“It’s not the first time I’ve been eager to talk to you,” he says, his voice cheerful.

“You’re in a good mood. You and the boyfriend make-up?”

“He does not dictate my moods,” he snaps.

“Ouch. You’re moving on.”

“Yes. I love my job which I’m doing right now. Director Murphy is battling to get the game system to release the information we need. We may need a warrant, which he will attend to tomorrow. For now, I just hacked the system and downloaded the phone numbers used to log-in. And I know, I know, that won’t be admissible in court, but it will get you what you need to find the killer. I’m now creating a program to feed them into a database and connect them to names. It’s going to take time, but it’s happening.”

“How does the game work exactly?” I ask. “I haven’t had any real time to look at it.”

“There are a lot of different ways users can play. For example, they can create fake portfolios and compete against individuals for who pays out the most.”

“Is Kane’s company used for any of the games?”

“He’s not publicly traded, so that is doubtful. Once we get full access to the system, I’ll be able to navigate those things, or have the company navigate them for us.”

“Who owns the game?” I ask, hoping Tic Tac has found what Lucas did not.

“That’s interesting, actually. The company started five years ago, but supposedly—I can’t confirm—changed ownership a year and a half back and that’s when it took off like gangbusters.”

“I don’t know what a gangbuster is. Is it anything like a gang—”

“Do not make the joke you’re about to make. I’m moving on.”

‘I understand the servers bounce all over and register in different countries.”

“I guess whoever you asked for help who wasn’t me failed you there. Yes, that is true, but a little work and I nailed down the location. The servers are based in Russia, and it’s thought that it’s owned by a large conglomerate. It’s a cover for something else and yes, I’m working on finding out what. Another interesting tidbit. The surge of players using unregistered phone lines really began about a year ago. There’s a lot to be done fast.”

A large conglomerate, I think. Maybe it’s something Pocher is involved in? Director Murphy is high on the idea that he’s involved, but I’m not sold on that yet.

“Here’s what I have for you now,” Tic Tac says. “Both dead husbands, Naomi’s and Emma’s, were registered, but none of them have played, at least on their registered phone numbers, for over a year. Emma’s husband played the week he died.”

Jay pulls us into the airport.