No, interrogating Roths guests wasnt working. They were too tight-lipped, too scared. Whatever Roth had going on here, the guests were invested too, and they werent going to rat themselves out.

Callaway scanned the partiers until he spotted Harley speaking with a balding man in a pair of striped swimming trunks. The mans posture folded arms, head tilted imperiously back suggested Harley was having as little success as Callaway was.

After catching Harleys attention, Callaway jerked his head to the side, indicating they should talk in the shaded corner of the courtyard.

Clams, every one, Harley said as she joined him, exasperated.

And what little they do say, Callaway agreed, its like theyre reading from a script. There was nothing scummier, in his opinion, than a club of over-privileged men most of them old and white sticking up for one another at the cost of innocents.

Theyre covering for him, Harley murmured.

Wouldnt you? Its like Versailles out here, and hes the Sun King.

Harleys voice hardened. Then we need to apply the screws. Nobody wants to be connected to those murdered girls, but were not going away until we get some answers.

Callaways eyes roved across the pool, searching for the billionaires Mediterranean friend. Is it just me, or has Ferrero been watching our every move?

I noticed, too, Harley replied. He knows something. Maybe its time we poke the bear, see if we can get him to do something rash so we can use it against him.

Callaway, however, had stopped listening. A young woman in a bikini was walking around the perimeter of the pool with a tray of drinks, a professional smile on her face as she offered them to the guests. Her purple highlights and tattooed arms gave her an exotic look.

Really? Harley said, sounding miffed by his distractedness. Keep it in your pants, Callaway.

Callaway turned to her in surprise. Its not that. I know her. Pulled her brother over for a DUI back in the dayhelped him get into rehab. She might be willing to talk with me.

Lets go talk with her, then.

Callaway hesitated, worried about how aggressive Harley might get questioning the young woman. Better if I talk with her alone. Dont want to spook her.

Harley gave him a long look, as if deciding whether she should take offense at the buried implication. Then she nodded. Okay. Ill see where Ferrero went.

Callaway caught her arm before she could leave. Dont talk with him without me, alright? He looks dangerous. He wanted to say, He looks like a killer, but he didnt want to put Harley on edge. She had enough edges without his help.

A smile played on Harleys lips. Worried about me, Agent Callaway?

Just keep your distance, okay? I wont be long.