“There’s no way my dad would’ve stood idly by while he did that, so all I can think is that Stahl talked a big game, filed bogus reports and made them believe he was doing everything he could.”

“Find those bogus reports. That’ll help to make a case that Stahl’s incompetence was deliberate and strategic.”

“That’s a good idea. We’ll look into that.”

“Fight back, Sam. Keep reminding people, including the chief, that you aren’t responsible for the sins of the past, and by trying to make them right, you’re saving lives. She was starving Carisma and the others. They were living in filth the likes of which none of us can begin to imagine. You guys did good, no matter what anyone says.”

“Jeannie gets all the credit, but I needed this pep talk. Thank you.”

“It always helps to address an issue with action.”

“Wait, I think that’s one of my trademarked lines.”

“No, that one’s all mine.”

“Thanks, Linds. I owe you one.”

“You don’t owe me anything. Do what you do. That’s all you need in this or any situation.”

Sam gave her friend a quick hug. “Thanks again.”

“Anytime. Go kick some ass and take some names.”

“On it.”

Sam left the morgue feeling energized by Lindsey’s support. Her friend was right—they had done good, and screw anyone who said otherwise, even her own bosses. While that thought worked in her own mind, she wasn’t sure how that attitude would be met when she put it into action.

Her squad was hard at work when she stepped into the pit. “Hey.”

At the sound of her voice, they all turned to her in surprise.

“What’re you doing here?” Freddie asked.

“I hear we’ve got a mess to clean up,” Sam said.

“You’re goddamned right you do,” Captain Malone said as he came into the pit. “In the office. Now. McBride, you, too.”

As Malone stormed toward Sam’s office, Jeannie grimaced at her.

“I got this,” Sam said as they went into her office, where Gonzo was seated at the desk.

“May I help you all?” he asked as Jeannie closed the door.

Ignoring him, Malone turned to Sam. “You can help me by telling how it is that my direct order to stand down in the Deasly case was basically ignored.”

“I spoke to the chief about what Jeannie had uncovered prior to the order,” Sam said. “He authorized us to turn the case over to the marshals, which we did. Jesse Best tied the case to us in his press conference. We followed the order we were given by the chief, and he said he would bring you into the loop.”

“He did, but this… shit storm… is exactly what we were trying to avoid when we gave you the order,” Malone said.