after a while.”

“I’m sure it must, but here’s what I know. You’re the best at what you do, and when you’re the best, everyone else is less than the best. That burns their asses, so they take it out on you, which is totally unfair. But that doesn’t stop them.”

Sam tipped her head as she studied her friend. “It sounds like you’ve experienced some of this yourself.”

“Damn straight, I have. I’m the first female ME this department has ever had, and if you think that’s been without its challenges, think again.”

“I guess you would know what it’s like.”

“I know all too well, but it’s even worse for you now that Nick is president. People are jealous, Sam.”

“Gonzo said the same thing.”

“It’s true. Their ordinary lives are never going to be anything more than they are right here and now, but yours… Yours is extraordinary, and they resent that.”

“I’ve never understood jealousy. I don’t have a jealous bone in my body. If someone else does well, I’m happy for them. I don’t get the point of envying them their success.”

“So, you’d be fine if another woman came on to Nick?”

Sam’s gaze narrowed. “Absolutely not.”

Lindsey smiled. “Which means you have at least one jealous bone in your body.”

“He’s off-limits, but I don’t suffer from professional jealousy. I don’t understand that concept.”

“Roll with me here, but who in this department is more professionally successful than you are?”

“There’re people. Like Jeannie.”

“She’s had a good month, but overall, she can’t touch you. No one can, and they know it.”

“Hmm, well, I guess I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“I hate to say you have to suck it up, deal with their shit and try not to let it bother you. They’re not worth it.”

“I’m so thankful for you and my other true friends in this place. I’d be lost without you all.”

“We love you. We’re proud of you—and Nick—and we want only the best for both of you. That’s called true friendship.”

Sam got up and hugged her. “I really needed this. Thanks, Doc.”

“I’m here any time you need me.”

“That’s very comforting. I’ve got to get back to figuring out who’s killing people in my town.”

“Keep me posted on how I can help.”

“Will do.”

Chapter Twenty-One

After Sam left the morgue, she went upstairs to find Archie, relieved that there was no chance she might run into Ramsey. The SVU office was across the hall from IT, which had made coming up there risky for her when Ramsey was underfoot. She walked past the IT cubicles where officers were hard at work on computers and knocked on Archie’s door.