Freddie was leaning against the SUV, checking his phone. When he saw her coming, he stashed the phone. “What’s our next stop?”

“Do you need to go home?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Freddie. Does your wife need you?”

“She’s really upset.”

“Go home. I’ll take it from here. Take tomorrow, too.”

“I want to work on Spencer’s case.”

“I know you do, but you need to take care of your wife.” Sam could see that he was seriously torn. “Go, Freddie, and let me know if I can do anything.”

“You’ve got enough going on.”

“I’m never too busy for you and Elin.” She gave him a quick hug. “Go ahead, and don’t worry about work.”

“Tell me the truth…”

“Always.”

“Will we get through this?”

“You will. I promise. It’ll suck for a while, but you’re young and healthy, and the good news is that she got pregnant in the first place. That’s huge.”

“We weren’t even really trying, or well, not for long.”

“Miscarriage happens far more often than anyone realizes until it happens to them. Please give Elin my love and tell her I’m here if she needs to talk to someone who understands.”

“Thank you.”

Sam hugged him again. “Go to her. That’s where you need to be right now.”

“In case I forget to tell you, you’re the best.”

“Duh. I know. Do you want us to take you to the Metro?”

“I can walk. Thanks again.”

“Check in later.”

“Will do.”

He jogged off and disappeared around the corner.

Sam wasn’t worried about him getting home. He had the Metro grid memorized, or so it seemed to her.

Vernon approached her. “Did you send him home?”

“I did. He’s of no use to me today when his heart and mind are elsewhere.”

“You’re a very good supervisor.”

“My dad used to say it doesn’t cost anything to be human.”

“No, it doesn’t. What’s next?”

“I have Crime Scene headed here to search for the pills that killed their daughter. After I get them started, we’re heading to Georgetown and a restaurant called Zénitude. You’ll have to look up the address. My smartphone access left with Freddie.”

“I’ve got it,” Jimmy said.

“Thanks.”

Chapter Seventeen

While Vernon drove them to Georgetown, Sam called Gonzo.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I just sent Cruz home. Elin had a miscarriage, which isn’t for public consumption. His head wasn’t in the game.”

“So sorry to hear that. Is she okay?”

“She will be, and so will he. Just not today. I’m only telling you what’s up because you’re one of his supervisors.”

“No one will hear it from me.”

“Anything new on your end?”

“I’m working on trying to track down some people I’d like to talk to. They don’t make it easy to find them, especially when a cop is looking for them.”

Sam was about to reply to that when the SUV was hit head-on by a speeding car in a crash so loud it made her ears ring. “What the fuck?” Sam’s body was jolted by the impact that deployed airbags in the front seat. “We just got hit hard head-on. Are you guys okay?” she asked Vernon and Jimmy.