Home > Fatal Reckoning (Fatal #14)(18)

Fatal Reckoning (Fatal #14)(18)
Author: Marie Force

“Can you come outside for a minute? Morgue entrance?”

“I’m coming.” Before heading for the morgue, she ducked her head into the conference room, where Cruz, Green and McBride were sorting through boxes containing her father’s files. “I’ll be back in a few. Feel free to dive in.”

“What’re we looking for, Lieutenant?” Green asked.

“I have no idea. I just hope we’ll recognize it when we see it.”

“Got it. We’re on it.”

She took off for the morgue entrance and had the spectacularly bad luck of encountering Sergeant Ramsey coming down the stairs from the second floor, back from serving his latest suspension. She noted with satisfaction that he had nasty scabs on his face and hands from when he’d fallen through the window.

“Awww, so sad about your daddy.” His condescending tone had become familiar to her. “Who’s going to protect you now?”

Having learned her lesson after punching him once before, she resisted the urge this time and kept moving, determined not to give him the satisfaction of rattling her. But if consequences weren’t a factor, she’d happily stab the son of a bitch through the heart with the rustiest steak knife she could find.

She pushed open the exit door by the morgue and stepped into the chilly autumn air.

Across the parking lot, Gonzo stood outside Christina’s car, arms crossed.

Christina waved to her from the driver’s seat.

“Thanks for coming out. I didn’t think it was a good idea to go inside when I’m supposedly on sick leave.”

“No problem.” He looked good, Sam thought again, relieved by the return of the sharp-eyed gaze she remembered from before disaster struck. “Whatever they’re doing for you in Baltimore seems to be working.”

“So it would seem.”

“You’re going back?”

He nodded. “We’re leaving now, but I wanted to see you before I go.”

“I’m glad you came by.”

“I wish I could help with what I’m sure you’re working on today.”

“You need to focus on yourself and your health. That’s what I want you to do. We need you whole and healthy.”

“I’m working on it. Are you okay?”

“I’m hanging in there. It’ll help to give the case a fresh look.”

“I won’t keep you.” He stepped forward to hug her. “Take care of yourself, Sam. Ask for help if you need it. Sometimes I wonder what might’ve been different if I’d done that.”

She returned the hug. “I hear you. Thanks for being here for everything. Means a lot.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it. You know how much we all loved him.”

“I do. Your friendship meant a lot to him.”

“I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Let us know when you can have visitors.” She smiled. “We’ll get the Secret Service to drive us up.”

“I’ll do that.” He went around to get into the car.

Sam knocked on Christina’s window. “Call me if you need anything,” she said after Christina lowered the window.

“You do the same.”

Sam nodded and waved them off, comforted to see her sergeant and close friend seeming better. Finally. There had been times over the last nine months when she’d had cause to wonder if he’d ever get past the awful tragedy of Arnold’s death. She’d wondered if he would be able to continue to do the job.

Detective Will Tyrone had left the department after his close friend Arnold’s death, because he couldn’t bear to do the job anymore. Gonzo had told Freddie that Will was lucky to be able to quit, something Gonzo didn’t have the luxury of doing with a family to support. Now, perhaps, it was safe to hope he would get the help he needed, find a way to cope and get back on track in all areas of his life.

As she went back to the pit, she was waylaid again, this time by Dr. Trulo, the department shrink. “A word, Lieutenant?”

With him it was never a word. It was always a lot of words. Resigned to everyone wanting something from her today, she led him into her office. “I just saw Gonzo. He’s heading back to rehab.”

Trulo closed the door. “I thought he seemed much better when I saw him at the funeral.”

“Agreed, but it’s early days yet. I’m taking it as a good sign that he’s willingly returning to treatment.”

“It’s a very good sign.” He gave her an assessing look, his gaze sharp and focused as always. “How’re you holding up?”

“I’m okay.” Maybe if she kept saying it, people would eventually quit asking.

“Really, or are you telling me what you think I want to hear?”

