Liv paused for a moment, letting Chloe think she’d won. She repositioned the knot in her tie. Georgia Rory wouldn’t give in to pressure, and neither would she. “I look after Essie’s place while she works away. After three decades of writing, she needs a bit of help now and again with her editing. She has the ideas, and does most of the work. I help out a little, and that’s it. I don’t think you have anything at all.”

Chloe sat up straighter. “I saw two manuscripts. Two sets of handwriting. You virtually live in her apartment. Why was there a man’s tie on Essie’s desk?”

“I’m sorry. You have nothing.” Liv knew she’d have to dangle a carrot to get the journalist off her back. She couldn’t risk her accessing the apartment again, or sniffing anything else out. Thinking quickly, she said, “We could do a trade.”

Chloe narrowed her eyes. “What trade? An interview with Essie?”

Liv didn’t want to answer questions on behalf of the author. She refused to divulge anything Ted, Sven or Anthony had shared with her. Hank Milligan’s PR people had never got back in touch with her about her email.

The opening of Hank’s new UK bar was in a couple of days’ time, and she wondered if Chloe knew about it. A plan dropped in her head she wasn’t sure she could deliver.

“Essie won’t do an interview, but what if I can get you fresh material?” she said enticingly. “Quotes from someone close to Essie. Someone important...”

Chloe leaned closer. Her breath quickened. “You mean Hank Milligan? He’s never spoken about Essie publicly before. There are rumors he paid off a journalist. Do you know why?”

Liv shrugged enigmatically. She didn’t know anything about this. If she did get anything from Hank, she’d be discreet about what she passed onto Chloe.

“A confirmed quote?” Chloe said. “What’s the deal in return?”

Liv finished her drink and set her glass firmly down on the table. “You don’t publish anything until November the first.”

Chloe thought about this. “Why then?”

“Essie’s new book will be finished.”

Chloe stroked a thumb across her tattoo. “Can you get me an excerpt? I’ll make sure it gets great exposure. And I’d love to read it, too, of course.”