“A what?”

“It is an iron bar with a Latin inscription. Give it to me and I will leave.”

“Wait . . . That almost sounds like you’re asking nicely.” Pitt began to laugh. “Holy shit. I didn’t think this day would ever come. What’s the magic word?”

Franks cracked his knuckles. The exterior walls weren’t that thick.

“Easy there, big guy. Are you innocent?”

“No.”

“Okay, stupid question. Let me rephrase that. Did you go nuts and blow up MCB headquarters?”

Pitt was an incorrigible smartass with deep-seated psychological issues against authority figures, but he was one of the only mortals Franks had some tiny measure of respect for. They had killed a god together. Pitt could handle some of the truth. “Stricken framed me.”

“He needed you gone so he could launch Project Nemesis.” Once again, the Hunter was smarter than he looked. Franks’ reaction must have been visible on the camera. “Interdepartmental squabbling of you government types isn’t my problem, but I had a little conversation with Stricken in Las Vegas. The dude’s a psycho.”

“Yes.”

“So Stricken’s a ruthless murderer with the full power of the federal government backing him, and you expect me to let the one guy he wants dead more than anything into my house?”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you go ask your buddy Myers for help?”

“Stricken had him killed.”

“Oh . . .” The light on the intercom went off for several seconds. When it came back on, Pitt was quieter. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

There was no need to be sorry. Myers had died trying to fulfill a mission. That was far more than most mortals ever achieved. “Stricken will murder anyone who helps me.”

“No wonder you usually just boss people around. You suck at asking nicely, Franks.”

Perhaps he should have just used his usual straightforward method. People made everything so complicated. This was a perfect example of why Franks was forced to have a partner capable of dealing with foolishness. Myers had always told him that the best way to get something was to make them an offer they couldn’t refuse, only Franks suspected he was quoting a movie because he always spoke in an odd voice when he said that. Perhaps Myers was right, and he did have something MHI could not refuse. Pitt was a warrior, and warriors had loyalty to each other.

“I offer a trade. You had Hunters MIA in Las Vegas. I can help you find them.”

“What?” That had taken Pitt by surprise. Apparently Franks had guessed correctly. “Are VanZant and Lococo still alive?”

“Doubtful. But help me and you can go look for yourself and be sure.”

There was a much longer pause this time. Pitt was probably speaking with his wife. Even his improved hearing could not pick them up through the thick walls. Franks waited a minute, and then pounded on the door again.