Had a bit more free time than expected tonight so here's another update : ) Again, I'm at college so updates may come in waves or sporadically depending upon my work schedule. Thanks so much for reading!

Jackie O'Brian was way in over her head. She had never watched a single game of hockey before in her life and now she was about to set foot in a locker room and talk to a bunch of scared, nervous, and angry hockey players.

Her plane had arrived right on time in Washington D.C. and Jackie made a bee-line for the Kettler Iceplex in Arlington, the Washington Capital's practice rink. She had been thinking about this case for the past several hours on her journey from Chicago to D.C. and it was beginning to eat away at her already. She needed to figure these guys out…these hockey players. She was never one to watch a sports game, much less a hockey game, so this was sure to be a challenge. She just hoped the guys didn't see right through her.

She strutted right into Kettler in her red stiletto heels, black knee-length skirt and red silk top. She had at least done some research in the airport earlier and knew that the team's them was "Rock the Red" and she had made sure to do just that…and looking hot while doing it wasn't such a bad thing either. At least she'd have their attention.

General Manager George McPhee stopped dead in his tracks as Jackie strutted into Kettler. He peered at her over his glasses and lowered the clipboard he was carrying as he watched her glance around, appearing to be lost.

"Can I help you?"

Jackie jumped in surprise as the tall, tough-looking man spoke to her, "Oh, um, yes I'm Jackie O'Brian…the private investigator who was hired for…"

"The suicides," interrupted McPhee quickly, his tone and eyes hardening.

Jackie forced a smile and her eyes narrowed slightly as she noted McPhee's reaction to her introduction, "Well I hope that's what it is…I certainly hope nothing more…sinister…is going on in the National Hockey League."

McPhee gave Jackie a tight smile, "I'm sure you won't find anything more 'sinister' Miss O'Brian. I'm George McPhee, the Capitals General Manager and the man you'll be reporting to while you investigate my team."

Jackie smirked as she shook his hand, "With all due respect Mr. McPhee, I'll be reporting to my contact at the FBI. This is an investigation and I was hired by the government for this one so I answer to them and only them this time around. However in the future if you find yourself in need of my services and choose to hire me yourself then I'd me more than happy to report all my findings to you."

McPhee couldn't help but admire the pretty, young brunette as she sized him up with her dark brown eyes. She was spunky, smart, fast and seemed rather unfazed by his brutish antics. As far as first impressions went, so far so good.

"Fine," said McPhee, keeping up his tough charade, "Then if you'll follow me I'll take you to the locker room. The boys are in there all geared up for practice so if you can make this as fast as possible I think they, myself and Coach Boudreau would all appreciate it."

Jackie just smiled back, refusing to let McPhee know that his tone and attitude were getting on her nerves, "I think I can manage that."

McPhee nodded curtly as he escorted Jackie toward two double doors that led to another room farther inside the Kettler Iceplex. He opened the door and stepped aside to let Jackie in.

Instantly Jackie found herself standing in front of about thirty men, mostly in their twenties, all staring up at her expectantly. Her mouth went dry and she fought to keep her composure as she entered the room.

"Hello," she said hesitantly, "I'm Jackie O'Brian and I'm a private investigator."

The team gazed up at her as she spoke. Some of them looked upset while others looked scared and confused. A couple players looked like they were ready to go kill somebody…those players made her nervous so she chose to avoid eye-contact with them for the moment.

"I understand that this is very hard for all of you to deal with," she said after a long pause, "And…I wanted to say that I am very sorry for your loss. I'm sure some of you at least knew of the men who have passed away and I just want to assure you that if I find out who or what is causing these awful things to happen that I will not stop until that person or thing is no longer a threat. I take my job very seriously especially when it involves human lives."

As Jackie spoke some of the players began to nod in agreement, their eyes flashing with anger at whoever or whatever had caused the deaths. Alexander Ovechkin, the captain of the Washington Capitals, was glancing around at his team, gauging their reactions to Jackie. He had been especially attentive to his teammates as of late and was also determined to make sure the same horrible fate never befell one of his men and especially not on his watch that was for damn sure.

Nicklas Backstrom sat quietly in the back of the room in between the two best friends, Brooks Laich and Mike Green. Brooks and Mike muttered comments and nodded their heads here and there as Jackie spoke, but Nicklas was too busy admiring Jackie to hear everything she was saying. The woman was gorgeous: young, brunette with dark eyes and an olive complexion, not to mention a rocking body. Nicklas Backstrom tended to be a more shy, quiet kind of guy, especially when it came to women, unlike some of his other teammates, and preferred to keep his thoughts about the attractive P.I. to himself. John Carlson on the other hand, clearly did not.

"Damn the P.I.'s a babe," he muttered to Mike Green.

Mike nudged Carlson and grimaced at him, "Dude, shut up," he whispered, "Stop checkin' her out…this is serious."

Carlson shrugged, "I'm just saying…she's hot."

Nicklas Backstrom gave the rookie an annoyed glare and Carlson muttered something under his breath about them all having something up their butts.

"So with that said," continued Jackie, oblivious to the conversation in the back of the locker room, "I want to encourage all of you to feel free and comfortable to come to me about any concerns, issues or questions you may have. If you see something suspicious please report it immediately to me. All that you say to me will be in confidence and your name at no time will be revealed as the one who reported the information. I will leave my cell number and hotel number on the white board over here so please copy them down or put them in your phones. I'm on call twenty-four, seven so don't hesitate to call or text me at anytime."

Carlson nudged Mike again, "I'm so gonna get laid, dude."

"Would you shut up already?" hissed Brooks Laich from the other side of Nicklas Backstrom, his deep blue eyes flashing in annoyance.

"For real," agreed Mike Green under his breath, "She's a freaking professional, not some puck bunny."

Nicklas just rolled his eyes as he watched Jackie wave goodbye to all of them and leave the locker room. Despite the circumstances of her presence here…Nicklas wasn't complaining. In fact, he was actually quite pleased that she had been assigned to the Capitals. He was determined to talk to her…privately…away from the rookies like John Carlson. He hadn't had a real conversation with a woman in a long time…not since his last bad break up two years ago…and it was high time that he put himself back out on the market. And P.I. Jackie O'Brian might be just the kind of woman to help him get back in the game…

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