“Thank you.” Jeannie understood that this was the kind of bust that made cops into celebrities, that launched their careers into all-new stratospheres, but as she collected her partner and headed home to DC, all she felt was heartsick over the whole sorry mess.

While the kids slept in, Sam and Nick watched in horror as the story unfolded live on CNN. They’d woken to a text from Jeannie that said to turn on the TV. In all, ten children ranging from three months of age to Carisma at twenty-four had been found living in utter squalor in the Richmond house. So far, they’d publicly identified only Carisma as one of the victims and noted that Daniella Brown was facing numerous felony charges.

Jesse Best stepped up to a bank of microphones outside the house where the ongoing operation proceeded behind him. As he briefed the media on the raid that had led to the rescue of the children who’d been held prisoner and detailed the conditions inside the house, Sam’s stomach turned, especially when he noted that the three dogs who were found in the house were obviously well cared for, unlike the children, who’d been starved and viciously abused.

Sam noted that the usually stoic and unemotional marshal looked exhausted and ravaged by what he’d witnessed in that hell house.

“I’ll take a few questions,” Best said.

“What led you to the house?”

“We were acting on a tip from DC’s Metropolitan Police Department.”

“Oh shit,” Sam said on a long exhale. “Shit, fuck, damn, hell.”

Her cell phone rang with a call from Captain Malone.

“Hey,” Sam said.

“This is a shit storm of such epic proportions,” he said without preamble, “I can’t begin to articulate them all. I know you’re on vacation, but I need you back here to help manage the fallout.”

Sam glanced at Nick, who nodded. “I’ll be there later this morning.”

“Thank you.”

The call ended with a click that echoed through her brain like a shotgun blast. He and the chief were dealing with yet another potential PR disaster at a time when they could least afford it.

Her phone rang again, this time with a call from Jeannie. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Jeannie said, sounding subdued.

“Are you still at the house?”

“No, I’m home. I left after Carisma’s mother arrived. I know their reunion is worth the fallout coming our way, but I can’t help but worry.”

“Malone just called and ordered me back to work immediately.”

“Oh shit, Sam. Are you coming?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there this morning.”

“I’d say I’m sorry about all this, but being there when LaToya and Carisma were reunited was one of the best moments of my career, even if I’m sick over the rest of it.”

“You did good, Jeannie. You saved nine kids and Carisma from a nightmare.”