"Yeah." I finished a large bite of syrupy pancake goodness. "Black magic is tied in pretty closely with a lot of negative emotions—especially fear. So if you do something that scares a whole lot of people, you get an environment that is better for black magic. This stunt is going to cause havoc. Make a lot of people worry. It will help with the heirs' major mojo tonight."

"You're sure it's tonight?"

I nodded. "Pretty much. It's Halloween. The barriers between the mortal world and the spirit world are at their weakest. They'll be able to call up the most spirits to devour tonight. All the acts of black magic they've been working around town were also part of that preparation. Creating spiritual turbulence. Making it easier to use larger and larger amounts of black magic."

Thomas ate several bites while I listened. Then he said, "How are you going to contact the Council with the phones out?"

"Alternative channels," I said. "I'll call up a messenger."

"Meanwhile," Thomas said, his voice a little bitter, "I will stay here and do… nothing."

"No, you won't," I said. "Because you're going to be figuring out where they can call up the most old spirits. Not only that, but I'm leaving you a copy of Bony Tony's code numbers. Figure out what they mean."

He toyed with a bit of pancake. "Old spirits would come from a graveyard, right?"

"Probably," I said. "But sometimes they can get attached to possessions instead of a specific location. See what you can find out about Native American burial grounds or ruins. That's the right age bracket for what the heirs want."

"Okay," Thomas said without much confidence. "And you want me to figure out the numbers, too."

"With Butters," I said. "He can help you on both counts. He's damned smart."

"Assuming he wants to help," Thomas said. "He might want to cash in his chips and get out of this game while he's still alive."

"If he does, then you'll be on your own," I said. "But I don't think he will."

Just then the kitchen door opened and Butters came in with a panting Mouse. The big dog padded over to me and nudged my hand with his nose until I scratched him in his favorite spot, just behind one notched ear.

"Don't think who will what?" Butters asked. "Oh, hey, pancakes. Are there any for me?"

"Counter," Thomas said.

"Cool."

"Butters," I said. "Look, I think you're going to be all right on your own now. If you want me to, I'll take you home after breakfast."

He peered owlishly at me and said, "Of course I want to go home. The Oktoberfest polka-off is tonight."

Thomas arched an eyebrow at me.

Butters looked back and forth between us and said, "Do you need me to do something?"