"The other masters were afraid of Nikolaos," he said.
"And they're not afraid of you." It wasn't a question.
"Unfortunately, no."
"Why not?"
"They are not as easily impressed as you are, ma petite."
I started to say I wasn't impressed, but it wasn't true. Jean-Claude could smell it when I lied, so why bother?
"So there could be another master in the city without your knowledge."
"Yes."
"Wouldn't you sort of sense each other?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not."
"Thanks for clearing that up."
He rubbed fingertips across his forehead as if he had a headache. Did vampires get headaches? "I cannot tell you what I do not know."
"Would the..." I groped for a word, and couldn't find one--"more mundane vampires be able to kill someone without your permission?"
"Mundane?"
"Just answer the damn question."
"Yes, they could."
"Would five vampires hunt in a pack without a master vampire to referee?"
He nodded. "Very nice choice of word, ma petite, and the answer is no. We are solitary hunters, given a choice."
I nodded. "So either you, Malcolm, Yasmeen, or some mysterious master is behind it."
"Not Yasmeen. She is not strong enough."
"Okay, then you, Malcolm, or a mysterious master."
"Do you really think I have gone rogue?" He was smiling at me, but his eyes held something more serious. Did it matter to him what I thought of him? I hoped not.
"I don't know."
"You would confront me, thinking I might be insane? How indiscreet of you."
"If you don't like the answer, you shouldn't have asked the question," I said.
"Very true."
The office door opened. Dolph came out, notebook in hand. "You can go home, Anita. I'll check the statements with you tomorrow."
I nodded. "Thanks."
"Heh, I know where you live." He smiled.
I smiled back. "Thanks, Dolph." I stood up.