‘If Troy and Libby aren’t where you say, I’ll be back to take out my disappointment on your family. Understand?’

Shane nodded. ‘Th-they … are there …’

I believed him, which meant coming to Shane’s home had been a complete waste of my time. Pissed off, I levelled my gun at his head.

‘Don’t hurt … my family …’ he whispered.

‘Lucky for you, that’s not on this week’s to-do list either.’

I pulled the trigger.

thirty-three. Tobey

Today 12:32

Jarvis, WTAF? Why have you not got back to me? Have you found out anything about L or T yet?

I’ve only just had it confirmed that Eva ditched the original clueless morons who snatched those two and has taken over the operation herself. Her plan is to get rid of you once and for all. What d’you want me to do about it?

Find out the location and get them to safety. BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

I hear you. BTW, I hear Sephy knows who really killed Dan. Is that true? Is it connected to this?

I’ll get back to you on that. Now go do what I pay you for.

thirty-four. Sephy

I was sitting in my parked car, ignoring the rain slapping at the roof and off the windows as I observed the guy on my screen who had only just accepted my invitation to a video call.

Patrix Ellerman, Cross lawyer and all-round lowlife, was far too busy to see me in person and could only spare a couple of minutes on a call. What a shit-fish!

I’d not laid eyes on him since the night of Dan’s dinner party and now I took him in as he sat in his high-backed brown leather chair, leaning forward with his hands clasped and his index fingers steepled in what was obviously a power pose he’d no doubt practised in front of more than one mirror. He wore a charcoal-grey jacket with a pale pink, collarless, buttoned-up shirt. His hair was short at the sides with mini locs on top. The whole ensemble had been picked for maximum effect, as was his affectation of tapping his steepled fingers against his bottom lip. Patrix was a guy who appreciated the finer things in life and didn’t mind who knew it. He also liked his props – to be treated with what he felt was the proper respect. My daughter, Callie, had introduced me to a number of lawyers, Crosses and a few Noughts, who – like her – deeply cared about not just the law but justice. Patrix wasn’t one of those.

‘Mr Ellerman, thanks for agreeing to talk to me.’

‘Like I said, Mrs Ealing, I’m a very busy man,’ said Patrix.