“True,” Sam said, sighing. “I just wish people would try to understand that the president—and first lady—can’t just do whatever the fuck they want when they want and have to follow all these protocols to do anything.” She pulled into a parking space three blocks from Audrey’s apartment in Adams Morgan. “Who do you think we’re going to find at her place? Parents, significant other, roommates?”

“I don’t know, but I hate doing this to anyone.”

“Same.”

They zipped up tight against the cold and walked to the building. Outside the main door, they pressed the button for apartment six.

A male voice responded. “Yes?”

“Metro PD. May we speak to you for a moment?”

After a long pause, the man said, “Uh, yeah. Come on up.”

He buzzed them in.

“Boyfriend,” Sam said. “Or husband.” Ugh.

They went up the stairs to the second floor, where a young, dark-haired man waited for them in a doorway. His eyes widened when he recognized Sam.

They showed their badges. “Lieutenant Holland, Detective Cruz. May we step inside for a moment?”

“What’s this about?” he asked as he moved aside to let them enter.

“What’s your relationship to Audrey Olsen?”

“She’s my girlfriend.”

“And your name?”

“Wes Hambly.”

“Do you live here, Wes?”

“Yes, with Audrey. She’s out for a run.”

“Can we sit for a second?”

“Um, sure.” He showed them to a cozy living room with colorful pillows on the sofa bearing sayings such as “Life is Good,” “Be Positive” and “Onward and Upward.”

Those freaking pillows broke Sam’s heart.

“What’s this about?” Wes asked.

“I’m sorry to have to tell you that Audrey was murdered in Rock Creek Park.”

He tilted his head as if trying to process what she’d said. “Audrey isn’t dead. You must be mistaken. She just went for a run, like an hour ago. She’s training for a marathon, so she’s gone awhile sometimes.”

Sam held up the evidence bag containing Audrey’s wallet. “Is this hers?”

“I… Yes, but… She’s not dead. She can’t be dead.”

“I’m very sorry to have to tell you that she is, but we need someone to provide a positive identification. Would you be able to come with us to do that?”

“Audrey’s really dead?” he asked, his voice wavering.

“Yes.” Sam hated this more than just about anything, but she’d learned to be direct when delivering dreadful news.

He dropped his head into his hands. “She was just here.”

They gave him a minute to get himself together. “Are there other people who should be notified?”

“Oh God, her mother… She’s the only child of a single mother.”

Fucking hell.

“If you’d like, I can call her,” Sam said, hoping he’d decline her offer.

“It… It probably should be me.”

“Where is she?”