Earl’s door was blocked by the gigantic figure of Jason Lacoco, one of the only people present taller than me. He was simply standing there, thick arms folded across his chest, watching people with his one good eye. A woman approached and asked Lacoco something. He pulled out a tiny notebook, looked at it, confirmed she was on the list, stepped out of the way to let her pass, then went back to standing and glaring. Having been a bouncer myself, I recognized the stance. Lacoco was on guard duty.

I hadn’t spoken with Lacoco since the buffet fight. The man was a convicted murderer and a thug. I had no idea what Earl Harbinger had seen in him, but I had to trust my boss’s instincts. Earl did have an eye for talent, me, despite my early mistakes, being a perfect example. I wasn’t looking forward to talking to Lacoco, especially since I was on such a roll with the whole interpersonal communication thing tonight, but I needed to report.

“Jason,” I said to the giant. His misshapen head swiveled toward me. His shoulders were so big he didn’t seem to have a neck. His lips parted, showing his teeth, but he stopped whatever words he’d been about to say. This man hated me.

He exhaled. “Harbinger’s expecting you.”

“Okay…I’ve been wanting to talk…”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

“Listen, Lacoco. We’re both Hunters. We’re on the same side. What happened before—”

He stepped out of the way and didn’t say another word.

Well, at least we hadn’t hit each other. By tonight’s standards I’d call that a win. From the look in his real eye, I could tell that the two of us weren’t done yet. I went inside.

Earl’s room was just as packed as some of the other rooms that were holding parties, but this was no party. Apparently this had become the official command center for all the Hunters Earl had deemed “all right.” Julie was in front, doing what she did best, coordinating, leading, and picking brains. Most of the MHI team leaders were present, as were several men and women that I recognized as management from some of the other companies. Lindemann was there, as was the large Pole from White Eagle, the woman from South Korea whose name I hadn’t gotten yet was off to one side speaking to the head of the Japanese contingent. There were at least twenty people crammed into the suite. A few of the smaller American companies were represented, but I didn’t see anybody from Paranormal Tactical. Good thing, because I’d simply hate to violate my restraining order.