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scorched her hard
exterior and I didn’t want to test it. I also wanted her agreement
that my debt was paid. I wanted free of her something desperate.
She was too shrewd, too observant for my liking.
    “I need more
information. Your mother said she could bring people back.”
    “And I could.
If you give me people to sacrifice in the process. Five or six of
them at least,” I stated. I beckoned Ali to stand up slowly and
handed her a small drink from my bag. I turned to leave but Jessica
grabbed my arm. I just looked at her. Stern she may be but I was
scarier. If she kept pushing me I was going to show her just how
much.
    “I never asked
for that.”
    “I keep my
friends safe. Ali does not owe me her life and I will not have her
death on my conscience. Now release me. My debt is paid.” I looked
from her hand to her face, carefully ignoring Ali and the other
officer. And the fact that I couldn’t focus on her expression with
such a quick glance. My contact lenses interfered too much with my
other vision to wear them while raising.
    “I need more.
He’s not the first one. I need to catch this guy before he spreads
panic.” She still hadn’t let go, but her hold softened enough that
I could slip my arm out. I also noticed that she wanted to stop the
guy before panic spread, not before he killed again. So very
typical.
    “That is not my
problem Jessica. I’m going home.” I motioned Ali out of the tent
ahead of me. She moved the material out of the way with her sleeve
like she was used to not leaving evidence of her passing behind. I
might have to get to know the girl a bit better. She could prove
useful.
    “At least help
me figure it out,” Jessica asked. “I can pay you as a consultant on
the case. They don’t want bodies clogging up the roads. A kid found
this one. Please Mal.” I turned at that. For the most part I
avoided giving out my name. I’d forgotten that Jessica had known me
when I was still young enough for my mother to introduce.
    “I’m not a
detective Jessica. I’m a necromancer. I deal with the dead, I don’t
catch the living.”
    “Whoever this
guy is he doesn’t leave any evidence. Nothing. Not DNA or
particles. He’s a freaking ghost. Tell me how that’s not your
thing.” She gave me a hard look, the woman was desperate. In all
honesty I could use the money but I’d spoken the truth. I knew
nothing about investigating crime. “I don’t need an investigator. I
need a lead.”
    -------------------

 
    I opened the
door and held it to let Ali and Jessica in. Jessica had balked when
we’d entered the back alleys but she’d kept on. A warm bed and a
hot meal had been part of my deal with Ali. I’d thrown it in when I
realised that she hadn’t got anywhere else to go. I let Jessica
think she was an assistant, it was easier that way. The woman
didn’t want to understand how many of us lived.
    There were no
cameras near my home. It hadn’t been easy to find, and it had been
even harder to clean the former brothel, but I wouldn’t live
anywhere else. To stay off the grid required some manoeuvres that
seemed overly paranoid. I wasn’t even as bad as my mother had
been.
    “Here,” I said
as I lead them into the living room. The sofa was worn but comfy
and a small table held an old kettle and tea pot. A bit of cold gel
held the milk. I busied myself making tea as Ali settled in and
Jessica perched on the edge of the wooden chair in the corner. She
may need me but she wasn’t apt to trust me.
    “I don’t have
any sugar,” I said as I placed two cups on the coffee table, taking
a third one for myself and curling up on the sofa. I knew where
absolutely everything was so there was no need for my contacts. If
at all possible I was going to try and keep Jessica from finding
out about my shortcomings. “What do you want me to do exactly?”
    “I want you to
tell me how that man was killed. And why he couldn’t tell us.”
Jessica’s hold on her cup was the only indication of