“Paige doesn’t require my supervision. You approached her with this case, hoping it might interest her because it concerns a witch. Whether she decides to take it is her choice.”

Every pair of eyes turned to me. I felt the eager words of agreement leap to my throat. No one in this room gave a damn about Dana MacArthur. She needed someone on her side, and I longed to be that someone. Yet I locked my mouth shut and gave my brain time to override my heart.

One tragedy, and one near-tragedy, both involving the runaway kids of Cortez Cabal employees. Did I think they were related? No. The streets were a harsh and violent place for teens. That’s a cold fact. I had to make an equally cold decision. I had to let someone else find justice for Dana. If I took this case, it would involve Lucas, if only by forcing him to act as middleman between the Cabal and me. I wouldn’t do that to him. So I thanked everyone for coming out…and turned them down.

Time to Empty the Minibar

AFTER THE MEETING, BENICIO WALKED WITH US BACK to his office to get our overnight bags.

“I’d like you to take Troy tonight,” Benicio said. “I’m concerned. If someone’s targeting Cabal children—”

“I believe I’m a decade or so above fulfilling that requirement,” Lucas said.

“But you’re still my child. You know Troy; he’ll be as unobtrusive as possible. I just…I want you to be safe.”

Lucas lifted his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, then glanced over at me.

I nodded.

“Let me take a guard from the security pool, then,” Lucas said. “You should keep yours—”

“I’ll still have Griffin,” Benicio said, nodding at Troy’s partner. “That will be enough tonight.”

When Lucas finally agreed, Benicio slid in a few more “requests.” He wanted to pick up the tab for our hotel, to compensate for bringing us here. Lucas refused. Benicio backed off, but followed with another demand. With the combination of this new threat and 9/11, he didn’t want Lucas flying on a commercial airline. He’d make sure the corporate jet was fueled up to take us home. Again Lucas refused. Now Benicio dug in his heels, and kept them dug in until Lucas finally agreed to accept the hotel room, just to get us out of there.

By the time we escaped to the street, Lucas’s forehead had gained ten years of stress-furrows. He stood beside the garden, closed his eyes, and inhaled.

“The sweet smell of freedom,” I said.

He tried to smile, but his lips faltered and fell into a tired line. He squinted up and down the street, then headed east. Troy fell into position two paces behind. After a few yards, Lucas glanced over his shoulder.

“Troy? Please, walk beside us.”

“Sorry,” Troy said, striding up.“Habit.”

“Yes, well, when a two-hundred-and-fifty-pound half-demon follows me, it’s never a good thing. Fleeing for my life is usually involved.”

Troy grinned. “You need a bodyguard.”

“I need a saner life. Or faster feet. Right now, though, we need…”

“Wheels,” I said. “Followed by stiff drinks.”

“Uh, sir?”

Lucas winced.

“Lucas, I meant,” Troy said. “The parking garage is beside the office. We needed to take the walkway across to get the car.”

Lucas sighed. “Now you tell me.”

“Hey, it’s not my place to think. That’s for you sorcerer guys. Me? I’m paid to keep my mouth shut, glare at strangers, and, on a good day, break a couple kneecaps.”

“Cushy job,” I said.

“It has its moments. The kneecap-breaking gets a little stale, though. I’ve tried tossing in the occasional jaw-busting and skull-smacking, but Mr. Cortez, he’s a kneecap man.”

Lucas shook his head and headed back toward the building.

At the hotel, Troy cased our room before allowing us inside. Seemed like overkill to me, but that was his job.

“All clear,” he said, coming out. “There’s a door between our rooms. Knock if you need me. If you go out to dinner…”

“We’ll tell you,” Lucas said.

“I’ll keep out of the way, sit at a corner table, whatever.”

“We’ll probably have a quiet night, order room service.”

“Hey, it’s all paid for, so go for it.” Troy caught Lucas’s look. “Yeah, I know, you don’t like using the old man’s money, but you’re his kid, right? If it was my dad…” He grinned. “Well, if it was my dad, I suppose he’d be offering me a lifetime supply of fire and brimstone, and personally, I’d prefer the cash, but that’s just me. Seriously, though, take advantage of it. Clean out the minibar, rack up the room-service bill, steal the bathrobes. Worst thing that can happen, you’ll piss off the old man and he won’t talk to you for a year.”

“Not the worst punishment I can imagine,” Lucas murmured.

“Exactly. So live it up. And call me if you need help with the minibar.”

I closed the door, cast a locking spell, and collapsed on the couch.

“I’m sorry,” Lucas said. “I know that was difficult for you, turning them down.”

“Let’s just—let’s not think about it. Not now. Maybe in the morning…Will we have time to stop by the hospital in the morning? See how she’s doing?”

“We’ll make time.”