“I have and passed with flying colors. I’m just waiting for an opening.”

“I’ve got one in Homicide as of today. We should talk.”

The young woman’s expressive eyes went wide. “Seriously?”

“Absolutely. Come see me next week.”

“I’ll do that. Thank you so much.”

“You got it.” Confident she’d left the investigation in capable hands, Sam rode with Freddie and Gonzo to city hall.

“You gotta love the circle of life,” Freddie said, “with Jeannie being sworn in as deputy chief on Arnold’s one-year anniversary.”

“He’d be so proud of her,” Gonzo said.

“He’d be proud of you, too, and how you fought for and got justice for him,” Freddie said.

Sam’s emotions were all over the place as she listened to them and picked through the memories from the last brutal year. While much had been lost, so much had been gained, too, including a new appreciation for one another and the blue brother- and sisterhood they shared. They were more than just her coworkers. They were as much her family as her blood family, and she loved them.

A commander probably shouldn’t have so much love for the people who worked for her. Maybe that was a failing, but it was one she could certainly live with.

At city hall, they went through security, secured their weapons and made their way to the main hall, where the ceremony would take place. Seeing Jeannie wearing the deputy chief’s uniform for the first time as she chatted with the rest of their squad brought tears to Sam’s eyes and had her taking a step back to get it together before she embarrassed herself.

It came as no surprise to realize Freddie had followed her.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, it’s just, you know… That particular uniform…”

“Your dad’s uniform.”

“Yeah.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “He’d love seeing it on Jeannie.”

“Yes, he certainly would. He’s here with us. I’m sure of it.”

Sam squeezed his arm. “Thanks.”

He nodded. “Can’t help but notice the turnout from HQ is kind of sparse.”

“It’s going to take time for people to come around to her in this role, but they will.” At least Sam hoped so.

“You ready for this?” Freddie asked.

“As ready as I’m ever going to be.”

They returned to the main hall and watched with pride as the mayor swore in their beloved friend as the District’s new deputy chief of police. Jeannie’s beaming husband pinned the bars on her shoulders and then hugged her tightly, whispering something to her that made her laugh through tears.

A rousing round of applause greeted the new deputy chief, who stood before the podium, seeming shocked and amazed by the turn of events that had brought her to this moment.