She said nothing for a moment, then, "I'm gathering this is Hunter's job?"
"No." I wished it was. It would be a whole lot easier talking to a ghost than having to sit here and listen to the bitter cacophony coming from the other room while I waited for a monster to make an appearance. "He might be able to help us pinpoint John Nadler, the third member of the consortium that's been buying up the land around Stane's shop."
"You know, if this information source is now dead, then it suggests Nadler really doesn't want to be found. Step carefully, Risa."
"Yeah, yeah, I will."
She snorted. In the background water splattered into a sink; then came more footsteps. She'd finally moved out of the bathroom.
"Here's Adeline's phone number." She reeled off the number, and added, "But don't you dare ring her now. She'll be asleep, like most normal people."
"Don't worry. I'm only this inconsiderate to my friends." I paused, then said with a grin, "And besides, I'm sure you and Mirri can find a pleasant way to pass the time until sleep arrives again."
"Mirri's on night shift," she reminded me, "so if I play with anyone, it'll be myself."
I grinned. "Flying solo can be fun."
"I'll remind you of that the next time you're whining about the lack of men and sex in your life." Her voice was dry. "Just be careful, Ris. I'm still getting some bad vibes from this whole Hunter deal."
No surprise there, since I had a council execution order hanging over my head. But I didn't say anything—she was worried enough as it was. She didn't need to know the details.
"I'll be fine," I said. "Just make sure you be careful, as well."
"I will. Night."
"Night."
I hung up, shoved the phone away, then leaned back against the wall, listening to the growing wailing and wishing it could cover up the other sounds and smells coming from the room. The scents of hunger, desire, and blood, the moans that were filled with ecstasy rather than anger, the rending of material and the smack of flesh against flesh. The vampire involved tonight was obviously into aggressive sex as well as blood taking.