Sam snapped her fingers. “That’s it.” She reached for her cell phone.

“Saw your Scotty getting fingerprinted by the chief,” Malone said with a smile. “Took some pictures I’ll send to your email.”

“Oh, cool. Thank you.”

“He’s a cute kid. Always polite.”

“I wish I could take some credit for that.”

“He’s probably lucky you got him later rather than sooner.”

“That’s funny. Hilarious.”

Malone didn’t try to hold back his mirth.

“You crack yourself up.” Sam found Hill’s number in her list of contacts and pressed send. When Hill answered, Sam said, “Talk to me about Antonio Sandover.”

“What about him?”

“You guys have your eye on him?”

“Yes, we’re building a case for gambling, racketeering and other potential charges. Why?”

“Collins is tied up with him. He’s into him for a lot of money. He bet on the NLCS outcome.”

“Are you kidding me? He risked a lifetime ban from baseball by betting on his own team?”

“Apparently, and now he’s so afraid of what might happen to him that he’s begging us to keep him in custody.”

“Jesus. How do people get themselves into shit like this, especially when they make the kind of coin he does?”

“He’s probably the type who’s never satisfied no matter how much he has.”

“We’re going to need to put him in protective custody. And he might be useful to us. Let me make a couple of calls. I’ll get right back to you.”

“Thanks.”

“The Feds want him,” Sam said to Malone.

“So it’s possible that Willie’s murder might’ve saved Collins’s life?”

“Quite possibly.”

“We live in a strange and twisted world, Lieutenant.”

“You’re just figuring that out, Captain?”

They shared a smile before Sam went back into the interrogation room. “Here’s the deal—the Feds are building a case against Sandover. You might be able to help them in exchange for protective custody.”

“Help them? What does that mean?”

“Help them to build a case against Sandover.”

“You’re out of your freaking minds! Are you trying to get me killed?”

“Actually, I’m trying to keep you alive. You have two choices—assist the Feds in exchange for protective custody or walk out of here and fend for yourself with our best wishes.”

“That’s it? Those are my choices?”

“That’s all I’ve got.”

“Pretty sucky options.”

“A smart guy like you probably should’ve considered these potential outcomes before you went into business with a known criminal.”

“None of this would be happening if Willie had caught that goddamned ball!”

“Well, he didn’t, so what’s it going to be? Work with us or fend for yourself?”

Collins sagged into his chair. “Either way, I’m probably dead, so what does it matter?”

“Everything that can be done to ensure your safety will be seen to by the FBI.”