“He was,” Freddie said again. “He totally nailed it.”

  “No, you can’t have a raise,” Gonzo said, embarrassed by his friend’s effusiveness.

  “Thank you both for a job well done,” Malone said. “It’s a relief to have a partial victory.”

  “I still want to know why we had to release Bryant,” Gonzo said.

  “You and me both,” Malone replied as he headed to his office.

  “I have to call the mother,” Gonzo said.

  “You want me to do that for you?”

  “It’s nice of you to offer, but I’ll do it. Thanks for being my wingman in there.”

  “Always a pleasure, Sarge.”

  “If you hug me, I’ll punch you.”

  “I’m not going to hug you. Go away. Make your call.”

  Laughing, Gonzo went into the office and shut the door. He sat behind the desk and sent a text to Sam before he made the call. Got Tori to plead to MFH and accessory. 17-20 inside.

  He’d tell her the details later. It was better not to put such things in writing.

  GREAT NEWS, Sam replied. I was worried.

  That meant she’d heard about Bryant being sprung. They’d have a lot to talk about when she returned from vacation. You and me both. Now I gotta call the mother.

  Hugs, friend. Thanks for all you do.

  Sure thing.

  Because it wouldn’t get any easier if he put it off, Gonzo dialed Caroline Fortier’s number and waited for her to pick up.

  “Hello?”

  “Mrs. Fortier, this is Sergeant Gonzales in Washington.”

  “Do you know what happened to my daughter?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said. “We do.”

  As he told her the story, she broke down into sobs. “We told her to go to the police about the harassment, but she didn’t want to be involved with it. She said the ex-girlfriend was no threat to her, so what did she care?”

  “By all accounts, your daughter was a wonderful person. Everyone in the dorm said the nicest things about her. I was struck by her roommate, Harley, saying they got off to a rough start that lasted all of a week because you couldn’t not love Rachel.”

  “That sounds about right,” she said, sniffling. “You said Tori hired someone. Will that person be charged, too?”

  Gonzo closed his eyes as he said, “We’re working on that part. I wanted to tell you about Tori, though. She was the mastermind.”

  “What does it say about me that I’m heartbroken for her parents, too?”

  “It says you’re a good person who didn’t deserve to lose your wonderful daughter in such a senseless way.”

  “Thank you for that. It’s very kind of you. We’re not sure how to go forward from here.”

  “It’s not the same thing at all, but I lost my partner on the job more than a year ago. All I can tell you is it’s a one-day-at-a-time journey.”

  “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

  “Thank you. Another thing I’d tell you is to be careful relying on any sort of medicinal relief. That didn’t work out well for me at all.”

  “Are you doing better now?”

  “Much better, and grateful that my wife and colleagues stood by me during the struggle.”

  “I appreciate you sharing that with me. It helps.”

  “I know you’re not local, but my boss—”

  “You mean the first lady?”

  “Yes,” he said with a chuckle, “that’s her. She and our department psychiatrist have started a grief group for the families of violent crime victims. I’ll confess that at first I was skeptical, but I’ve been a few times, and it’s helped. If you’re interested, I could send you information about when and where the meetings are.”

  “I’d appreciate that. At some point, we’ll have to come there to recover Rachel’s belongings. Perhaps there’ll be a meeting while we’re there.”

  “Please feel free to get in touch any time, and I’ll keep you apprised of the hearings, too. There’ll be one coming up for the judge to approve the plea agreement.”

  “I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Your mother must be very proud of you, Sergeant. Thank you again for your kindness to us during this terrible time.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said, touched by her kindness.

  As he always did after closing a case, he marveled at the examples of incredible grace and resiliency he witnessed from victims’ families. If someone killed his wife or son, he wouldn’t respond with grace. That was for sure.

  He shuddered at the mere thought of such a thing. He’d barely survived losing his partner. There was no way he’d survive losing Christina or Alex. And now there was a baby girl on the way who’d probably make him her bitch. He couldn’t wait.

  The thought of Christina made him want to talk to her. After he put through the call, he winced, realizing she was probably asleep.

  “Hey,” she said, sounding sleepy and sexy.

  “Sorry to wake you.”

  “It’s okay. I was dozing while watching TV. Another long one for you, huh?”

  “Yeah, but we mostly closed the Fortier case.”

  “Mostly?”

  “That’s a long story. I’ll tell you when I get home. I just have to write it up, and then I’ll be outta here.”

  “There’s dinner for you in the fridge.”

  “You’re too good to me.”

  She snorted out a laugh. “It’s nothing fancy.”

  “It is if you made it.”

  “Okay, then. We’ll see what you think of it.”

  “I’ll be home soon.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  “Counting on that, babe.”

  “Are you okay, Tommy? You sound… off.”

  “It’s been a heck of a day around here.”

  “When isn’t it?”

  “More so than usual today. I’ll tell you when I see you. How’re you feeling?”

  “Fat, nauseated and swollen. You’re going to throw me over before this is done.”

  “Never. I’d be nothing without you, and you know it.”

  “That’s not true, but I’ll let you say nice things about me.” She yawned. “Sorry.”

