Loring shook him off like a bad pitch. “I can’t talk to you unless I know who you represent. There’s an enormous amount at stake here. If you work for—well, certain people—then you already know all about it and our legal staff will be filing papers to deal with what looks like a rather naive attempt at espionage. And if your client—Contreras, did you say?—has his own ax to grind, then I’m not going to make you a present of very explosive information.”

“I see.” I studied my fingernails while I thought it over. “I’ll ask you a different question. Two questions. How many people in this room know that Paragon is bankrolling Diamond Head? And how many of you know why?”

This time the rumble became a roar. Loring let it go for a minute, then brought the meeting back under control.

“Any of you boys know anything about Diamond Head? Or bankrolling?” His voice was light with sarcasm.

The room responded to his tone. People forced out guffaws as they gave their negatives, punching each other on the arms and stealing secret glances at me to see how the show was going over.

I waited for them to finish enjoying themselves. “Okay, you’ve convinced me: you’re all too naive to manage a multinational. I do find it curious, though, that you agreed to see me cold just because I mentioned Diamond Head’s name in connection with debt financing. And not just you, Loring—all these guys came along to protect your ass.”

“I agreed to see you cold because I thought you might have a business proposition for us, not an accusation.”

“Really!” It was my turn for light sarcasm. “That must be why the Journal raved about you guys a few weeks ago—because you interrupt your workdays every time some stranger walks through the door without an introduction or advance material or anything. Just in the hope she may have a business proposition.”

The man on Loring’s right started to speak, but the controller waved him into silence. “What is it you want, Warshawski?”

“We could dance this tango all afternoon. I want information. About you and Diamond Head.”

“I think we made it clear that we don’t have anything to tell you.” The man on Loring’s right ignored the controller’s silencing hand.

“Come on, guys. I know you’re bankrolling Diamond Head. I’ve seen their cash statements.”

“Then you’ve seen something I’m not privy to. I can’t comment on it,” Loring said.

“Who could I talk to who might be able to? Your CEO or COO?”

“Neither of them would be able to tell you anything. And unlike me, they wouldn’t even grant you an interview.”

“So should I ask the feds about it?”