Diana and Mulligan drove from the hotel down to Hesperides Financial once again, leaving Mossie in the car with the window cracked. They entered the grandiose lobby and were shown to the private elevator by Cynthia.

     “I didn’t expect you back so soon, Miss Diana.” Cynthia admitted as the door shut.

     “I’ve got a few new questions for Mr. Cash.”

     Very soon Mulligan and Diana were let into the office, where Darius Cash was waiting.

     “Miss Diana! Have you rethought dinner?” Cash smiled, looking up from his computer.

     “Not quite, I’m afraid. I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

     “Well, ask away, my dear detective.”

     “Thank you.” Diana let Mulligan take the seat and paced about the office, examining everything as she went, “What is your relationship with Miss Williams?”

     “Of the Lumin Resort?” Cash leaned back in his seat, a pensive look on his face, “Well, we’ve collaborated on a few projects, I like to believe we’re friends.”

     “Oh, I’d say you’re more than friends, sir.”

     “You would?”

     “Oh, I think you’re much closer than people think.” Diana nods, “I noticed a lipstick stain on your collar last time I was here, yet you still invited me to dinner with you.”

     “And that tells you what?”

     “That you’re carrying out at least two affairs, probably more.”

     “You’re making quite a leap there, detective.”

     “No, I don’t think I am, Mister Cash. You see, I visited Miss Williams right before you did. She was dressed very nicely for a standard meeting.” Diana explained, leaning on the desk, “Miss Williams isn’t the type of woman to doll herself up for no reason. And you’re the type of man who likes to keep his options open, so to speak.”

     “Well, that’s very perceptive of you, Miss Diana.” Cash brushed a bit of dust from his shoulders and leaned closer, “But you cannot prove a word of it.”

     “What would your wife say is she learned you were seeing Miss Williams? What would Miss Williams say if she found out you were sleeping with your security guard Cynthia?” Diana raises her eyebrow, smiling as she read the veiled surprise on Cash’s face, “Oh, yes, I know who it was too. That smudge was the same color as her lipstick.”

     “She’d ask you for the proof.” Cash leaned back in his seat, relaxing his shoulders, “Which, of course, you do not have, detective.”

     “Perhaps you’re right.” Diana smiles, standing up straight and strolling across the office. She came to a stop in front of the clock, “This is a beautiful clock, Mr. Cash.”

     “Oh, um… why, thank you. I just had it serviced, I should hope it is in good condition.”

     “When was that?”

     “I’m sorry?”

     “When was your clock serviced?”

     “Well, uh… I had it serviced on the first and it was returned to me on the third. Why?”

     “I like to be aware of every little detail, useful or not.” Diana explained, “Unless Mulligan here has any questions to ask, we’ll be leaving now.”

     “Please, do.”

     “Have a good day, Mr. Cash.” Diana tapped her head and stepped back into the private elevator.

     Mulligan and Diana left Hesperides Financials and stopped off at the False Note, getting lunch before returning to Diana’s apartment. She waved Mulligan farewell and spent the day deep in thought, working out motives and opportunity in her head. The sun had begun to set in the sky when she bid Mossie farewell and biked over to the Dreaming Nook.

     “Diana! Whiskey?”

     “On the rocks, BB.” Diana smiled, taking a seat at the bar.

     After her drink had been served, Trixie took a seat on the stool next to her with a wink, an iced tea cocktail in hand, “I hope this seat isn’t taken?”

     “Oh, uh, no. No, it’s open.” Diana nearly choked on her drink, “But, uh, you might want to sit somewhere else.”

     “Why, because someone tried to kill you?” Trixie laughed, “I can handle a little danger.”

     “I like that.” Diana chuckled, “How’s your day been?”

-

     Diana woke up the next morning nursing a hangover, with three texts waiting for the disoriented detective.

     The first two messages were from Argil, “Hey, I’ve got that recording you asked for.” The first read, and the second, “Had a look, Amancio’s alibi checks out. Dead end.”

     The second was a bit more interesting and came from a number she didn’t recognize.

     “Hey! This is Trixie. I did a bit of snooping of my own and found your number after last night.”

     Diana smiled, starting to get dressed for the day, “BB gave it to you, didn’t he?”

     “Of course he did, he also said you liked your steak rare.”

     “Does that matter?”

     “That depends, how does dinner sound?”

     Diana pulled on her jacket and stepped out of the apartment, taking Mossie along on his leash. Hesitating to answer, she left the apartment to walk with Mossie, but paused. She looked at her phone once again, Trixie wasn’t going to answer herself.

     “That sounds like fun.”