  “Get some rest, babe. I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  He put down the phone, determined to get the reports done so he could get home to her. It wouldn’t matter that she was asleep. Being near her was enough to bring him the kind of peace and comfort he needed after a hellish day like this one.

  Freddie came to the door.

  “I thought you’d left.”

  “Randy Bryant has been murdered.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  They were quiet as Gonzo drove them across town in his car. The words what the fuck? cycled through his mind on repeat. Four hours after Randy had been released from their custody, he was dead. How was that going to come back to haunt them and everyone who’d been involved with his release?

  “Will this tank our deal with Tori?”

  Gonzo gripped the wheel tighter. “I don’t know. It might. She signed it thinking we had Randy to testify against her. I took a chance lying to her, and now it’s blowing up in my face.”

  “We’ve still got plenty to tie her to Rachel’s murder.”

  “But now she and her attorneys will know we don’t have the smoking gun.”

  “Yeah.”

  Gonzo’s stomach churned with heartburn and an overall sick feeling over how a case that’d seemed somewhat simple at the outset had blown up in their faces. He called Malone over the Bluetooth. “Cap, we have a problem.”

  “What now?”

  “Randy Bryant has been found murdered down by the river.”

  “Come on. You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “I wish I was.”

  “What the fuck is happening here?”

  “No idea, but we’re on our way. I’ll update you later.”

  “Send me the address. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Cruz is texting it now.”

  “Thanks.”

  The line went dead.

  “I’m glad he’s coming,” Gonzo said. “This feels above our pay grade.”

  “Right? A congressman’s son is arrested on murder-for-hire charges, then the USA orders us to release him, and now he’s dead, all in the scope of a couple of days.”

  “This is crazy even by our wide definition of the word.” Gonzo’s phone rang, and he took the call from Sam. “Hey.”

  “How’s it going?”

  “You won’t believe it. We released Bryant’s son and now he’s been murdered.”

  “Whoa. I can’t get my head around this.”

  “Right there with you.”

  “Keep me posted.”

  “We will.”

  * * *

  “What now?” Nick asked after she ended the call.

  She glanced toward the stairs to make sure the kids were still upstairs getting washed up for dinner after an hour on the beach. “Remember how Forrester ordered us to release Randy Bryant, the congressman’s son?”

  “What about it?”

  “The son has been murdered.”

  “Whoa. Didn’t he just get sprung today?”

  “About four hours before he was found dead.”

  “Oh shit.”

  Sam bit her thumbnail as she pondered the fallout. “They used the threat of him testifying to make a deal with the woman who masterminded the murder for hire.”

  “Will that deal fall apart now?”

  “It could. A judge hadn’t signed off on it yet.”

  “Crap. If you need to deal with work, I can feed the troops.”

  “That’s okay. Gonzo and the others are on it. There’s nothing I can do from here.”

  Angela, Tracy, Mike and their kids arrived just as Sam was preparing to serve dinner. “You’re right on time,” she said as she hugged her sisters, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.

  “What’s up, Flotsam?” her nephew Jack asked with a big grin that revealed a missing front tooth.

  “Not much, Lo-Jack, and what happened to your tooth?”

  “The tooth fairy needed it. I got five bucks!”

  “Five bucks? That’s outrageous, Jack-o-Lantern.”

  “Tell me about it,” Angela said. “It was a tooth fairy shakedown.”

  “It’s inflation,” Jack said as he ran to greet Scotty and the other kids.

  “How does he know about inflation?” Nick asked with a laugh.

  “This is what happens when we send them to school,” Sam said.

  Angela nodded as she poured a glass of the decaffeinated iced tea Sam had brewed for her. “School is the root of all evil if you ask me. He’s learned words I thought I wouldn’t hear from him for years.”

  “Oh no,” Sam said as she tried not to laugh.

  “Oh yes.”

  “It’s possible he might’ve heard some of them from me.”

  “Sam!”

  “What can I say? I love a good swear word.”

  “What’s my beloved done now?” Nick asked as he reached for a Sam Adams in the fridge.

  Angela glared at her sister. “It’s possible she’s taught my sweet, precious, innocent Jack some naughty words.”

  Nick laughed as he kissed the top of Sam’s head. “Yes, it’s very possible. We’re working on it. Scotty’s got his college paid for thanks to the swear jar.”

  “You’re supposed to be on my side, mister,” Sam said.

  “I’m on the side of truth, babe.”

  Angela laughed.

  Sam hadn’t realized how much she’d needed to see her sister laugh the way she used to before disaster struck.

  “What?” Angela asked when she caught Sam watching her.

  “It’s nice to see you laugh again.”

  “Feels good to laugh. Keep it coming this weekend, okay?”

  “I’ll do what I can for my people.”

  * * *

  Whoever had killed Randy Bryant had sent a message. He was unrecognizable. If it weren’t for the red Vans sneakers, Gonzo wouldn’t have been sure it was him, but the student ID confirmed it.

  The body had been dumped behind a warehouse by the Potomac.

  “Who called it in?” Gonzo asked the Patrol officer who’d met them.

