“Thank you for all your support.”
“Of course. How’s Memphis?”
“She’s doing much better. Getting around easier and ready to get back to work, although that’s not happening for about six more weeks. She’s going to Kentucky with me, though, to provide backup in more ways than one.”
“Please let me know how it goes. I’ll be on pins and needles waiting to hear from you.”
“I will.”
“Good luck and Godspeed, Jesse.”
“Thank you. I’ll be in touch.”
The hope she heard in his voice made her ache for him, along with the fear that he could be on yet another wild-goose chase to try to find the younger sister who’d disappeared so suddenly from his life. She was glad that Memphis would be with him to provide personal and professional support. Sam liked the feisty young agent who had the intractable Jesse Best tied up in knots, and she was looking forward to hearing more about them as a couple. Since Memphis was his subordinate at work, they’d eventually have to deal with that challenge, but hopefully, they could work something out.
“Hey,” Freddie said from the doorway. “How’d it go?”
“As expected. Glad it’s over.”
“Are we going to find Henderson now?”
She wrinkled her nose. “As soon as I get changed, and we have to go to Arlington.”
“Oh, the horrors of leaving the District.”
“I’m glad you feel my pain.”
“I don’t feel it. Not at all. I’m not a homer like you.”
“I’m very misunderstood.”
“Haha, hardly. O’Brien asked for a word before we leave.”
“Send him in.”
Detective Matt O’Brien appeared in the doorway a minute later, looking nervous and out of sorts. He had a stocky build, reddish brown hair and bright blue eyes.
“Come in. Shut the door.”
When he was settled in one of her visitor chairs, Sam said, “Everything all right?”
“Everything is really great, except for one thing…”
“What’s that?”
“I have to give notice. I’m moving to Boston to be with my girlfriend, who landed her dream job there.”
“Oh wow.” Sam hadn’t seen that coming. “That’s great for her, but I’ll be sorry to lose you on the team.”
“I’m devastated over it, but I’m hoping I can count on you for a recommendation when I apply to the Boston PD.”
“Absolutely.”
“I want you to know… Having a front-row seat to your relationship with your husband made me realize how important it is to go all in with the one you love, no matter where it might take you. I love Olivia, and I want a life with her, so I’m going all in.”
“You’ll never be sorry you did what it took to be together.”
Sam stood and came around her desk to hug the detective. “We’ll miss you here, but I wish you all the best.”
