“They work different shifts, neither reports to the other, and both are exceptionally professional. I’m fine with it.”

“Excuse me, Lieutenant?”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sam turned to find Jesse Best looming in the hallway. “Hey, Jesse. How’s it going?”

“I wondered if I could have a word with you and Detective McBride? You’re welcome to join us, Captain.”

“Sure,” Sam said. “Let me get her. We’ll meet you in the conference room.”

“You go ahead,” Malone said. “I’ll save you some steps and get her.”

“Thanks.”

“How’re you doing?” Best asked.

“Much better than I was, but ready to be rid of the cane that makes me feel ninety.”

“Don’t rush it. My dad had the same injury and had no patience with the rehab and ended up having a second surgery.”

Sam grimaced. “That would suck.”

“It did, and truthfully, he was never the same after that. Do what you’re told, Lieutenant.”

“For once in my life?”

He grunted out a chuckle. “You said that. Not me.”

Sam took a seat at the table across from Best. “Are you okay? You look exhausted.”

“I haven’t slept in three days, but that’s not uncommon.”

Before Sam could express shock at that, McBride and Malone came in and closed the door.

“Detective McBride, I wanted to give you an update on the Carisma Deasly case, which has become the Daniella Brown and Xavier Iker case. We’ve tied them to more than two hundred missing children and young adults. We suspect there’ll be more before we’re done.”

“Jesus,” Sam said on a whisper.

“Carisma is due to be released from the hospital tomorrow and will be going home with her mother. They’ve asked to see you, Detective.”

“I… I’ll call LaToya and set it up,” Jeannie said.

“We’re holding a press conference tomorrow at our office and would like to have you there, since this is technically your case, your bust,” Best said.

Jeannie glanced at Sam, who nodded. “You definitely need to be there.”

“Thank you for including me,” Jeannie said.

“We wouldn’t be where we are right now without your fine work, Detective. I’ll send you the details of the press conference as soon as I have them.” Best got up to leave the room. “See you tomorrow.”

“He’s not long on small talk, is he?” Sam asked.

“Never has been,” Malone said. “But the man is good at what he does.”

“What’s his story, anyway?” Sam asked. “I’ve worked with him for years but hardly know him.”

“His younger sister was kidnapped when they were kids. She wasn’t found, but he’s never stopped looking for her. His entire professional life is fueled by his obsession with missing people, especially his sister.”

“Wow,” Sam said, deeply moved. “I don’t know how people can bear to live when their loved ones are missing. I’d go mad.”