“That’s my favorite place to toss you.”

“Believe me, I know. As annoying as you are, it’s nice to be getting back to normal around here.”

“Agreed. Being sidelined doesn’t look good on me. Neither does physical therapy, which is now right up there with flying, needles and ice as my least favorite things.”

“But they got you back on your feet.”

“In the most painful way possible.”

Vernon dropped them at the morgue entrance.

“Thanks for the assist today,” Sam said to him and Jimmy.

“Glad to help.”

“They’re not so bad,” Sam said to Freddie as they walked into HQ.

“Not so bad at all, and Vernon already loves you like a daughter.”

“You think so?”

“Absolutely.”

“That’s sweet. I miss my dad so much.”

“I miss him, too. I can’t imagine what it’s like for you and your family.”

“You were family to him, too, Freddie. You know that.”

“I’d love to ask him what the heck we do about this latest development.”

“Yeah, he’d definitely have an opinion.”

When they reached the pit, Sam said, “Everyone to the conference room. Freddie, call the captain—and the chief.”

“Oh, hello,” Gonzo said. “What’s up?”

“You won’t believe it.”

“Do we have a lead?”

“Do we ever.”

They waited fifteen minutes for the chief to arrive. “Sorry, I was on a call with the mayor, who’s busting her buttons over the big news. Detective McBride, we’re so proud of you.”

“We’re so proud,” Sam added. “My dad would be thrilled to see you in his old office.”

“Thank you all. Your support means everything to me—and I’m going to need it when the word gets out that a detective is being promoted three ranks.”

“We’ve got your back,” O’Brien said. “Couldn’t be happier for you.”

“Back to business.” Malone used his chin to gesture to the chief. “Tell him what you told me.”

“Our investigation has led to Ramsey’s son Shane.”

Gonzo gasped. “Shut. Up.”

“We’re not saying he’s our guy. We’re saying he hassled one of our victims in a bar about ten days before she was raped and murdered. The night they met he told her she’d be sorry she wasn’t receptive to his advances.”

“That makes him our first person of interest,” Jeannie said.

“It does. And since Ramsey has a massive hard-on for me—”

“Disgusting,” Freddie muttered.