‘Jarvis, I suppose,’ said Tobey with a shrug.

‘Not Eva?’ I asked.

‘No, not her.’

‘What happened to you?’ I asked. ‘Why did you get involved in that world in the first place?’

Tobey sat down on my double bed. ‘When I became Mayor of Meadowview, I learned real fast that acquiring political power costs money, and keeping it costs even more. Dan and his entire operation were just a means to an end. I promised myself that, once I got into a position where I could make a real difference, I’d drop all the … bullshit activities that might’ve got me there in the first place.’

Was he for real? ‘And you seriously thought it would be that simple?’

‘I figured with the right combination of carrot, stick and a power base behind me, yes, I could make it work.’

The same tactics he’d tried on me, I realized. ‘You pull that stunt a lot, don’t you? How’s it working out for you?’

A hint of a bitter smile tugged at the corners of Tobey’s mouth. ‘Like shit actually. I’m reassessing its effectiveness,’ he said dryly.

‘Do you have to be dropped on your head to realize it doesn’t work?’

‘No. Using the same strategy on you is one of the biggest regrets of my life,’ said Tobey softly.

And there it was again, that sad, hungry look, like a child with no money gazing longingly into a sweetshop window. My face began to burn.

Get it together, Callie Rose. You have work to do.

‘I want to thank you for everything you did to bring Troy home safely. I’m grateful—’

‘Don’t thank me,’ Tobey interjected. ‘That’s my daughter and your brother. I would give my life for either of them – and for you.’

‘Tobey, don’t—’

‘Don’t what? Speak the truth?’

‘Tobey, you’re out from under now. If the police keep knocking on your door, you now know who really did kill Dan. I don’t doubt for a second that Mum was right about that. I have it on good authority that the murder charge against you will be dropped, so you don’t need me any more.’

Tobey opened his mouth to say something, only to close it again without uttering a word. We faced each other, a world of regrets rendering us both silent.

‘I guess I should be going then,’ Tobey said, sighing. ‘Thank you for letting Libby stay here for a few days.’

‘That was Nana Meggie’s idea,’ I told him. ‘I just agreed with it, that’s all.’

‘Well, I’m grateful. I hope you don’t mind if I come to see her as often as I can. When I have a room in my apartment and also in my official premises redecorated and reorganized for her to use, I’m hoping she’ll come and live with me.’