When they were alone, Bixby said, “Are you going to look at Lind for this?”

“We’re certainly going to have a conversation with him.”

“Will you tell him we pointed you in his direction?”

“I don’t see the need to mention that. I’m sure there were plenty of witnesses to the meltdown. Anyone could’ve told us.”

“Good,” he said, seeming genuinely relieved. “That’s really good.”

“Are you afraid of Mr. Lind for some reason?”

“Not physically, if that’s what you mean. He wields a lot of power around here. Has the ear of the front office. If he wanted to, he could cause trouble for me and my staff.”

“I understand. I’ll do everything I can to keep your names out of the conversation.”

“I’d appreciate that, and so would they.”

Avery shook hands with Bixby. “Do you have a card in case I need to get in touch?”

Bixby produced a business card from his wallet. “Will you keep me posted?”

“To the best of my ability.”

“Thank you.”

“Hill.”

“Yeah?”

“Lind... He’s a bit of a hot head. Something’s a little off with him, if you ask me.”

“Good to know. Thanks again for your help.” Avery left the locker room and followed the exit signs through the twisting maze of tunnels that eventually led to a parking lot. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the lot where he’d left his car. As he walked around the outer shell of the stadium, he thought about what a difference twenty-four hours made. The silence was in stark contrast to the roar of the crowd and the rage of the fans that followed Vasquez’s unfortunate error.

Avery hadn’t been at the game, but he’d watched it on TV from his hotel room. One of these days, he needed to get busy finding a permanent home in the District. After this case, he told himself. Then he’d take care of getting settled.

In the meantime, he placed a call to the MPD, asking for the detectives’ pit when he reached dispatch.

“Detective Dominguez.”

“This is Agent Hill. I was wondering if I could pass along some information to aid in the Vasquez investigation.”

“Of course. What’ve you got?”

“We need background checks, including financials, on Garrett Collins, the team’s general manager and Rick Lind, closing pitcher.”

“Anyone else?”

Avery thought about it for a second. “Let’s do Jamie Clark, team trainer, and Bob Minor, the manager too.”

“You got it.”

“Anything back on Vasquez’s financials?”

“Not yet. We’re hearing there’s been a hang up with the banks in the Dominican Republic. We’re working on it.”

“Anything on the video surveillance?”

“Not yet.”

“How about his car? Any sign of it?”

“Still looking for that and the blood.”

“I’ll let you get back to work. Thanks for the update.”