Fatal Series 01 - Fatal Affair

confidence in me to let me close this case. Where will that leave me?”
    “You’re a decorated officer. Soon to be a lieutenant. This is a setback. That’s all it is.”
    “On top of another setback. You want me to take command of the detective squad. I won’t have an ounce of authority left if you take this case away from me.”
    “Your safety has to be a consideration. They’ve come at you once. They’ll come at you again.”
    “Next time, I’ll be ready. I screwed up this time because I didn’t take her seriously. I know better now.”
    “I’ve got to talk to the chief about this. He’s having a fucking cow. Gonzo and Arnold have Destiny Johnson in interview right now. Because we’ve had her in lock-up since yesterday, she’s playing dumb on the bombing.”
    Freddie came rushing into the Emergency Room, looking pale and panicked. “Oh, thank God,” he said when he saw Sam talking with Malone. “Thank you, Jesus.”
    “If you hug me, I’ll have you busted down to patrol,” Sam snarled at him.
    Freddie stopped just short of the embrace, bent at the waist and propped his hands on his knees. “I heard it on the radio,” he panted. “Scared the freaking shit out of me.”
    “He’s swearing,” Sam commented to Malone. “He only does that in extreme circumstances. I’m honored.”
    Freddie tipped his face, met Sam’s eyes. “You almost got blown up. I’m sorry if I don’t find that funny.”
    “I’m fine, Cruz,” she said, touched by his concern. “You can relax.”
    “What are we doing?” he asked Malone, his eyes hot with anger and passion. “What can I do?”
    “Gonzo’s got Destiny in interview,” Sam told him.
    “I was thinking on the way over here,” he said, still breathing heavily. “What if it’s not Johnson?”
    “How do you mean?” Malone asked.
    Freddie stood up straight. “Destiny spews in the paper yesterday, right?”
    Sam and the captain nodded.
    “So say someone wants to hose up the O’Connor investigation? What’s the fastest way?” Before they could answer, he said, “Take out Sergeant Holland and have the full wrath of the department focused on Johnson. Presto. O’Connor is back burner. Senator or not, no one takes precedence over a dead cop.”
    “That’s an interesting theory, Detective,” Malone said, clearly impressed.
    Sam was filled with pride. Young Freddie was coming along very well. Very well, indeed.
    “You think it’s possible?” Freddie asked, full of youthful exuberance.
    “It’s solid, Cruz,” Sam said. “Good thinking.” She paused, thought for a moment and decided. “I want you to go to Chicago and talk to Patricia Donaldson. I want to know if her kid is John O’Connor’s son. I want the whole story. Tell her she can either spill it to you, or we’ll get a warrant for DNA. Don’t come back until you know every detail of her relationship with O’Connor. He went out there the third weekend of every month. I want to know if he was banging her. I want to know how. You got me?”
    “Without you?” His normally robust complexion paled again.
    “A bomb just blew off your training wheels, Detective.” Sam winced at the pain in her chest as she rose. “Get your ass to Chicago.” She grabbed the lapels of his ever-present trench coat and pulled him down so his face was an inch from hers. “You get yourself hurt in any way, and I’ll kill you. You got me?”
    “Ma’am.” He swallowed hard. “Yes, ma’am.”
    She retrieved the paper with her ticket information from her purse. “Be on that eleven o’clock flight and get back here as fast as you can. Report in tonight.”
    “Watch your back, Cruz,” Malone added. “If they’ve got eyes on Sergeant Holland, they’re on you, too.”
    “Yes, sir.” Freddie stood there for a second longer, beaming at the two of them.
    “What the hell are you standing there grinning like a goon for?” Sam asked.
    “I’m going. I won’t let you down. I’ll call you as soon as I’ve got anything.”
    “Go!” After he scrambled through the ER doors, she glanced at Malone. “Sheesh, was I ever that green?”
    “Nope,” he said without hesitation. “You came in with the sensibilities of a captain. Why do you think I’ve been watching my back all these years?”
    Staggered by the compliment, Sam stared at him. “I’m sorry if I’ve let you down.”
    “I’ll bet your friend is wondering where you are. Why don’t you go on back and check on him? I’ll give you