“This is Dan 61, we’re en route to Midvale Avenue,” Mann shouted into the car radio. “Have all units use caution. That male is wanted for investigation in connection with multiple murders.”

Within minutes, Coletti was flying through Fairmount Park on the way to Kelly Drive while Mann frantically dialed Sandy on his iPhone.

She answered on the first ring. “I’m all right,” she said. “The guy is gone.”

“Gone where?” Mann asked as Coletti sped along the twisting drive that ran along the river.

“I’ll talk to you when you get here,” she said, sounding a bit shaken.

Sandy disconnected, and in the next few minutes, every possible scenario went through Mann’s mind. Coletti could see that his imagination was running wild. He wasn’t cruel enough to say anything.

In minutes, they were in the East Falls neighborhood where Sandy lived. On one end, the neighborhood housed some of the city’s most powerful politicians. On the other, it was a hodgepodge of mixed-income housing, unfinished commercial development, and trendy bars that catered to the young professionals who worked and played nearby.

That was where Sandy lived—in a house that was just two blocks from Kelly Drive. When she moved there, it was the house of her dreams.

“Are you all right?” Mann asked as he jumped out of the car and ran past five thirty-ninth district squad cars to get to her.

“I’m fine,” Sandy said as she melted into his arms.

They embraced with their eyes shut tight, thinking of what they meant to each other. Then Mann held her at arm’s length, his eyes jumping frantically from her face to her body and back again. When he was sure that she looked all right, he allowed his other senses to take over.

She was still wearing her robe, and the scent of the Angel cream and perfume was emanating from her skin. She smelled like a slice of heaven, but her eyes said she’d been through hell.

“You keep saying you’re fine, but you don’t look it,” Mann said as Coletti came alongside him. “What happened?”

“Somebody tried to break in,” she said, looking angrily at Coletti.

Clearly, she wasn’t as forgiving as her boyfriend, and as the seconds passed, it was equally apparent that she wasn’t about to talk until Coletti left.

“I’ll take a walk,” he said.

Mann glanced at him, and his expression was almost one of gratitude. He turned back to Sandy and placed an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go inside.”

She allowed him to lead her into the doorway, but as soon as they were out of earshot of the other officers who were milling about outside, she turned around with fire in her eyes. “I want you off this case,” she said.

“What are you talking about?”