“Shouldn’t the team’s security director know the name of someone who has been legally barred from having contact with one of the players?” Gonzo asked.

“I got the sense from Bixby that there’s a lot of drama among the players with women,” Avery said. “He made a comment about how tracking the players’ romantic exploits would take an army. Perhaps there are dozens of restraining orders in place, which is why he couldn’t recall the brother-in-law’s name.”

“I could look into the other ROs related to the team,” Malone said.

“That would help, thanks,” Sam said as another thought occurred to her. She went to the phone on the wall and dialed an internal extension. “Hey, Archie, thanks for the help with finding Vasquez’s phone. You didn’t happen to do a dump on it, did you?”

“I sure did. I was just going to bring it down to you.”

“Excellent,” Sam said. “Thanks. While I have you, I could use some people reviewing security film today. We’re looking for any sign of Willie’s Lincoln MKZ or the man himself. We’re still in need of a murder scene, and we’re tracing his steps over a wide swath of the city. Can you spare anyone?”

“Send up the film, and I’ll put all my available people on it.”

“You’re the best. Thanks again.” She hung up and returned to her place at the head of the conference table. “I love working with people who think one step ahead. Archie dumped Willie’s phone and is bringing us the data.” To Detective Arnold, she said, “I want you on that today, and get all the remaining video footage that Dominguez and Carlucci didn’t get to up to IT. They’ll be taking over.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Gonzo, I want you to get with patrol and find me a crime scene. Willie was killed somewhere between L’Enfant Plaza and Georgetown. See what you can do to move that along.”

“Will do.”

“I wanted to mention a couple of other things Bixby’s people brought to my attention,” Hill said. “I already told the Lieutenant that Rick Lind bears looking into. He was furious with Vasquez, busting furniture in the locker room, slamming doors. He said if he had a gun he’d shoot Vasquez himself. Bixby also mentioned that Cecil Mulroney was particularly vocal about his displeasure with Vasquez. The other thing the security guys told me is that everyone suspected a more-than-professional relationship between Vasquez and Clark, the trainer, but no one did anything about it.”

“I’d think that would be a boatload of bad PR for Willie and the team if it came out that he was fooling around with his trainer,” Farnsworth said.

“My thoughts exactly,” Hill replied. “Willie had a reputation as a hardworking family man, and an affair would kill his image, not to mention his endorsement deals.”