Callie, don’t say anything to Durbridge about this text. Don’t even let him know we’ve been in contact. Don’t trust him or anything he tells you. He’s been lying to you. I’ll explain when I see you.

I gasped. I couldn’t help it.

‘Is something wrong?’ asked Tobey.

I shook my head, unable to look at him. Without warning, Tobey snatched the phone out of my hand.

‘Hey!’ I protested. I tried to grab it back, but he used one arm to ward me off as he read the message. Without a word, he handed the phone back. We glared each other.

‘How dare you? That was out of order,’ I fumed.

‘No more secrets between us, Callie. Not today of all days.’

‘Then answer this, Tobey. If something were to happen to Eva, who would take over from her?’ I asked, still annoyed.

‘Who knows? Jarvis, I suppose, if no one else steps up. That’s if Owen Dowd doesn’t try to assume ownership of the whole outfit first.’ Tobey’s expression, like his tone, was relentlessly neutral.

‘And those who used to work for Dan and Eva would go for that? They’d accept Jarvis as their leader?’

‘I imagine they’re used to constant changes at the top. It’s not exactly a role that provides job security,’ Tobey quipped.

‘You said Jarvis wasn’t captain material,’ I reminded him.

‘Because he doesn’t want to lead, not because he can’t,’ said Tobey. ‘Big difference. Jarvis is a known quantity so most of Dan’s old crew trust him.’

‘Including you?’

Tobey’s eyes narrowed. ‘Callie, why don’t you ask me what you’re burning to know?’

Deep breath. ‘Tobey, is Jon right about you?’

‘I don’t know what he was referring to in his text, but I promise that if you ask me a straightforward question you’ll get a straightforward answer. I need you to believe that, Callie.’

‘Then tell me the truth,’ I said. ‘Does Jarvis work for you?’

Pause. And then: ‘Jarvis has been my eyes and ears within the Outfit for years. Dan was bankrolling my political career. I thought it might be wise to know exactly where the money was coming from, that way I could make it clear to Dan what I would and wouldn’t tolerate – like drug and people trafficking.’ Tobey had answered more than one of my questions.

‘As mayor or as a politician, were you working for Dan? Were you on his payroll?’

‘No. I have never worked for or reported back to Dan. That’s the truth.’ Tobey’s gaze didn’t fall away from mine, his face didn’t go red, his breathing rate didn’t increase – none of the usual indicators of someone telling lies were present. The truth or just masterful manipulation? I got out of the car. Tobey did the same.

‘Callie, do you believe me?’ he said.