“I know,” she said, comforted by his assurances and the comfort of his hand covering hers. “Thanks for letting me tell you about it.”

“Anytime.”

They pulled up to E Street, across from the OPM building. Several squad cars were parked at the curb, and Sam was glad to see the Medical Examiner’s van too. “Let’s hope this is our crime scene,” she said as she and Freddie ducked under the yellow tape one of the patrolmen held up for them.

Lindsey was on her knees collecting a sample from a huge puddle of blood that had darkened from exposure to the elements.

“What’s the good word, Doc?”

Lindsey stood and took a series of photographs. “The consistency is what I’d expect after more than twenty-four hours, and the quantity is in keeping with a blow to the aorta. The proof will be in the DNA. I’ll get it back to the lab and put a rush on it.”

“We’d appreciate that.”

As Lindsey walked away, Lieutenant Haggerty, who oversaw the Crime Scene Unit, approached Sam. “What’ve we got, Sam?” He eyed the blood puddle. A former Marine, he was built like a brick shithouse and wore his brown hair buzzed.

“We’re hoping it’s our Willie Vasquez crime scene. Can you have your people do a thorough search of the surrounding blocks? I’m almost to the point where I’d pay for a murder weapon.”

“We’ll see what we can find. What’s this about Lind being in the wind?”

“We’re not sure yet.”

“Is he a suspect on Vasquez?”

“We don’t know that either. I’ll let you get to it. Keep me posted on what you find.” As she walked away from him, her phone rang. “What now, Darren?”

“I heard on the scanner that you’re looking for Lind.”

“What about it?”

“Is he a suspect in Vasquez?”

Sam’s head began to tingle and throb, a sign that she needed to get to her migraine medicine as soon as possible. “No comment.”

“We’re going to run the fact that you’re looking for him. That’s public info.”

“Do what you gotta do.”

“I still can’t mention the Dumpster?”

“Not if you want the exclusive I promised you.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Lieutenant.”

“Gotta go, Darren.” She stashed her phone in her pocket and checked the time. After five. She figured she had another couple of hours before Nick and Scotty would be home from the fundraiser.

“Where to?” Freddie asked when they were back in the car.

“HQ.” They rode for a few minutes in silence while Sam mulled over her next steps in the case—among other things. “When we get back to the house, will you see if you can get me a phone number for a Cleary family in the Capitol Hill area. They have a kid named Nathan.”

“Sure. What’s that about?”