our so-called witness was Kye. He wasn't likely to ever trace the image back to Kye, and the fewer people who knew he was back in town, the better for my sanity. "I'll send through the pictures now so someone can chase up some information on them."
"I'll get Benson on to it the minute he gets here."
Benson was one of the newer liaisons, and while he was every bit as efficient as Sal, he was far less fun to goad.
"Thanks, Jack," I said, and hung up.
I quickly finished my shower then ran into the bedroom to get dressed. Quinn wasn't there, but the smell of man and coffee led me into the kitchen, where I found both. He handed me a steaming travel mug, then kissed me lightly on the lips. "Be careful out there. It could get nasty."
I raised my eyebrows. "You overheard my conversation with Jack?"
He shook his head. "I'm an advisor to the council, much the same as Jack is."
"Two facts I wasn't aware of until now." I studied him for a moment, wondering if I'd ever uncover all there was to know about him. "I can understand Jack being an advisor, given he's in charge of the guardian division and his sister is on the council, but why are you?"
"I was once a cazador, and I'm one of the few who survived the experience." He shrugged. "I'm the one they call for advice when things go bad."
Cazadors were basically vampire hitmen. From the little Quinn had said about them, they worked for the council and took out anyone who broke the council's rules or those who went really bad. As in, more than the Directorate could handle, and we handled some pretty nasty shit.
"So they haven't called you for advice yet?"
"No." His expression sobered. "And pray that they don't, because that would probably mean we are on the verge of war. "
"Do you think things will get that bad?"
He hesitated. "If the Directorate can quash the speculation in the press and catch whoever is behind these beheadings quickly enough, then the council will be able to control the situation, vampire wise."
"But what about the unrest over the Directorate's handling of blood whores?"
"The council is about to issue an edict regarding that, and it will basically back the law as it currently stands." He shrugged. "They have no other choice, really, though the decision was not unanimous."
If he knew how the voting was going on council decisions, then he was something more than a mere advisor. "So you agreed with the vote?"
He smiled and tapped a finger against my nose. "I didn't vote, if that's what you want to know. As an advisor, I can't."
"But you were there to witness it."
"Yes, but simply because I'm also fairly far up in the hierarchy. It is my right - and often my duty - to witness all council decisions."
"So how come you're not on the council itself? I gather you could be?"
"Yes, I could. I just have no wish to be."
"Why not?"
"Didn't Jack tell you to hurry to some murder scene?"
So much for him not listening to my conversation. "Yes, but if I leave now, I may never get an answer to my questions."
"The problem with you and questions is the fact that you never seem to run out of them."
I grinned. "You shouldn't be such a damn mystery then, and we wouldn't have that problem. And seeing that you avoided my last question, I'm owed one more. Then I'll leave."
He rolled his eyes. "Okay."
"How did you attend council meetings when you were living full time in Sydney? I was under the impression that the council met every day."
"Every state has it own council, and they handle the day-to-day governing of the vampire population. The highest ranking members from each of these make up the greater council, which presides in Melbourne. These are the meetings I attend, and they're generally once a month, unless problems arise."
"Is there some sort of worldwide ubercouncil?"
He smiled. "I can't say."
Meaning he wouldn't say, but that there was. "So the greater council would handle things like the discontent over the Directorate's handling of the blood whore killers and the beheadings."
"Yes. The man I went out with last night came to town specifically to attend the greater council meeting. We went for drinks afterward."
"Will I ever get to meet this friend?"
"That is a second question."
"You are such a pain in the ass, vampire." I leaned forward and kissed him. Lightly. Sweetly. "I have no idea