Somehow I had to get Callie to forgive me. One night with her wasn’t enough. I wanted her face to be the last thing I saw before I closed my eyes each night and the first thing I saw each morning when I woke up. I’d thought I was over her. She was a memory that walked like a shadow behind me. Occasionally, that memory would walk in step for a moment, for a minute, but no longer. Jon – damn him – was right. When the kids were safe, I’d apply all my energy to having her back in my life. Permanently.

I turned to head back to my apartment. Activating my earbuds, I issued a command to the smartphone in my pocket to phone Jon Duba on the burner I’d given him.

He picked up within two rings.

‘You told me not to text you so I’m phoning for a progress report,’ I said, getting straight down to it.

‘For Shaka’s sake! When I know something, you’ll know something. Besides which, I’m only lending you my services. Don’t forget Callie is my boss. I still don’t like you.’

‘Godsake, man, will you back the hell up?’ I asked, exasperated. ‘We all want the same thing here. I’m not your enemy. And you came to me, not the other way round – remember?’

‘Was there anything else? I’m busy,’ snapped Jon.

‘D’you know where Eva Foxton is? I want to pay her a visit,’ I said, reining in with difficulty my irritation at his tone. ‘I’ve already spoken to George, Dan’s old butler, but he doesn’t have a clue.’

‘Why would George know Eva’s whereabouts? What’s it got to do with him?’

‘Eva has sacked him and given him until this Friday lunchtime to clear out. She intends to move into Dan’s penthouse apartment at the weekend. As all the moving arrangements are being sorted between the two of them, I thought George might have a clue. Good butlers know everything, and George is a very good butler. One of the best.’

‘But he didn’t have an answer for you.’

‘Being one of the best doesn’t make him all-knowing,’ I conceded. ‘So do you know or not? You’re not the only one who’s busy.’

‘You’re convinced Eva had something to do with Libby and Troy’s disappearance?’

‘I’d put money on it. No one else has the clout, resources or, quite frankly, the titanium balls. Dowd wouldn’t care one way or the other if I’d killed Dan. In fact, he’d be grateful that I removed his rival. Which leaves Eva.’

‘And the motive would be – apart from sticking it to you, which I can understand and fully appreciate?’ said Jon.

Hellsake! This man just wasn’t going to let up.