"And this conversation is no longer productive," Luc ruled. "Moving on."
"They went very violent very quickly," Ethan said. "I find it unusual we hadn't heard anything about this Clean Chicago group before today."
"Have we seen anything on the Web?" I asked, looking around at the vampires at the table.
"Not that we've found so far," Kelley said. "If they've got a Web presence, it's pretty well hidden."
"Point of order," Jeff said. "There's no such thing as 'well hidden' on the Web. If you put something on the Web, it's out there and it's available. 'Hidden' is just an issue of skill."
"We're all aware of your particular prowess, Mr. Christopher," Ethan said with a smirk.
"Damn right," Jeff said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. "Anyway, I looked, too, and I didn't find anything else. Which says to me they're new, or they're insular. They stay off the Web and keep to themselves."
"Staying private isn't necessarily unusual for hate groups," Luc said. "It depends on how unpopular they think their hatred will be. But there's usually some effort made to get new members and spread the word. Remember that organization in Alabama a few months ago?"
Lindsey nodded. "We've seen hatred and protestors before. But Molotov cocktails? That steps it up a bit."
"Molotovs are a hell-raiser's best friend," Luc said. "Not that I have any experience with anything like that."
"Chicago 'twenty-four?" Ethan asked dryly.
"That was a long time ago," Luc said, "if I was to admit I did anything in 1924, which I am not so admitting."
"They planned ahead enough to pick a vamp-related target and assemble bombs," I said.
"Maybe it wasn't just the vampire connection," Juliet said. Her hair was down today, waving softly across her shoulders, and she pushed it behind her ears with her fingertips. "Maybe there was something in the Bryant Industries building? Or some personal animosity against the owners?"
Lindsey nodded. "Maybe they've got enemies. Someone who wanted to put a little hurt on."
"Actually, I've got something," Jeff said. "We got an employee list from Bryant Industries."
"That was fast," I remarked.
"They were very cooperative," Jeff said. "I've got a hit on one of the women who works there. Does the name Robin Pope ring a bell?"
We all looked around the room, but no one offered anything.
"Not to us, Jeff," Luc said. "Who is she?"
"Former employee. She filed a grievance against the company a few months ago for" - he paused, and we could hear the clicking of keys - "the violation of her rights as a whistle-blower."
"That's interesting," Luc said. "What did they think she was tattling about?"
"Looking . . . looking . . . Okay, so her complaint says she believed the company was illegally assisting supernaturals."
Luc pursed his lips. "That's not a bad lead. She thinks supernaturals have it too good at Bryant Industries, maybe she's willing to put her money where her mouth is with a Molotov cocktail or baseball bat."
"Agreed," Ethan put in.
"Was she arrested with the rioters?" I asked.
"She's not on the list," Jeff said. "I'm running her pic against the videos and photos of the riots on the Web. That will take a little time."
"Even if she wasn't there, she could have a hand in it," my grandfather said. "Could be she's an officer, not a soldier."
"We should talk to her," Lindsey said. "We should also pay a visit to Bryant Industries."
"Good thoughts," Luc said, then looked at me. "Merit, you're the roaming guard. Assuming our liege here approves, those sound like assignments for you."