“I don’t want to say too much about the other case until I get some information,” Marshall said. “I don’t want to influence your answers.”

I could feel her trembling through the sofa. “Okay. That makes sense. Ask me anything. Clearly, I’ll tell you. No filter. I already told you about Adam and his wife. His ex, and how she’s trying to protect his money. But he’s the one who wants to fire the PI, and wouldn’t any decent person pay for a chance to get their only son back? My only son, I mean. Adam has three kids with her. Two boys. So not his only son. My only son. I’m babbling. I’m sorry. I will answer your questions, but . . .” She craned her neck over her shoulder, looking to me. “Can you bring the gin here?”

“Let me get you a glass of water,” I said.

“Yes, okay. And an Ativan? They’re on the counter.” She was already turning to Marshall, asking again, “But it’s possible that if you find this other boy, you’ll find Geoffrey?”

“First I need to establish that these cases are connected,” Marshall said, so very gentle.