One of the club employees served him a bear claw and a bottle of water. The sugar helped keep him awake. His ears still rang from the noise of the storm. When he finished the pastry, he got up and went to the mirrored wall and adjusted the knot in his tie.

Over his shoulder, he saw the Attorney General join him in the fitness room. She was wet from the rain.

‘Hello, Cab,’ Ramona said. ‘A little over-dressed for Pilates, aren’t you?’

‘I’m more of a Zumba man.’

‘I’d like to see that,’ she said, chuckling. ‘Do you mind if I run while we talk?’

‘Not at all.’

‘This hour is sacred. Regardless of what else you do, you need to respect your body. As it is, I had to cancel my massage today, and I never miss that. My masseur is unavailable.’

Ramona was dressed in running shorts and a tank top. She had a towel draped around her neck, and she wore pink Nikes. She was a small woman, but her legs were muscled and shapely under the snug Lycra. Her arms looked strong. She climbed onto a treadmill and set it at a slow pace. Gracefully, she jogged along with the moving platform.

‘So I hear you quit,’ she called over the noise of the machine. ‘Caprice must not be happy. She’s a stubborn woman. She’s accustomed to getting what she wants.’

‘Funny, she says the same thing about you,’ Cab said.

‘I’m sure she does, and she’s right. Anyway, I’m glad you took my advice.’

‘Well, I decided I would live a happier life not working for politicians.’

‘Astute choice,’ Ramona said. She increased the speed of the machine, until she was running, not jogging.

‘I’m still investigating the threat against Diane,’ Cab said. ‘I’m convinced it’s real and imminent.’

Ramona gave him a sideways glance. ‘Why do you think that?’

‘Because I’m looking into someone with a considerable motive to harm Diane. He’s someone from your past. A client named Frank Macy.’

If she found the name unexpected, she didn’t show it. ‘Frank? I really don’t think you need to worry about him.’

‘When did you last talk to him?’

‘It’s been several years. I severed ties to prior clients when I was elected. I knew he was released not too long ago, but that’s all. Mind you, I know Frank, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s up to his old tricks again. Drugs. Guns. He likes having money to throw at the girls on the beach.’

‘Frank had close ties to Diane’s son. Drew Hempl. And he has a history with Diane, too.’

Ramona’s lips pursed into a frown, but the speed of her run didn’t change. ‘Yes, I know he does.’

‘What do you know about Frank’s relationship with her?’

‘Quite a lot, actually.’