That afternoon I drove not home but to the aging industrial park where Christopher kept his headquarters.

The bored young receptionist perked up when I entered.

“Is Christopher available?” I asked, keeping my voice perfectly level.

“He stepped out for a late lunch about twenty minutes ago,” she said, and then bit her lip.

“With Melanie.”

“And who is Melanie?”

“Our new Director of Public Relations.

She joined a few months ago.”