I’d been wrong before—his face was capable of cracking a smile, but man, it was a scary thing to behold. “Shame. We could have had an interesting partnership.”

“Getting back to the business at hand,” Jackson said, his voice holding an edge that expressed amusement rather than annoyance. “I gather you’re still having us tailed.”

“No need to when the rats are playing that particular game. They certainly don’t miss much of what is going on in this city.”

“Except when it comes to Rinaldo,” I said. “Did you know he has a source in PIT itself? And that he might actually be two people rather than one?”

“The rats told us the latter. And I suspect it’s not so much a source at PIT as someone he’s able to read from some distance.”

Which is probably why the inversion devices were taken from Rosen Pharmaceuticals, Jackson said. Despite their denials of a leak, maybe they suspect one of their people is unwittingly passing on information.

Possible. To Parella, I added, “How did you know we were here if you’re not tailing us? The rats again?”

“Yes. The fact you were in the house so long had them suspecting something might have been found.”

“But why would they then contact you?”

“We have an agreement in place regarding any virus research they might acquire. Because you’re a major part of the current search for said research, we’re also regularly informed of your whereabouts.”

“So why didn’t they come here and confront us? Why did you?”

The rather scary smile flashed again. “I always make a point of seeing those I suspect might be playing me for a fool, as I believe in giving everyone a chance before I step in and kill them.”

How very civilized of him. Jackson’s mental tones were dry. But I’m betting there’re hundreds—if not thousands—of corpses rotting in the ground who’d dispute that statement.

“So this,” I said, trying to stop my lips twitching in amusement, “is our first—and only—warning?”

“Yes. Give me information as you find it, or we will come after you whenever we suspect you have something. And if innocents get hurt in the process”—he shrugged—“so be it.”

“Warning heeded,” Jackson said. “Just don’t expect goddamn miracles, because we’ve done nothing but chase dead ends these last few days.”

“And,” I added, giving Parella my sweetest smile, “you’d better make damn sure that anyone you send after me is very aware of the consequences that come with attacking me. As we’ve already said, we’re seriously sick of being targets, and we will burn first and ask questions later from here on in.”

“I suspect PIT will not approve of such action,” Parella said, amusement cracking his features again. “But to echo your words, warning heeded. Have a good night.”