“Would I do that?”

He laughed. “Never.”

“I’m going to miss him like crazy, but I won’t miss the wheelchair or seeing him unable to do anything but lift an eyebrow. I won’t miss that at all.”

“Understandable. He wasn’t my father, and I found it excruciating to see him reduced to what he was left with after the shooting. I imagine you’re attacking his case with fresh eyes and new leads after the call for tips.”

“You imagine correctly.”

“I want you to prepare yourself for the possibility of more of the same. There’s a fresh wave of interest and grief that’ll give you hope and resolve that could lead to more disappointment.”

“I know what you’re saying, and I’m prepared for the possibility that we may never close the case. But don’t we have to try?”

“We absolutely have to try. And if there’s anyone who can figure this out once and for all, it’s you.”

She released a huff of laughter. “I haven’t had much luck thus far.”

“My money is on you, kid.”

“Thanks. Appreciate the support, and my dad did too. The department was good to him after the shooting. None of us will ever forget that.”

“We loved him.” The simplicity of his statement brought tears to her eyes.

“I’ve been thinking about something the last couple of days that I might want to talk to you about in more detail when things settle down.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s rough at this point, but going through the paces after my dad died, I started thinking about all the people I meet on this job who’re victims of violent crime. I’m a victim of violent crime. My family members are victims. I think about Nick’s friend Derek Kavanaugh, who lost his wife to murder, and the people who were caught up in the drive-by shootings, like Vanessa Marchand’s dad and Joe Kramer, who lost his wife. I think about my niece Brooke, who was raped the night of the Springer murders. We get justice for them, but then what? What happens to them after we close the case?”

“It’s a good question.”

“There’re so many of them, Doc. It seems to me like we could be doing more to support them.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I’m not sure yet, but maybe some sort of support group or something that brings them together in a way that lets them know they’re not alone. I don’t know... Like I said, it’s rough at this point.”

“I like the idea a lot.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “I think it could be a tremendous community service project for you to take on as the Homicide lieutenant and as a victim of violent crime yourself. You’re uniquely positioned to lead something like this.”

“Whoa.” Laughing, she held up a hand to stop him. “I never said anything about leading it.”

“Didn’t you? It’s your idea, and who better to make something like this happen than someone who not only sees the need on a daily basis but who has also been on this journey herself?”

“I don’t know, Doc. I barely have time to see my husband and family as it is. Not sure I could take on something else.”

“You wouldn’t be doing it alone.”

“Does that mean you’d be interested in working with me on something like this?”

“Absolutely. It would be my honor to help you make this happen.”

“Let me give it some more thought and get back to you when things calm down.”

“Sounds like a plan. Before I leave you to your work, I’ll remind you that my door is always open to you. These are difficult days for you, your squad, your family. I’m here if I can be of assistance to any of you.”

“That helps. Thank you.”

“I hate to bring up other wounds when you’re dealing with a new one, but with Stahl’s trial coming soon, I’d like to set up some time to talk about how we’re going to get you through that challenge.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t think I need it. I’m very resolved to testifying and helping to put him away for life.”

“Sam... Please don’t underestimate the trauma of having to face off with the man who tried to kill you—twice.”

“I’m not underestimating it. I’m simply refusing to give him any more of my time or attention than he’s already gotten.”

“Fair enough, but if you should change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“I do, and I appreciate you. I really do.”

“I’ll let you get on with your day, Lieutenant, and I’ll wish you well in the effort to apprehend your father’s shooter. We’re all hoping for a successful resolution to his case.”

Sam nodded and gave him a grateful smile.

After he left, she took a minute to settle her overloaded emotions. The reminder of Stahl’s upcoming trial was just another thing on her already overflowing plate. Adding the organization of a support group for the victims of violent crime to her to-do list was probably madness. She didn’t have time to breathe most days. However, the recent drive-by shootings and the family members left behind had been weighing heavily on her mind.

   
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