“Potentially. I mean, why were his fake reports separate from the case files? It makes no sense.”

“How long is this guy going to continue to haunt us, anyway?”

“I’m afraid we’ve only seen the tip of the Stahl iceberg.”

As Sam made her way back to the pit, she encountered Freddie coming toward her. “We’ve got a body in Rock Creek Park. We weren’t sure if you wanted to take that, or if you’re outta here after the press briefing.”

Sam checked her watch and saw it was almost one thirty. Her goal was to be back at Camp David for dinner. “I’ve got some time.” In the pit, she called for Jeannie.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“You’ll be handling the press briefing on Deasly.”

Jeannie’s expression went blank. “Me?”

“Yes, you. It was your bust, and you should get the credit.”

“But the captain and chief—”

“Would like you to do it. The chief will go out with you and field any questions about the past handling of the case.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Just go out and tell them what you did and how you found Carisma. That’s what they want to hear.”

“When do they want me to do it?”

“Now would be good.” Sam had never seen Jeannie look so flummoxed. She handed Jeannie the statement that public affairs had come up with. “I’ll go out with you, too, if that would help.”

“Yes, please.”

“They want you to start with that statement and take it from there.”

“Okay.”

Jeannie gathered notes and reports she wouldn’t need. She knew the case by heart. Sam was certain of that. Cases like these worked their way into your bone marrow, where they would stay forever. As she went into her office to grab her coat, Sam could recall the intricate details of cases she’d worked years ago for that very reason.

When Jeannie was as ready as she’d ever be, Sam said to Freddie, “Be ready to go to Rock Creek Park right after this.”

“Yes, ma’am. Good luck, Jeannie.”

The rest of the squad called out words of support as Sam and Jeannie walked toward the main lobby to meet the chief.

“Very nice job, Detective,” Farnsworth said, shaking Jeannie’s hand.

“Thank you, sir. I’m, ah, sorry about the fallout.”

“I’ll take care of that. Let’s do this.”

The chief led them through the main doors and into the media scrum that gathered there every day. Reporters started shouting questions at them the second they crossed the threshold.

One stood out among the others: “Lieutenant, did the president give you a ride home from Camp David on his helicopter?” Shit, she’d have to give Nick a heads-up about that question being asked multiple times.

Farnsworth held up his hands to quiet them. “Detective McBride has a statement, and then we’ll take any questions you have.”