“I know. And I hear you when you say you wouldn’t do it any differently if you had it to do over.”
“The whole time Ethan was missing, all I could think of was what we’d ever do without him. I would’ve broken the law, if that’s what it’d taken, to get him back safely.”
“I’d advise that you keep that part to yourself if or when you speak to Ruiz about this.”
Sam wouldn’t have expected to laugh right then. “I’ll try to contain myself. Am I looking at a rap here?”
“Nothing official. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, Joe, Jeannie and I are inclined to give you latitude and told Ruiz we supported her discussing it with you but wouldn’t support formal disciplinary action.”
“Thank goodness for small favors.”
“It’s actually a big favor because you were way out of line, as you said.”
“I know, and I do appreciate it, as well as the heads-up on incoming from Ruiz.”
When he stood to leave, she said, “Don’t forget to keep me in the loop on the other thing.”
“I won’t.”
“Cap.”
He turned back to her, brow raised.
“I know it doesn’t need to be said, but you… you mean a lot to me, to all of us.”
He smiled. “I promise to stick around to bother you for a good long time.”
“I intend to hold you to that promise.”
“Have a good day.”
“You, too.”
Sam was still processing the things Malone had told her when Freddie gave a knock and ducked his head in. “Everything okay with Malone?”
She gave a quick nod, because no, everything wasn’t all right, but it wasn’t her news to share.
“There’s a young woman here asking to speak to you and only you. Wouldn’t say what it’s about. Seems extremely nervous. She’s carrying two bags, and I asked to see what was in them to make sure she’s not carrying. It was all clothes and stuffed animals.”
“Bring her in.”
Freddie returned a few minutes later with a tall woman with brown skin, long braids and troubled brown eyes. She had a backpack on her shoulder and held a second bag in one hand. “This is Lieutenant Holland.”
“Thank you for seeing me.”
“Of course. What’s your name?”
The woman put down both bags, removed her coat, sat in one of Sam’s visitor chairs and then glanced at Freddie, silently asking for privacy.
“I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
After the door clicked shut behind him, Sam got up and came around the desk to sit next to her. “You’re obviously upset.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I’ve been counting down to this day for years.”
Sam pulled a tissue from a box on her desk and handed it to her. “What’s special about today?”
“It’s my eighteenth birthday.”
