“Please stay with Miss Benjamin while she records her statement on the Vasquez case. Make sure she accurately depicts what Jamie Clark told her about her affair with Mr. Vasquez and how she wanted to kill him for putting her through such an ordeal after he ended things with her a few days before the game.”

Freddie’s eyes widened with surprise. “Will do.

“Gonzo, let’s go pick up Ms. Clark for additional questioning.”

“You won’t tell her what I said, will you?” Liza asked, dismay radiating from her.

“Of course we will,” Sam said.

Liza blanched. “Oh my God.”

“Keep writing.”

Freddie sat at the table with her.

Sam strolled out of the conference room and into her office to get her keys and radio. She and Gonzo walked out to the parking lot together. “I wanted you to come with me so you can tell me what’s going on with the custody case,” Sam said as she pulled into traffic.

“Andy is trying to set up a meeting with Lori and her lawyer.” Andy Simone was Nick’s good friend. Sam had asked him to help Gonzo with the case. “We’re hoping we can work something out short of going to court.”

“I hope so too.”

“I suppose I’m going to have to share custody with her as much as I wish I didn’t have to.”

“She is his mother, Gonzo, and it seems like she’s trying.”

“I know.”

“Have you told Christina about it yet?”

“I’m going to tonight. I wish it could wait until after the election, but Andy doesn’t want to put off the meeting that long. He feels Lori and her lawyer might view it as stonewalling on our part.”

“You should listen to him. He’s a smart guy and knows what he’s doing.”

“The whole thing sucks.”

“I know it’s really hard, but you should try not to worry. You and Christina have taken such good care of Alex this year. That’ll count for a lot.”

“Thanks, Sam. I appreciate the support.”

They arrived at Jamie Clark’s apartment and took the stairs to the third floor.

“Not what I pictured for the head trainer of an MLB team,” Gonzo said.

Sam pounded on the door. “I thought the same thing the first time I was here.” When she didn’t hear any signs of life from inside, she pounded again. “MPD, Ms. Clark. Open up.”

Locks disengaged with loud clicks.

Suddenly uneasy, Sam rested her hand on her weapon.

The door cracked open and Jamie Clark eyed them suspiciously. “What do you want? I told you everything I know.”

“Is that so?” Sam asked, using her foot to push the door open wider. “We’ve just heard a whole other version of your story from a friend of yours.”

“Who?”