“Yes, ma’am. Also, I wanted to remind you that Gigi is due back to work tonight.”

“Yes, that’s great news. I’ll stick around until she arrives so we can hand off to her and Dani.”

“I’ll line up Patrol.”

“Thank you.” Sam returned to the conference room. “We’re going to get you a ride home, and I’ll check in with you in the morning.”

“Audrey’s mother… She texted that she’s going to come here.”

Sam handed him her card while doubting anyone could get to DC with a blizzard heading their way. “Have her call me when she arrives.”

He nodded.

“I wish there was more I could do for you than tell you we’ll try our very best to get justice for Audrey—and for you.”

“Thank you.”

When the time was right, she’d talk to him about the grief group she’d founded with Dr. Trulo for victims of violent crime.

“Are you okay?” Freddie asked after Sam saw Wes and his brother off with the Patrol officer.

“Another day, another wonderful person murdered in our city,” Sam said, “and multiple lives changed forever as a result.”

“You’re supposed to be on vacation,” Captain Malone said from behind her.

Sam turned to him. “I know, but we caught a new case—”

“That your team is more than capable of handling.”

“Nick and the kids came back to town because of the storm, so I can give it a little time this week.”

“As long as you take some downtime, too.”

“I will.” Sam looked up at the man who’d been so much more than a boss to her. “So, you’re not pissed with me anymore?”

“When did I say that?”

“All righty, then.”

“You and McBride defied a direct order. That won’t be soon forgotten.”

“She found ten missing kids.” Sam shrugged. “I’d do it again if I had it to do over.”

“Good to know.” He ran his fingers through his gray hair, frustration rolling off him in waves. “I’m trying to keep our chief from being fired, Sam. Do you get that?”

“I do, but I also have to support my team, and Jeannie was too far down the road with this case to let it go. At the end of the day, we have to be able to look ourselves in the mirror and like what we’re seeing.”

“I get that. I really do, but the firestorm is so not what we need right now.”

“I’m sorry about that. I truly am. The last thing in the world I want is for the chief to get fired or be under any more scrutiny than he already is. But we had to see this through. I can only hope that the lives saved will outweigh the other side of the story.”