The temptation to go for the high melodrama was almost overwhelming till I looked at Jett. It didn’t take much perception to see that the guy was near the end of his rope. So I didn’t point dramatically and say, “Inspector, there is your murderer.”

Instead, I took a swig of my drink and said casually, “Neil, why did you lie to me about what Kevin said to you?”

He smiled disarmingly and spread his hands out in a gesture of innocence. “But I didn’t, Kate. You’re surely not going to take Micky’s word against mine? A cokehead who relies on Kevin for the pennies in his bank account? He’s got every reason to lie to protect Kevin. But me? Why should I lie to you?”

“There’s only one reason why, Neil. You killed Moira.” A strange stillness seemed to have descended on the room. I’d certainly captured their attention now.

If I’d expected Neil to cave in, I was swiftly disappointed. He grinned and said, “I hope Mortensen and Brannigan have made a good profit this year. When I sue you for slander, I want it to be worth my while.”

I returned his grin. “I know I only managed to complete two years of law school, but it’s always been my understanding that truth is an absolute defense in slander actions.”

“But you have to prove truth,” Neil parried swiftly. “And I fail to see how you’re going to provide proof of something I didn’t do.” His smile had a triumphant edge that almost made me doubt what I knew to be true.

“But there is proof, Neil. Right under this roof is all the proof I need.”

He shook his head at me incredulously. “She’s out to lunch

Just then, Jackson moved forward into the room. “I’d be interested in seeing your idea of proof, even if no one else is,” he said. I had an idea how much it cost him to utter those words, and I had to grant him a reluctant respect.

“If you’ll follow me, Inspector, we need to make a little visit to Mr. Webster’s office,” I said formally.

“Wait a minute,” Neil said, showing traces of apprehension for the first time. “What the hell do you think you’re going to find there?”

“My proof,” I said, stalking out of the room. I didn’t need to look back to know that I could easily have passed for the Pied Piper.

Neil overtook me on the threshold and snapped loudly enough for Jackson and everyone else to hear, “Just what the hell do you think you’re playing at? All this because your precious boyfriend wasn’t good enough to write Jett’s biography?”