“Could you maybe, just this once, consider an actual swear word?”

“I just did.”

“Hell is not a swear!” Sam dialed HQ. “This is Lieutenant Holland. Put me through to the pit, please.”

“The what?”

“The Homicide Detectives’ Division,” Sam said sweetly, though she was seething on the inside.

“One moment, please.”

“Who trains these imbeciles who answer the phones?”

“Obviously not you.”

“Right? Because if I did at least they’d speak MPD basics.”

“Among other things.”

“What was that, Detective?”

“I was just saying how right you are, Lieutenant.”

“Thought so. Why isn’t anyone answering the goddamn phone?” She hung up and redialed. “Chief Farnsworth, please.”

“Who’s calling, please?”

“Lieutenant Holland.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Let me put you right through. And may I say congrat—”

“If you want to keep your job, don’t say it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Is this what the new year is going to be like? Because I gotta say, I’m not digging it so far.” The line clicked before the chief came on the line. “Holland?”

“Yes, sir. I got a curious call from Darren Tabor, who seemed to know an awful lot about who our victim is and how she was related to Gonzo. In fact, he said Gonzo is rumored to be our top suspect when that is not at all true.”

“How the hell did he get all that?”

“That’s what I’d like to know. He said it came from inside MPD.”

“After what went down with Stahl, no way is anyone here going to be stupid enough to use our phones to make calls to the media.”

“He didn’t say the call came from inside HQ. He said the source was from inside.”

“Any thoughts on who it might be?”

“Normally I’d say Stahl, but he’s been on best behavior since he somehow managed to post bond to get out of lockup until his trial. And I’d still like to know how he got the dough for that.”

“As would I.”

“Ramsey in SVU has something up his ass with my name on it.”

“That’s a lovely visual, Lieutenant.”

“He told me to fuck off just this morning, in fact. I reported it to Davidson, not that he’ll do anything about it.”

“He really told you to fuck off? Over what?”

“I believe I said good morning to him. It was an unprovoked attack.”

“What’ve you done in the past to warrant his enmity?”

“I’ve been my usual charming self with him. I had a minute with Erica Lucas after I talked to Davidson, and she inferred there’s some info to be had there. We’re going to do coffee.”

“While you do coffee, I’ll have a word with Ramsey and see if he’s our leaker.”

“Don’t let on that I told you anything.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“How’s it going with Public Affairs?”

“Like having a root canal without the drugs.”

Sam grimaced at the exhaustion she heard in his voice. “Listen, your little mouse outside the door, what’s her name?”

“Do you mean Helen, my admin?”

Helen! That was it. “Yeah, her.”

“And you wonder why you’re always pissing people off.”

“I don’t actually wonder.”

He grunted out a laugh. “What about her?”

“She’s worried about you. Doesn’t like your color. Gotta say I agree with her. You’re looking a little gray around the edges.”

“Got a few things on my mind.”

“Look, I know you’re a big boy and can take care of yourself, but you’ll be no good to us if you go down physically over this. First of all, that scumbag Springer isn’t worth risking your health, and second of all, well, I don’t have a second of all other than we all need you healthy. Will you see someone? Please?”

“Marti has been after me about the same thing,” he said of his wife. “I’ll make an appointment.”

“You’ll do it now? After we hang up?”

“Yes, Sam! I said I’d do it. Now, where are you?”

“Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the way to Baltimore, of all places.”

“What the hell for?”

“A lead on the Phillips case. She met a guy online who lives there. We’re trying to piece together her final days without cell or computer data to work from yet.”

“All right. Keep me posted. Have you heard from Hill yet?”

“No. Should I have?”

“He’s been called in. Expect a call from him.”

“Oh, joy. This day just gets better all the time.”

Freddie’s phone rang, and he took the call after glancing at the caller ID.

“I gotta get back to the meeting with Public Affairs,” Farnsworth said. “In case I forgot to tell you, good thinking earlier on getting out there with our side of the story. I’ve been in hunker-down mode, but you’re right that the public needs to hear from me.”

“I’m usually right. That’s what Nick says.”

“Jesus. I walked right into that one. Keep me in the loop on Phillips.”

“I will. Call the doctor. Bye.” Satisfied she’d made her point and kept her promise to Helen, she slapped the phone closed. See, that right there was why she’d never get a smartphone. You couldn’t slap them closed.

Chapter Nine

“What do you mean he hit you?” Freddie was saying, his voice tense. He remained rigidly still as he listened. “So he just punched you? For no reason?” After some more listening, he said, “Call it into MPD or I’ll do it for you. Want me to do it?” A short pause. “Yes, Elin! It’s a crime when someone punches you in the face. And you also need to be seen at the ER. Can someone take you?”

Sam gave him a questioning look.

“She broke up a fight at the gym, and some guy punched her.”

“I can call it in.”

He held up a finger, telling her to wait a minute. “Did someone call the cops and rescue?” he asked. “All right. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m outside of Baltimore right now, so it’ll be a little while. You’re sure you’re okay?” He rested his head on his hand, which was propped on the car door. “Yeah, baby. I love you. Sorry you got hurt. I’ll get there soon.” He ended the call and held the phone in a tight grip.

“She’s okay?”

“She says she is, but I can tell she’s been crying.”

“I’ll get you to her as soon as possible.”

Nodding, he stared out the window at the sea of traffic standing between them and the city.

“Did you get through to Baltimore PD?”

“Yeah, they’ve had eyes on the guy’s place for a while now. They aren’t sure if he’s into drugs or hookers.”

“Fabulous. Warrant?”

“They’re willing to get it for us if they can have in on the search.”

“Of course they want in.”

“We would too.”

“Does that wonder phone of yours know any back routes into the city?”

He seemed relieved to have something to do besides worry about his injured girlfriend. After a couple of minutes of intense typing, he instructed her to take the next exit. Twenty anxious minutes later, they pulled onto Hughes’s street in the Fells Point section of Baltimore, where they spent ten more minutes looking for a place to park.

“I used to love to come drinking up here in the summer,” Sam said. “One of my college friends was from here. Those were some good times.”

Freddie took a look around at the quaint area. “I don’t think I’ve ever been here before.”

“Not much of a party animal, are you?” she asked as they got out of the car.

“Not then and not now.”

“You ever just want to bust loose and go wild?”

“How do you know I don’t?” he asked.

“Right. Your idea of wild is sex after church.” His usual snappy comeback was stifled by his worries over Elin. “She’s going to be all right, you know. She was talking and crying and mad. Those are all good things.”

“I hate that I’m all the way up here when she needs me.”

“You’ll be with her soon enough.” Sam wrapped her scarf around her neck. “How is it colder up here than it is in D.C.?”

“We’re right by the Inner Harbor. Wind is colder off the water.”

Different shades of brick distinguished the townhouses where Liam Hughes lived. “I wouldn’t get lost as easily here.”