“Awesome.” He said what she expected but the single word lacked his usual enthusiasm for all things Italian.

“Go wash your hands. I’ll be right in.”

Scotty took his backpack from Nick and trudged up the ramp to the house, his head bent.

“Is he okay?” Shelby asked Nick.

“Have you heard about Willie Vasquez?” Nick asked.

“No, what about him?”

“It was just on the radio so I suppose I can tell you that he was murdered overnight.”

“Oh, no. Oh, Lord.”

“Scotty took the news hard. He thought a lot of Willie, especially after he met him at camp last summer.”

“What a tragedy. All because he missed a fly ball.”

“Sam would tell us not to leap to any conclusions until we know more.”

“Is she working the case?”

He nodded. “As soon as she gets some sleep, she’ll be back on it.”

“Could I ask you something else?”

“Sure.”

“Agent Hill asked me to have coffee with him.” Nick didn’t need to know that she’d actually done the asking a while ago. “Would it bother you if I went?”

“Hell, no. Go. Have a great time. By all means.” He started toward the ramp. “I’d better get in there and check on Scotty.”

Confused by Nick’s contradictory statements, Shelby followed him inside. Men, she thought, wondering if she’d ever understand what made them tick.

* * *

The studios of WFBR-FM were located adjacent to the stadium on Potomac Avenue. Home of “Feds Baseball Radio,” the station broadcast all the team’s games and hosted regular interviews with the players and management. WFBR had become a critical part of the team’s presence in the city over the last three seasons.

At the reception desk, Gonzo asked to speak to the general manager and was escorted into the office of James Settle. He introduced himself and flashed his badge.

“What can I do for you, Detective?”

“Willie Vasquez was found murdered this morning.”

Settle stared at Gonzo, as if he hadn’t heard him correctly. “Christ,” he whispered. “How?”

“He was stabbed in the chest.”

“What is it you need from us?”

“We heard the Big Ben show this morning and were interested in speaking with him.”

“I’ll see if he’s still in the building.”

While Settle made a call, Gonzo looked around at the team memorabilia on the shelves and walls.

“He’s on his way up,” Settle said. “He’s not in any trouble, is he?”

“I’d like to talk to him about some of the callers this morning.”

They waited in uneasy silence until Big Ben came into the room. True to his name, Ben Markinson was big and burly with a headful of unruly curly hair and a beard that grew untamed. “You wanted to see me, Jim?” he asked in a voice made for radio.