Greetings were exchanged and the man fell into an effusive tone, with Myers complimenting Rhyme on the resolution of the case.

“Never in a million years would have seen that potentiality,” the captain said.

“Was surprised at how it turned out.”

“I’ll say. Some pretty decent deductions on your part.”

The word “decent” only describes that which is socially proper or non-obscene; it doesn’t mean fair or good. But you can’t change a jargonist so Rhyme kept mum. He realized that silence had descended as Myers took in the gas chromatograph with an intensity that circumstances—and the equipment itself—didn’t warrant.

Then the captain looked around the lab and observed that they were alone.

And Rhyme knew.

“This’s about Amelia, right, Bill?”

Wishing he hadn’t used her first name. Neither of them was the least superstitious, except in this tradition. They never referred to each other by their givens.

“Yes. Lon talked to you? About my problems with her health issues?”

“He did.”

“Let me unpack it further,” Myers said. “I allowed her some time to finish this case and then have her take a medical. But I’m not going that route. I read the report of the take-down in Glen Cove, when she and Officer Pulaski collared Jacob Swann. The medic’s report said that her knee gave out completely after the suspect noticed she was in pain and kicked or hit it. If Officer Pulaski hadn’t been there she would have been killed. And Spencer Boston too, and maybe a few of the tactical officers as they did a dynamic entry.”

Rhyme said bluntly, “She took down the perp, Bill.”

“She was lucky. The report said afterward she could hardly walk.”

“She’s fine now.”

“Is she?”

No, she wasn’t. Rhyme said nothing.

“It’s the elephant in the room, Lincoln. Nobody wants to talk about it but it’s a problematic circumstance. She’s putting herself and other people at risk. I wanted to talk to you alone about this. We huddled and conjured up a decision. I’m promoting her out of the field. She’ll be a supervisor in Major Cases. And we’ll rank her. Sergeant. But I know there’ll be pushback from her.”

Rhyme was furious. This was his Sachs the captain was talking about in the cheapest of clichés.

But he kept silent.

The captain continued, “I need you to talk her into it, Lincoln. We don’t want to lose her; she’s too good. But the department can’t keep her if she insists on being in the field. Desking her’s the only option.”