Sam knew the loss of Arnold would stay with them both for the rest of their lives. There was no getting around that. They’d had to learn to live with the grief, the heartache, the regrets that would also stay with them forever. He’d been under their command. No matter the outcome of the trial, they both felt responsible.

The entire squad had stayed long after their shift ended to be there when Sam and Gonzo returned to HQ. Carlucci and Dominguez had come in early, and the group greeted them with hugs and words of support for Gonzo, whose eye-witness testimony had been so critical to achieving justice for Arnold.

Chief Farnsworth and Captain Malone came in, both shaking Gonzo’s hand.

“I don’t feel right accepting any kind of congratulations for this,” Gonzo said. “We did what needed to be done, but it doesn’t change anything. Not really.”

“It makes it so that thug can’t do this to anyone else,” Freddie said. “That matters.”

“Yes, that’s true,” Gonzo said.

“We’re going to hit the meeting upstairs,” Sam said. “Anyone else who wishes to join us is more than welcome.”

The entire squad came to support Gonzo at the meeting, which was well attended by many of the regulars. Sam was glad to see Audrey Olsen’s boyfriend, Wes, had accepted Sam’s invitation to attend, along with his brother. Hearing Wes speak about the strain of not knowing who’d killed his girlfriend made Sam even more determined than ever to get the man who was terrorizing women in her city.

It was well after eight by the time Sam got home and took the elevator to the residence. She looked in on Aubrey and Alden, who were both sound asleep, and was sad she’d missed kissing them good night. But she’d been where she’d needed to be tonight, with her squad as they helped Gonzo through another difficult day in the journey he’d been on since losing his partner so senselessly.

She stopped at Scotty’s room and knocked on the door.

“Enter!”

“Hey,” she said. “Sorry to be so late getting home.”

“We heard about the verdict. How’s Gonzo doing?”

“As well as can be expected. Days like today, even with good news, bring it all back, you know?”

“I’m sure. I didn’t know Detective Arnold that well, and I still feel sad today.”

Sam went to sit gingerly on the edge of his bed and leaned into his hug. “I really needed that. Thank you. Did you have a good day?”

“As good of a day as you can have in the eighth grade.”

Sam laughed, ruffled his dark hair and scratched Skippy behind the ears. “Get some sleep, you two.”

“You, too. Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, too.”

Love you, Mom. Had three words ever meant more to her than those did?