“He doesn’t even call you himself, but has his wife do it, sending a text message so it sounds as if they’re being considerate, not wanting to disturb you. Just watch. When you call, Paige will invite us out to breakfast, where Lucas will pounce, catch you off guard and talk you into staying to help him.”

“And why shouldn’t he? His brothers are dead, Karl. He’ll do what it takes to find whoever is responsible. I know I would.”

“Because you’re close to your brothers. If Lucas was the dead one, Hector and William sure as hell wouldn’t go looking for his killer. Unless it was to thank him.”

“If Lucas thinks the gang is involved, then he needs my help and I’m going to give it. While he’d appreciate your nose, I can convince him you’re otherwise engaged. So catch that plane to Philly, check the condos, take the keys for my place if you want to crash there…”

His look was enough.

“One day, Karl. Give me that, and if you want to help, I’d love that.”

“Twenty-four hours. There’s a flight leaving at ten tomorrow, and I’m buying tickets.”

In other words, he’d expected this, and was just registering his protest.

“Thank you, Karl.”

“Credits. I’m stockpiling ’em.”

I OPENED PAIGE’S second message and braced for the photo. A young Hispanic man with shaggy hair and a tiny scar through his eyebrow seemed to sleep peacefully on a carpet. Rodriguez.

Jaz had said Rodriguez lived with his older sister in Miami, the one who’d called with the college news. Rodriguez was a half-demon, so his family didn’t know about his supernatural life. Presumably his death was being handled by the Cabal. How could they let his sister know of his death, but deny her details or access to his body? Would they find a way…or just let him disappear?

When I called Paige, she sounded so exhausted I was sure she hadn’t gotten to bed. Instead of her inviting me to breakfast, I offered to bring her one. But she brushed me off with thanks.

I aimed a glower at Karl, who could overhear Paige and had the grace to look mildly chagrined.

I told Paige who her victim was, and that I could only give a surname and sketchy bio.

“The tech guy, huh?” she murmured. “That makes sense. He had a lot of gear on him.”

“Did the Cabal shoot him?” I tried to keep the accusation out of my voice. Wasn’t sure I succeeded.

“I don’t think so. We caught him in an alley and we were just about to get information from him. Obviously someone didn’t want to take that chance.”

“Someone from the gang?”

“We presume so.”

I doubted it. Guy would trust Rodriguez to keep his mouth shut at least long enough for a rescue attempt.