‘Does the name Frank Macy mean anything to you?’ Cab asked. ‘He was an old client of Ramona’s who went to prison on manslaughter charges a few years ago.’

‘Did Peach tell you about him?’ Caprice asked.

‘Not directly, but she had some information about him with her.’

‘Yes, Peach showed up at Diane’s last night, talking about Macy. Diane didn’t take it well. Drew hung out with Frank Macy in college. He was a drug dealer, one of those street-smart scholarship students who know how to capitalize on rich friends by using their urban contacts. Smart but tough. On some level, I think Diane always blamed Macy for Drew’s death. Peach thought that Justin was interested in Macy, too.’

Cab’s expression hardened. ‘Justin was looking at Frank Macy? Macy was Drew’s drug dealer? And you still didn’t call me about any of this?’

Caprice reacted with obvious annoyance. ‘You don’t get it, do you, Cab? We are running a statewide political campaign. Drug killings do not help us. Someone like Frank Macy is poison. If his name is linked to Diane’s in the media, our poll numbers drop. So no, I don’t want you looking at him. I don’t want Frank Macy within ten miles of anyone from Common Way. Was he involved in Justin’s death? I have no idea. Frankly, I don’t care, but if you want my political opinion, think about this. If Ramona Cortes wanted to attack Diane, an old client like Frank Macy would be a great way to do it. Macy wouldn’t need to be connected to the murder at all. Just planting his name would hurt us. Has it occurred to you that Ramona might be behind all of this? That she might be manipulating you and Peach to sabotage Diane?’

‘It has,’ Cab said.

‘Then maybe you should stop listening to her and focus on what I hired you to do.’

Caprice showed the sharpness of her teeth for the first time. She was a dominatrix, accustomed to getting what she wanted. He felt the allure. He knew exactly what a relationship with her would be like. He had no illusions that he would be the one in charge. She could take a strong man and drive him mad.

‘Sorry,’ she said, putting her smile back on. ‘That’s my passion coming through.’

‘I realize that.’

‘Remember, politics means nothing to you, but it’s everything to me.’

‘I realize that, too.’

She was the coquette again. ‘Forgive me?’

Cab smiled. ‘Of course.’

‘I didn’t mean to treat you like an employee. It’s a bad habit of mine. Honestly, I have to confess, I was thinking about other things when I hired you. I wanted to get to know you better. Not that you’re not good at what you do, but you’re very attractive.’

‘The feeling is mutual.’