‘I don’t understand you, Tobey. I’m trying, but failing epically. You bedded me to ensure I stayed on as your lawyer and, when that didn’t work, you blackmailed me into it. You even threatened to take our so-called relationship to the press and Bar Council to get me disbarred if I didn’t do what you wanted. Which part of that spells out marry me?’

Tobey regarded me, then nodded, strangely calm. ‘Like I said, this is neither the time nor the place.’ He got to his feet. ‘While we wait for Jon to get back to us, let’s pay Eva’s friend the weasel a visit. If we get nothing from him, I’ll take you home, then I’ll go see Eva by myself.’

If Tobey thought he was going to see Eva alone, he had another think coming, but now was not the time to argue about it. I too stood up, not keen on Tobey looming over me. The abrupt subject change had thrown me momentarily. I hadn’t liked the look on his face, a look that said he thought I would eventually come round to his way of thinking. For now, though, all right – we’d play this his way. ‘Why are we visiting Shane Stoats?’

Tobey’s eyebrows shot up. ‘You know about him?’

Oh please! ‘Tobey, I’m a lawyer and a bloody good one. You think I don’t know about organized crime in the capital and the players involved? Don’t insult me.’

‘My bad.’ Tobey held out a placating hand. ‘I heard a rumour that Shane has taken over from Jarvis Burton as Eva’s lieutenant. And Eva has taken over all of Dan’s … enterprises so, if anyone knows where Troy and Libby are, it’ll be Shane or Eva.’

‘What makes you so certain?’

‘The ransom demand.’

Fair enough. If the ransom demand had been solely about money, it would’ve been much harder to pin down its source.

‘And you have Shane’s address?’ I asked.

Tobey shrugged. ‘Perks of the job. I’ll just go get a jacket.’

With that, he entered his bedroom, leaving me frowning and suspicious. My thoughts whirling, I followed him as far as the open bedroom door. Tobey stood at the window, his back towards me, his shoulders slumped, his head bowed. His whole attitude was one of defeat. When he thrust his fingers through his hair, I darted backwards out of sight.