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second ring. ‘Hey, boss! Good to hear from you.’
    Gemma smiled. ‘What’s with the “boss” word, Spinner? The days when I could afford to pay you are long gone. How’s it going?’
    ‘I’m managing okay. And you know it’s just a matter of time before I’m back on your payroll again,’ he said, and Gemma imagined
     his wizened little ex-jockey’s face, with its earnest expression.Spinner was a natural surveillance operative; with an agile mind and body, he was always fully aware of his surroundings and
     noticed even the smallest changes that took place around him. All the qualities that had made him a great jockey before he
     got too heavy for the gallopers. ‘Things’ll pick up for you,’ Spinner was saying, ‘once you start working again. How’s my
     little godson?’ Spinner had talked her into attending a christening celebration in the hall of his rather strange church when
     Rafi was a couple of months old. There’d been a lot of splashing around in a warm water tub for Rafi, plus hymns and sandwiches.
    In New South Head Road, Gemma changed lanes to turn into the Edgecliff Centre.
    ‘He’s perfect. Listen, Spinner, does the name Angelo Tolmacheff mean anything to you?’
    ‘Some sort of vodka? Can’t say it does, boss. Should I know him?’
    ‘No, but I’m about to make his acquaintance – for a new client. Gotta go,’ she said, ‘I’m almost there.’
    ‘Where is “there”?’ he asked.
    ‘The Edgecliff Centre. I’m trying to pick up a lead on the vodka guy.’
    ‘Give me the details,’ said Spinner. ‘I’ve got a job nearby, around Double Bay. You never know what I might see in passing.’
    As she drove into the parking station, Gemma told him what she knew about Tolmacheff.
    ‘Send me his picture,’ said Spinner. ‘If I notice anything interesting, I’ll let you know.’ She was about to end the call
     when Spinner added, ‘I’m not sure if I should tell you this, but what the hell. I saw Steve recently. He didn’t look too good.’
    Gemma’s heart twinged. ‘Oh?’ she said, trying to sound noncommittal. ‘Where was he?’
    ‘In a cafe at Phoenix Bay. With some chick. They weren’t getting on. Steve didn’t look happy at all.’
    Some chick
. ‘What did she look like?’ Gemma couldn’t help asking, then immediately wished she hadn’t.
    ‘Brown hair with streaks. High-heeled boots, tight red jumper. A real glamour. Could’ve been a working girl in working gear.
     You know Steve has to keep some colourful company sometimes.’
    ‘Very colourful,’ said Gemma. ‘Bye, Spinner.’
    What if she wasn’t a working girl and part of Steve’s undercover life? The last Gemma had heard, he was on sick leave. What
     if this was Steve’s new girl?
    Her heart ached. But it didn’t last long. As she parked the car she reminded herself that she now lived in a whole new world
     – a whole new life. Her life was with Mike and Rafi, Steve’s son.
    She hurried to the lifts and stepped out on the first floor where she easily found the small office she was looking for –
     Satellite Imports & Promotions Pty Ltd. Pretending she was just passing by, Gemma peered through the lettering on the window
     and into the office but had to walk on quickly when the door suddenly opened. Risking a backwards glance, she saw a heavily
     built man striding away. Tolmacheff. She kept her distance as he walked into the lift and then she hurried to the stairs,
     listening for the lift as she raced to the ground floor. It didn’t stop, so she kept clattering down to the basement parking
     level just in time to see him. No doubt about it. It was Angelo and he was heading towards a dark blue Mercedes. Gemma hurried
     to her car, jumped in and activated the video camera mounted on her dashboard before she took off to follow the Mercedes up
     the ramp and onto the street.
    She found him waiting at the traffic lights heading towards the city, and followed, leaving a couple of cars between them