I had a feeling I had a lot to learn about ghouls. At least, centuries-old ghouls with ironclad control.

Stefan’s pupils waxed until they were glittering black moons surrounded by a thin rim of pale blue, then shrank to pinpoints. He fixed the young woman who’d first confronted him with that icy, blind-looking gaze. “You are very much mistaken as to my nature, madam. Once upon a time, my faith rivaled your own. But there are tales of heaven and hell that your priests will not tell you, and mine is such a one.”

She gaped at him.

With one pale finger, he pushed aside the gold cross she still held outthrust in his direction. “May I pass?” he inquired. “Or would you prefer that I drain away a measure of this unhealthy terror and spite of the unknown that bedevils you?” His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply and flicked his lower lip with the tip of his tongue. “It would be a pleasure to provide such a service.”

The young woman made an “Eeep!” sound and stepped aside rapidly, the other protestors tripping over one another in their haste to follow.

“Thank you.” Stefan put on his wraparound sunglasses. A handful of tourists reached for their cameras and phones.

“East Pemkowet!” Cody called after him. “We’ll meet you on the other side of the bridge.”

The Harley roared to life in answer.

Once he was behind the wheel of the patrol car, Cody permitted himself a brief, satisfied grin. “You know, for that I could almost bring myself to like the guy.”

“Me, too.”

He glanced at me. “Seems like you like him well enough already, Pixy Stix. You let him taste you?”

I slouched in the shotgun seat. “It was at the funeral yesterday. I was about to lose it. So what’s this idea of yours?”

Cody took a left at downtown Pemkowet’s only stoplight, which, by the way, is in operation only during tourist season. There’s actually a ceremony involved. “I’m thinking maybe Lord Muckety-Muck can send someone to check out Dunham’s house without spooking him. At least he’s got an in.”

I straightened. “Not bad. You trust him?”

“No,” he said. “But I’ve been thinking. You’re right: I don’t think he’s working with Dunham. From what I’ve seen looking for Ray D, there’s still a power struggle going on under the surface in ghoul-world, and for better or worse, Ludovic’s thrown his lot in with our side in this investigation. It’s worth a try. We can always follow up on our own.”

“Okay.” I stole a look at him. “So, um . . . on a scale of one to ten, how mad at me are you?”