“No, I don’t. You’re always adding new ones to the list.” Had she ever enjoyed a conversation more? Not that she could recall. “Listen, buddy, I’ve got to get back to work. Behave for Shelby tonight and for Mrs. Littlefield tomorrow. We’ll see you Sunday, and we’ll call you while you’re gone.”

“I’ll behave. Don’t worry.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Sam ended the call and held the phone to her chest for a long time afterward. She had no doubt at all that she, who had spent her entire adult life avenging murder victims, could easily kill anyone who dared to harm that boy. She’d loved fiercely in her life, but not much could compare to the fierce love that came with motherhood.

Hill came to the door. “Two ten-thousand-dollar checks were written from Ray and Elle’s joint account the day after the game, one to each of her two bodyguards, signed by her. It’s the only account of hers that has any money left in it.”

Sam absorbed the new information, reached for her desk phone and asked dispatch to connect her to the cell phone of Lieutenant Rango, the officer in charge of the Crime Scene Unit.

“Rango.”

“It’s Holland. How’s it going at the motel?”

“Slow. This place is a DNA wonderland, a blue-light special of the highest order.”

“Ugh, disgusting.”

“Truly.”

“I believe I have a suspect. She’s a blonde with very long hair who got busy with Lind in the room. One thing I know about women with long hair is that they shed. I’ve got a pretty good case against her, but a long blond hair of hers from that room would help.”

“I’ll see what we can do. You might find her DNA in the sheets too. They were well used.”

Sam grimaced. “We’ll take what we can get. Keep me in the loop, and great job to your team on finding the knife.”

“Any news from the lab on that?”

“Not yet, but we’ve got a rush on it. Have you heard anything about the processing of Willie’s car?”

“We got a couple of partial prints off the steering wheel that one of our technicians is working on now.”

“I could really use that info.”

“Will see what I can do to move it along.”

“Thanks. I’ll be in touch.”

To Hill, Sam said, “Were you able to figure out where your friend Elle is tonight?”

“She’s attending a fundraiser at the Willard with Ray.”

“Would you care to accompany me to the Willard or would you prefer to not have anything to do with arresting your friend’s wife?”

“I’ll go,” he said tightly.

“Let me check on Cruz and the girls, and then we’ll go.”

As she stood up, Malone came to the door. “A moment, Lieutenant?”

“Ah, sure. Hill, I’ll be right with you.”