“Okay, here’s what I want. Shortly before Tanya was killed, Evan was ranting that he’d deeded over several of his most valuable residential properties, put them in Tanya’s name, as a tax dodge. We’re talking several million dollars’ worth of real estate. And now, with Tanya’s death, the property goes to her child. Letty is the child’s guardian, which puts her in control of what Wingfield regards as his property—meaning both his kid and his real estate.”

Joe raised one eyebrow. “You’re telling me, what?”

“Wingfield’s solution is hiring me. To find Letty, get rid of her, and bring Maya back.”

Vikki motioned to the server, pointed at her empty glass, and waited for Joe’s reaction.

“You’re shitting me,” he said finally. “He’s put out a hit? On Letty?”

“Afraid so.”

Joe pointed at his own empty glass and nodded at the server.

“Let me get this straight. Evan Wingfield hires a woman he thinks is merely a corrupt civil servant—to kill his former girlfriend? I’m sorry. I can’t wrap my brain around that. I mean, he bribes you to look the other way when it comes to some illegal apartments, and then next thing you know you’re a contract killer? Why would he trust you like that?”

The server set the refills on the table and whisked away the empties. Agent Hill tasted hers and grimaced. “Gross. This is yours. How do guys drink that craft beer shit?”

“How do you drink those piss-weak sorority beers?” Joe countered.

She pushed the plastic cup away. “Never mind. Look. I’ve been dealing with Wingfield for eighteen months, flattering him, fending off his not-so-subtle advances, giving him what he wants. When we met, I told him I was a former NYPD officer, who left the force under shady circumstances. The former-cop part is true. Anyway, he’s a narcissistic sociopath. He surrounds himself with people who feed his ego. Because he’s a crook, he assumes everyone else is a crook.”

Joe DeCurtis looked dubious.

“Okay. I don’t have time to screw around trying to convince you that I’m for real. I need you to introduce me to Letty Carnahan. Like, right away. Wingfield is not a patient man. He wants her dead, and he wants it done right away. If I’m gonna pull this off, I need her to trust me. I need you to trust me. Otherwise, this whole thing falls apart. And Wingfield literally gets away with murder.”

“You’re asking a lot,” Joe said.

“Yeah, I am. But consider the alternative.”

“Which is what?”