Martin regarded me with a mix of bewilderment and bemusement. “Well, this is a surprise.” Into the speakerphone, he said. “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I’m being called away. You’ll have to wrap this up without me.” I heard a German-accented voice and another accent I didn’t recognize thanking him, then Martin cut the connection.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Sklar,” panted the secretary as she rushed in. “I tried… to stop her… but she wouldn’t—”

“Lily is a dear friend. If she didn’t live in Spain you’d be used to seeing her in this office, and you’d know she’s an unstoppable force.”

With a bumbling apology, the secretary went out the door, head low, pulling it closed with the softest click behind her.

Martin stood up. He was wearing a double-breasted gray suit with a dark blue shirt, French cuffs cinched by ladybug cufflinks. His playful side was in full view, and there was no hint of the weariness and frustration of the night before. “May I take your coat?” He made a point of looking me over. “You look absolutely beautiful. Are you bored senseless hearing that?” He kissed me, aiming for my mouth but getting my cheek. For once, my body didn’t betray me to him.

“You need to work harder on your lines. Try for something original.”

“Will you sit down while I wrack my poor brain for inspiration?”

“Don’t go to the trouble. I’m here to get the answer to one question. Why did you hire a private investigator to look for Claudia?”

Martin looked surprised. “I thought you’d be pleased, Lily. I told you last night I would do anything I could to help. I meant it.”

“When I saw you last night, you’d already hired an investigator. Gregory Robinson. He went to my sister’s building yesterday. Or are you going to claim you didn’t hire him?”

“I hired him,” said Martin. “I don’t see what the problem is. I wanted to do something to help you, and I thought this would. I’ve used Gregory’s firm many times in the past. They’re good at what they do. I trust him.”

“Is following me part of his job description?”

“Of course not. Why would it be?”

“He was shadowing me today,” I said. “He followed me to Claudia’s building. Mr. Pete recognized him. Then he chased after me when I left.”

“That’s completely inexcusable. I would never have imagined Gregory’s firm doing such a ridiculous thing. They normally do good work for me, but this…” Martin’s annoyance seemed genuine. He was all about the big picture, not the details, and I realized that even though he’d hired Robinson, he probably hadn’t discussed tactics. “I’ll call them immediately. I promise you it won’t happen again.”