Fatal Identity by Marie Force

squirm under his intense glare. “You do.”
    He stared at her for a long time before he shook his head in apparent dismay. “You do not make it easy, Lieutenant.”
    She was about to ask him what he meant by that but she didn’t have to.
    â€œYou’re always coloring outside the lines, and it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for me to defend your actions.”
    Ouch. That hurt . “I don’t expect you to defend me or to understand why I do the things I do. You want results. I get you results. Every time.”
    â€œYou’ll never hear me deny that. But the means to the end, Lieutenant, is where we have a problem.”
    To hear him say they had a problem raised all sorts of alarms within her, but now was not the time to worry about alarms. “You have to understand the spot I was in—Josh refused to deal with anyone but me, and if it turns out that he is this missing kid, how could I not try to get those answers for the poor parents who’ve spent thirty years looking for him?”
    â€œI do understand the spot you were in, and I hope you understand the spot you’ve put me in. You’ve got a man accusing the FBI director of kidnapping, and you didn’t think I needed to know that the second it happened?”
    â€œNo one has accused Director Hamilton of anything.”
    â€œSemantics, Lieutenant. The second you involved Dr. McNamara you involved the department, and you know it.”
    â€œSo what do we do now? Hamilton is on the run, and he’s convinced that if his father finds him, he’ll kill him.”
    â€œHe said that? Those exact words?”
    â€œThose exact words.”
    â€œJesus. And you believed him?”
    â€œBoth Detective Cruz and I believe he was genuinely afraid for his life.”
    Farnsworth reached for the landline extension that sat on the coffee table and dialed a number, keeping his steely stare fixed on her. “This is Chief Farnsworth. Put me through to Conklin.” After a pause, he said, “Hey, it’s me. I’m with Holland and we need an APB for Josh Hamilton.” He provided a description based on the photo Sam had shown him. “I want everyone looking for him. Notify Maryland and Virginia State Police. He was last seen on foot in the Crystal City area just over an hour ago. If we find him, take him into protective custody.” After a pause, he said, “Yes, she knows she suspended. I’ll fill you in later. Ask for hourly reports from Patrol.”
    He ended the call and put the phone on the table.
    â€œWhat do we do now?”
    â€œ You are doing nothing. You’re going home to tend to your sick husband and son.”
    â€œJosh Hamilton trusts me, Chief.”
    â€œHe trusts you so much he ran from you, Lieutenant.”
    Sam forced herself to remain calm. “When you find him, you’ll want me there. He knows I’m on his side.”
    â€œYou’re not on anyone’s side! You’re on suspension. This matter no longer involves you—and I hate to point out the obvious, but it never should’ve involved you.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œGo home, Lieutenant. Do yourself—and me—a big favor and stay home until Wednesday morning at zero seven hundred. Do I make myself clear?”
    She bit back the retort that was dying to get out. “Yes.”
    His brow lifted.
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œYou ought to know that I spoke with Forrester yesterday. He’s going to request a meeting with you tomorrow. I’d recommend you have an attorney present. Ramsey’s not letting it go, and frankly, I don’t blame him. I expect better from you than how you handled that situation.”
    â€œI’m sorry to disappoint you, sir.” Not even his disappointment, which mattered greatly to her, could change the fact that Ramsey had gotten exactly what he’d deserved.
    â€œYou want to know the only reason Forrester