Jon Duba didn’t sound the least bit pleased to hear from me, and I couldn’t blame him, but desperate times called for desperate, all-hours measures. Callie’s investigator and I had met on a number of occasions and always greeted each other like old friends. He was one of the few people in Callie’s world that I had any time for. He was an outrageous flirt, highly intelligent, and could always make me smile, but damn, he was grumpy this morning.

‘Jon, I know you’re aware of what’s going on with Troy and Tobey Durbridge’s daughter. Callie told me you’re helping her to bring them home safely.’

‘I don’t have any progress to report yet, Sephy, if that’s why you’re phoning me. You’ve got to give me a chance to do my thing.’

‘I know. I’m not phoning about that.’ I sighed deeply. ‘Jon, I need you to look out for my daughter. She’s relying too much for my liking on Tobey Durbridge. I trust that man about as far as I can pick up and throw a monster truck.’

‘Oh, I see,’ said Jon, somewhat mollified. ‘And what d’you think I can do?’

‘Just keep an eye on her, please. Don’t let her get swept away by Tobey’s smooth-talking façade. That guy is high on his own supply and where he goes trouble follows. I don’t want Callie to be left spinning in his wake. So I need you to be the voice of reason when it comes to that man. Callie trusts your judgement.’

‘Your daughter has it bad where Tobey’s concerned. Has done for years.’

I frowned. ‘How would you know that?’

‘I have my ways,’ said Jon enigmatically. ‘Sephy, I’ll do my best, but I can’t guarantee anything. As long as you know that.’

‘Your best is good enough for me,’ I told him. ‘Just … don’t let her make a fool of herself over Tobey. He can’t be trusted.’

‘I hear that. Sephy, I—’

Pause. Jon had something on his mind. I could hear it in his voice.

‘Jon?’ I prompted.

‘You didn’t hear this from me, OK?’ Jon began. ‘Sephy, I have it on good authority that the CPS are close to dropping all charges against Tobey.’

‘Based on what logic?’ I frowned.

‘Not logic. Power. He’s the PM. The country is in turmoil, with more threats from the Arctic Rim on the horizon and heading our way. Fast. Without him, there’s a power vacuum, so there’s very real talk about dropping the charges so he can get back to business.’

‘What about my son?’ I protested.

‘Only a handful of people know about Troy and Libby’s predicament. Troy’s kidnappers may want Durbridge gone, but the CPS are already lining up the sin-eater who will take the rap for Durbridge instead.’