Tracy was coming down as Sam made her way up. “Why didn’t you take the elevator?” Tracy asked.

“It’s time to get back to normal.”

“Who says?”

“I say. How is she?”

“About the same. The doctor gave her a stern talking-to about the importance of maintaining her strength for the baby’s sake and her own. She recommended protein drinks that’ll sustain her when food is unappealing.”

“I guess that’s something. What’d Angela say about the GoFundMe?”

“If we think she should do it, she says it’s fine.”

“I need to run it by Nick. If he and his team have no objections, we’ll make it live. I’ll also check with Nick about the Ninth Street house, but I’m sure it’s fine. The money from selling her place will help.”

“If it’s not mortgaged to the hilt.”

“Ugh, I didn’t think of that.”

“I didn’t want to ask how they paid for rehab, but I suspect they might’ve tapped into the equity in their house.”

“What a mess.”

“I want to be empathetic toward him because I believe addiction is a disease, but how could he have let this happen, Sam? How could he, who was always so caught up in his career, have let it get to this point?”

“I wondered the same thing when it happened to Gonzo. All I can say is that addiction makes sane people do crazy things.”

“Angela told me a few months ago that Spence really wanted a third kid when she was happy with two. In the end, the pregnancy came as somewhat of a surprise, but she got excited because he was. Now I wonder if he thought that new baby might save him or something.”

“I suppose that’s possible.”

“I feel guilty leaving her, but I need to get home. I haven’t done laundry in days or grocery shopped or anything. My family needs me.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be here.”

Tracy hugged Sam. “I’ll be back in the morning.”

“See you then. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

As Sam continued up the stairs, she felt guilty going home to her beloved husband when her sister would never see hers again. And the poor kids who’d grow up without their dad. Nick and Mike and Spencer’s brother and father would be there for Angela’s kids every step of the way, but no one could replace the father who’d adored them, and the sadness of that loss made Sam’s entire body ache.

Knowing the kids were still upstairs with Celia, Sam went into their suite to stash her gun, badge and cuffs in the locked bedside table drawer and changed into sweats and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Then she sat on the side of the bed to gather herself before she went to see Ang and the kids.

That’s where Nick found her a few minutes later. “I heard the first lady was home and came to see for myself.” He sat next to her, put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “Rough day?”