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