Diane shrugged. Her body language wasn’t designed to encourage him.

‘I’ve tried to talk to Tarla about the shooting,’ he went on, ‘but she won’t say anything. I think she’s keeping something from me.’

‘Why do you think that?’ Diane asked.

‘I know my mother. Do you have any idea what it could be?’

‘I don’t. She and I don’t talk about that night. We never have.’

‘Tarla’s meeting me at the Bok Sanctuary tomorrow afternoon,’ Cab added.

‘Whatever for?’

‘Sometimes being back in a place where something bad happened will jar memories.’

‘Maybe some memories are best left buried,’ Diane said. ‘I’d forget that night if I could.’

‘Tell me something: was Drew there with all of you that night?’

‘Excuse me?’

‘I was wondering if your son was on the dais, too.’

‘No, he wasn’t.’

‘Where was he?’ Cab asked.

‘Drew? He was home. He wasn’t well. What does this have to do with anything?’

‘Nothing. I just wondered how the trauma affected him. Were he and Birch close?’

Diane frowned. ‘No.’

‘Stepfather and stepson. It’s never easy.’

She didn’t respond well to his sympathy. ‘No, it’s not.’

‘I heard that Drew had a bad episode shortly before the murders.’

‘My son had drug problems for most of his life, Cab.’

‘Yes, I know that. Was there anything that triggered that particular episode? Did something happen?’

Diane stood up, cutting him off. ‘Addicts don’t need triggers, I’m afraid. Look, Cab, I hate to be abrupt, but can we cut this short? I’m tired. The campaign is exhausting. I really don’t want to talk about this anymore.’

‘Of course.’

‘I’m sorry I can’t be more help. It’s nice to see you again. Really.’

‘It is.’ Cab stood up, too.

‘As I said before, this whole thing is probably a waste of your time. Caprice’s heart is in the right place, but I wish she’d talked to me before hiring you. I would have told her not to bother.’

‘I actually hope you’re right about that,’ Cab said. ‘That would mean you’re safe.’

She led him to the front door, and the parting was awkward. They didn’t embrace. They didn’t shake hands. She acted as if she couldn’t wait for him to be gone, and she closed the door immediately behind him.

He found himself alone in the garden. It was night now. At the base of the steps, golden lanterns on white pillars illuminated the sidewalk, leading him away from the house. He made his way to the main gate, which was elaborately sculpted in wrought iron, with designs of herons and tree branches. The security guard let him out. Cab noted with satisfaction that the man was observant and tough, but he was only one man, and there were plenty of ways to breach the wall.