“True. What is another lie to a liar?” He pauses. I keep my gaze level. “You know, the courtesan seems to have disappeared.”

“Has she?”

“Her apartment has been cleared out meticulously.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, too meticulous, if you ask me.”

“I didn’t realize.”

He takes a drink, letting the silence hang. “I hear Ms. De La Rosa hasn’t been to see her sister-in-law in the hospital. Why is that?” No segue into this change of topic then.

“I haven’t allowed it. I feel it would be too upsetting for all of them.”

“Because the relationship within the family is strained. Hence The Rite.”

“With all due respect, what are you getting at, Councilor?”

Silence again. I won’t crack, and he knows it. But it doesn’t stop him in his little power play. After an eternity, he smiles and shakes his head. “I’m sure it’s nothing. That young woman surely isn’t capable of doing anything that may cause harm to others.”

“Surely not.”

“Well, anyway, I was going to ask you where your brother is. Your mother told me you knew, but she couldn’t say.”

Goddamn bitch.

“Why are you looking for Theron?”

“I’ve had a call from a family in our Washington faction. Seems there may be a match for him.”

“Is that so?”

“Unless, of course, Ms. De La Rosa and he—”

“Ms. De La Rosa and he are not an item.”

He smiles and nods. “And your intentions with the young lady?”

“Excuse me?”

“You should know there are rumors. I know your reputation, Judge. You are above reproach. Just take care. You know how cruel some can be.”

“I do.” Hildebrand included.

“Good. Now since I have you, if you don’t mind, talk through a case with me, will you? I could use some sage advice.”

“Of course,” I say, although all I want to do is get back to the party, where I promised I wouldn’t leave Mercedes on her own, and whisk her away before those vultures can do any more damage. Because they have been talking, stirring up things they have no business in. But more than an hour passes before I return to the courtyard. Guests have grown louder as they drink, and more of them have gathered in the courtyard, but Mercedes isn’t among them.

That’s when I see my mother. Well, I hear her first. Her laugh is too shrill. I walk to where she’s speaking with a group of mostly middle-aged men, and I wonder if she is looking for a new match. It would make sense. When she sees me, she misses a beat but is quick to cover it up with a smile toward me.

“Mother.”

“Judge. Don’t tell me Councilor Hildebrand kept you this long. How gauche!”

“Have you seen Mercedes?”

“She was dancing a little while ago.” I stiffen, and she smiles wide. “Inside.”