Luckily, he didn’t have to. This time it was not just Cooper and Freeman in the room. She had finally deemed it prudent to include a lawyer, and Cooper was flanked by Cola and Park.

While Cola and the lawyer argued over a deal, Cooper studied Freeman. She’d lost that frenetic, childlike quality he’d noticed when they first met back on the side of the road in Cape Breton, a gunshot still echoing in the air. There was a lazy sort of drift in her movements now, as if floating in water only she could feel. Was it being free of her emotionally manipulative husband that had settled like a quiet cowl over her? Or had her time in custody already broken in to her mind and warped the very core of her, as imprisonment so often did?

“That depends on what your client gives us,” Cola was saying.

Freeman spoke up for the first time. “Perhaps it would be better if we start with what you’ve found out for yourselves. Then we’ll both have a clearer idea of how we can help each other. I assume since you’re here, the killings have begun.”

Park and Cola were very still, but Cooper shifted in his seat, and Freeman’s eyes zeroed in on him. “And you’ve made the connection to the legend of the Moon. Oh my, you have been busy.”

“How do you know about that?” Cola asked sharply.

“After the terrible events at Cape Breton, I took it upon myself to learn everything I could about your world. If you really want to get to know a culture, you study the stories they tell each other. Isn’t that right, Mr. Park? I read your work, by the way. Very interesting. It really is too bad you can’t publish anything on the legends of your own kind, though I suppose you haven’t been doing much writing at all with your new priorities.”

Park shrugged. “We’re really a much more oral species anyway. But I’m flattered you took the time.”

“Oh, I had to,” Freeman insisted earnestly. “I was terribly curious about you two. Especially you, Mr. Dayton. The only human running with wolves, so readily accepted into their most elite circles. Why is that?”

“I’m great fun at parties,” Cooper said flatly. “What does this have to do with our case?”

“While I was researching you, your past, your life now”—her eyes flicked toward Park—”it didn’t take me long to realize I wasn’t the only one looking. Someone else has taken a deep interest in your work.”

“Yes, my secret admirer,” Cooper said. “You mentioned that last time. I was sort of hoping for more.”

The lawyer spoke up. “My client has already made it clear that we’re interested in a deal. If you’re looking for any more—”