He said, Okay. What's up?

I believe Leverage Associates might be acting to suppress or subvert a murder investigation. Would they do that?

He shrugged with no more reaction than had I asked if they validate.

Would they? In my experience, people will do damn near anything. If you're asking whether they've done that kind of thing in the past, my answer would be no. I've never heard them to be associated with anything that extreme. They've had clients get into trouble, sure, but never like that.

He stopped, waiting for the next question.

Are you familiar with their client list?

Sure. They have five or six on the council, couple of commissioners, on up the line. Right now, I'd call it fourteen clients holding office and another thirty or so contenders.

Could you get information about those individuals if I wanted it?

Yes. You want their entire list?

Yes, sir.

Done. What else?

The door suddenly opened. Maldenado took half a step in and froze in the opening. Dowling and I glanced at him, but he backed out of the room, closing the door.

Dowling said, Forget him. What else?

Do you know the name Debra Repko?

No.

She worked at Leverage as a first-year associate. That's a training position where

I know what it is.

She worked with several clients while she was there. Maybe a lot of them. Could you get their names?

That one I can't promise you. I can get some names, no doubt, but I'll have to see. Was she screwing somebody?

She was murdered almost two months ago. When her case was being investigated, Leverage didn't want their client list made public or the clients questioned. They had a deputy chief named Marx crowd out the detectives.

Dowling seemed interested for the first time.

Thomas Marx?

You know him?

Never met, but he wants into politics. A lot of these guys do. He's had a few conversations.

It's beyond the conversation stage. He's signed up at Leverage.

Dowling seemed surprised.

Marx is with Leverage?

They think they can position him for a shot at the council.

Dowling stared with the same surprised expression, then suddenly barked a single sharp laugh.

Of course. Wilts is with Leverage.

Casey Stokes had mentioned that Wilts thought Marx had what it took to get elected. I thought Dowling was saying the same, so I nodded along.

That's right. Someone told me Wilts was a big supporter.

Dowling made the bark again.

Bet your ass he is. Marx was Wilts's fixer. How do you think Marx got to the top of the glass house?

The glass house was Parker Center.

Marx took care of Wilts for years, and Wilts took care of Marx. Guess he still is. Wilts must have brought him in.