“I also have other news. Like I promised last weekend, after the missing hour on the tape gave us grounds to dig deeper into the security personnel, our people have been taking a closer look at their backgrounds. All of them are squeaky clean—except Will Fischer. Turns out he’s been dealing with financial issues over the past eighteen months.”

“What sort of issues?”

“He took out a second mortgage on his house, racked up significant credit card debt, refinanced his car, and applied without success for a few personal bank loans.”

“His wife left him too. Not a stellar year.”

“No. The financial dilemma could have been a contributing factor in their separation. But here’s where it gets interesting. Four months ago, he paid off all his debts.”

Zeke’s eyebrows shot up. “Any indication how he came into the money?”

“No—but I can offer an educated guess. In return for a bailout, he’s doing someone a few favors. Like facilitating the use of Ivy Hill property and editing security tapes.”

“We’re tracking the same direction—but if it’s a blackmail situation, I doubt he knows the identity of the main man. However . . . I have a new lead that may give us that answer.”

She listened while he briefed her on Eduardo’s visit to his office this morning.

“Who’s the car registered to?”

“A Jackson Jones, age thirty-five. Ex-military, six-year tenure with a container manufacturer downtown, solid credit rating.”

“He sounds legit.”

“Aside from his drug-related run-ins with the law post military and pre current job.”

“Selling or using?”

“Using.” Zeke turned a page in her textbook. “But he’s cleaned up his act since—on the surface, anyway.”

“Nevertheless, he has contacts in the drug scene and a solid cover with his day job.”

“Bingo.”

“I take it your people are watching him.”

“Yes. We moved the team that was on Eduardo to him today. If he’s the number two guy, as we suspect, he could lead us to the top gun.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

“Best case, we wait until we catch him in an illegal act—like handing over drugs to a dealer—and pull him in. See how loyal he is if his neck is on the line. The threat of prison can be a powerful bargaining chip.” He flipped another page, keeping up the pretense of tutoring. “Are your sisters spending the weekend with you again?”

“No. This was too unexpected to coordinate a get-together. Eve and Brent are starting a DIY project at her house, and Grace is backlogged. She claims she’s going to work straight through. Personally, I think she’s keeping her distance so Eve doesn’t rope her into helping paint or strip wallpaper or whatever’s on the rehab list. She hates that kind of stuff.”

“So you’ll be alone all weekend.”

“Yes. The only item on my schedule is getting my staples out.”