“Of course not. But I don’t think my mother needs to be paying for cunnilingus, either.”

“I didn’t pay—”

“Please.” I rolled my eyes. “Let’s not go there again.”

She harrumphed.

“Now, I want the truth. Tell me about Irene Lucent.”

“Reid, I honestly don’t know anything about her.”

“How about if I make it worth your while. A couple hundred mill in the bank, and you can go live happily on some Greek isle with as many whore masseurs as you want.”

She bit her lower lip. She wanted to take the offer. Would she make up a story to do it? Or would she stick to her guns, in which case she probably didn’t know anything about the first marriage.

“All right, all right,” she said, finally. “I want it in writing.”

“The money? My word is good, Mom.”

“Fine.” She huffed. “Irene Lucent was your father’s first wife.”

“Nice try.” I couldn’t help a bristling laugh. “You really didn’t know.”

“I—”

“Save it. The Connie Wolfe I know would never have married a budding billionaire knowing another woman was out there who could get a hand on his fortune. I gave you an offer you couldn’t refuse, and you took the bait. Now I know the truth. You actually weren’t lying when you told me you didn’t know anything about Dad’s first marriage.”

She shook her head. “You are definitely your father’s son, Reid.”

“Don’t insult me, Mom.”

“That’s not an insult. He always saw right through me, and so do you. I give up.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Okay, I don’t. But please. I did give birth to all of you. I don’t deserve to live like a peasant.”

“You won’t. But we need your help, Mom. If you ever cared even the tiniest bit about your children, please find it in your heart to help us.”

“I’ve always loved all of you. I did the best I could.”

I regarded my mother. For the first time, a look of pure defeat swept over her face. Did she love us? Maybe she did, in her own warped way. Maybe she had been molested as a child. I didn’t know, and she’d given up any chance of sympathy from me long ago.

“Then help us, Mom,” I said. “Help us find out who killed Dad.”

“All right, Reid. I’ll help you.”

I nodded and grabbed my phone out of my pocket. I’d missed several calls and texts because my phone was on silent. I didn’t silence it. I must have done it by mistake. Calls from the office and from Rock. Texts from Moira, Rock, and Zee.

The latest from Rock.

I’m taking Zee to your place. She’s fine. I have news. Call me.

“I have to go,” I told Mom. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”