“I can do that if you’d like.”

“That’d help. Work it until sixteen thirty and call it a day. Meet up at HQ at zero seven hundred.”

“Will do. I’ll let you know what I find out. Um, Lieutenant, could I speak to you about something unrelated to the case?”

“Sure.”

“Off the speaker, if you don’t mind. No offense, Cruz.”

“None taken.” Freddie fiddled with his phone and handed it to her.

“What’s up?”

“I wanted to let you know that I might need some time off in the next couple of weeks. The situation with Alex’s mother looks to be heading to court.” He filled her in on the latest developments.

“I’m sorry, Gonzo. That sucks.”

“Yeah. I haven’t said too much to Christina about it yet because of the campaign and how busy she’s been, so I’d appreciate it if you kept it quiet for now.”

She got that he was asking her not to tell Nick, in particular. “I understand. Let me know if I can do anything to help.”

“I might need some character witnesses, beginning with a decorated police lieutenant and her senator husband.”

“Whatever we can do. You only have to ask.”

“Thanks. It’s okay to tell Cruz what’s going on. I can use all the support I can get, but I wanted to let you know about the time off.”

“I’ll tell him, and don’t worry about the time. We’ll cover for you.”

“Thanks, Sam. I’ll get back to you after I hit the radio station.”

“Talk to you then.”

She handed the phone to Freddie.

“Everything okay?”

“He said I could tell you that he’s heading into what could be an ugly custody battle with Alex’s mother.”

“Oh, crap. Can she do that? Show up months later and stake a claim?”

“She’s his mother, and from what Gonzo said she’s apparently gone to great lengths to clean up her act.”

“He must be freaking out.”

“Just a little, and he’s not saying much about it to Christina until after the election.”

“I won’t say anything to anyone. Don’t worry.”

“You could say something to him. He’s going to need his friends.”

“I will.” He drove the car into the parking lot and flashed his badge at the security guard. “Detective Cruz and Lieutenant Holland to see Mrs. Vasquez.”

“What’s this in reference to?”

“It’s personal.”

The guard studied both their badges before returning them to Freddie. “You’re that cop who’s married to the senator.”

“Really? I didn’t know that. Let us in. Now.”

“No need to be cranky about it. You’ll be met in the lobby by a member of security and escorted to the Vasquez residence.”

“Excellent.”

Freddie put up the window and waited for the security arm to rise before he drove on.

“I wasn’t being cranky.”