Jicaque. Pronounced, ‘Zhi-kar-key’ – or should that be ‘Holy Grail’? He was the fabled medicine man with a tongue-twister name who might – might – be able to reverse Tom’s lupine condition. From Kate’s researches into lycanthropy, Jicaque seemed to be the only chance they had. Unfortunately he was also about as easy to find as smoke in fog.

‘Too bad your on-line contact couldn’t be a little more precise as to where Jicaque’s staying,’ Tom remarked.

‘He’s working on that,’ Kate replied.

‘Is he? Anyone could’ve sent that e-mail.’ Tom smoothed a clammy hand through his short dark hair, cold sweat spiking it up. ‘We’ve been tricked that way before. The ’wolves could’ve hacked into his account. Or hacked into him, forced him to spill those passwords you agreed …’

‘You know, Tom, you’re right,’ Kate said wearily. This was an old argument. ‘We don’t know we can trust the guy who gave me the info, he’s just a name in a chatroom. And say we do manage to find Jicaque – we don’t know that we can trust him either. But since it’s the only lead we’ve got …’

Tom threw up his hands. ‘Yeah, yeah. You’re right, I know.’ His insides felt cramped and jumpy. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘That’s got to be the lamest apology I ever heard.’ Kate gave him a faint smile, then nodded toward the moon. ‘But I guess it is your time of the month, huh?’

Tom shot her a dark look. ‘You don’t want to make jokes like that when I’m feeling like this.’ But Kate was grinning at him, and he found himself smiling back. ‘Come on, sick girl. Found any hostels?’

‘I have a better idea,’ she told him. ‘Scratch that: I have a cheaper idea.’

‘Which is?’

‘We’re right by Central Park. We could camp out there for the night.’

‘Just you, me and fifty muggers. Nice idea.’

Kate shrugged. ‘We could bed down in some bushes. It’s only a few hours till dawn. Then we can get up and start the search.’

‘If we haven’t frozen to death first,’ grumbled Tom.

‘Well, let’s hear your great idea.’

Tom sighed, and swallowed hard. ‘I … I guess if we lay close together it might not be so cold.’

Kate’s green eyes were cool and enquiring as she looked him over. ‘Tom Anderson, is this some kind of sneaky come-on?’

‘Get over yourself!’ Tom protested, and turned away so she wouldn’t see him blushing.

g

It was weird to see the dark, hunching shadows of so many trees suddenly rise from the centre of the city. The park was quiet and gloomy as they crossed its borders and headed inside.