  “Night security guy.” The officer pointed to a man being tended to by EMTs. “He’s shook up because he recognized those red sneakers. The victim’s dad owns the place, so he’s seen him around.”

  As they walked over to talk to the security guard, Gonzo glanced at Freddie. “Find out where Congressman Bryant lives locally.”

  Freddie pulled out his phone and got to work.

  “You found the body?” Gonzo asked the older man, who was indeed shaken up. He had white hair and a ruddy complexion that indicated he either worked outside a lot or was a big drinker. Gonzo wasn’t sure which it was.

  He wiped tearful blue eyes with a tissue a female EMT handed him.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Dennis Coughlin.” He dabbed at his eyes. “Kid can’t be more than twenty years old. I got grandsons that age. Who could’ve done such a thing?”

  “Are there security cameras down here?”

  “Only in the front.”

  So whoever had dumped Randy there had known they wouldn’t be seen. “What goes on at this place?”

  “They fabricate parts for ships or something like that. I’m not really sure.”

  “How long have you worked here?”

  “About six months. Thought it would be an easy retirement gig. Now I’m not so sure.”

  “Have there been other incidents that were concerning or questionable?”

  “Nothing like this, but they’re secretive about what goes on inside the big building. We’re told to stay out of there. Our job is to work the perimeter and keep out trespassers.”

  “What’s the name of the company?”

  “Capital Retrofitters.”

  “Who do you take orders from?”

  “Gavin Daugherty, the director of security.”

  “Where can we find him?”

  “He’s not here. I can give you his number.”

  Gonzo wrote down the number Dennis provided from his phone. “Did you call him to tell him a body had been found on the premises?”

  “I texted him. I haven’t heard back.”

  “So you’re the only one here tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you see anyone back here?”

  “I didn’t see anything. All I can tell you is when I did my eight o’clock rounds, he wasn’t there. When I came back around at nine, he was.”

  “Do you follow the same routine on every shift?”

  “For the most part. We all do.”

  Gonzo handed him a business card. “Have your boss give me a call.”

  “I’ll tell him.”

  Freddie went to meet the medical examiner team.

  After Gonzo took down Dennis’s address and phone number, he asked the EMTs if he was okay to be released.

  “His BP is very high, Sarge.”

  “Why don’t you take him in, just to be sure?”

  “That’s not necessary,” Dennis said. “I’m not supposed to leave the place unattended.”

  “It’s crawling with cops, and I’d feel better if we had a doctor look at you.” Gonzo didn’t want the man dropping dead on his watch. “Better safe than sorry.”

  Dennis released a deep sigh. “If you say so.”

  Gonzo nodded to the EMT, who helped Dennis get settled in the back of the ambulance. “If you think of anything else I should know, you’ve got my number.”

  After the ambulance pulled away, Gonzo called Captain Malone. “I’m at the scene where Bryant was found. Someone is sending a message with the way this kid was killed. I wouldn’t have recognized him if he hadn’t been wearing the same sneakers he had on earlier. Student ID in his pocket confirmed his identity.” He told him everything he’d learned from the security guard.

  “What’re you thinking?”

  “Do we know who picked him up when he was released?”

  “I’ll find out.”

  “We need Crime Scene here. Is anyone available?”

  “Haggerty has released most of his team back to regular duty while the forensic people do their thing at Stahl’s. I’ll send them over.”

  “After we get them started, Cruz and I will pay the father a visit.” It also occurred to him that he’d have to call Bryant’s mother, who’d seemed sweet and sincere when she’d told him Randy was her whole life. God, he wasn’t looking forward to that.

  “Damn,” Dr. Byron Tomlinson said as he stood over the bloody body. “Do we have a positive ID?”

  “Randy Bryant,” Cruz said. “Age twenty, a student at GW, originally from the Milwaukee area.”

  “Any clue what landed him here?”

  “Nothing solid yet,” Gonzo said. “But a time of death would help tremendously.”

  “I’ll get it for you as soon as I can.” Byron gestured to his team to prepare the body for transport. “Did I hear this kid was in our custody earlier on the murder-for-hire case but was cut loose?”

  “You heard correctly,” Gonzo said.

  “Is that going to be a problem?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine, man.”

  “The father lives in Adams Morgan,” Freddie told him.

  “As soon as Crime Scene arrives, let’s pay him a visit.”

  * * *

  On the way to Adams Morgan, Malone texted Gonzo to say someone named Hal Summers had picked Randy up when he was released from custody. Gonzo handed his phone to Cruz. “Figure out who that guy is.”

  Two minutes later, Cruz said, “He’s Bryant’s chief of staff and a longtime operative in Wisconsin politics.”

  He took a call from Malone. “What’s up, Cap?”

  “I just got off the phone with Tori Stevens’s attorney. Apparently, the word is out about Randy being dead, and they plan to contest the deal.”

  “Great.” Heartburn made Gonzo’s chest burn. “How did they hear about Randy?”

  “I asked, but he refused to say.”

  “This entire case stinks like ten-day-old dog shit.”

  What had seemed like a simple murder-for-hire case—or as simple as such things ever were—had descended into chaos.