‘I’ve tried it out on a number of willing subjects,’ she said. ‘The hospital’s linked with a program run for homeless kids. Out on the streets, no place to go, they’re easy pickings for the ’wolves. A lot of them were turned against their will and hate what they’ve become. So I put out the word – Stacy Serum might just help them.’

‘And it really works?’

‘It must be effective. According to my ’wolf informants on the program, the number of turns on the street has gone way down.’

‘Down?’ Tom frowned. ‘But Ramone –Rico’s brother –was saying there are more ’wolves on the streets now than ever.’

‘Maybe it just seems that way to him,’ suggested Stacy. ‘I’m talking about the citywide picture. The evidence suggests there are fewer reports of fresh turnings and a greater number of newbloods coming back for more serum.’ She grinned at him. ‘Don’t you get it? The serum fixes the newbloods’ cravings without them having to go out and bite someone. And because fewer people are being bitten, the ’wolf population explosion has slowed right down. The results add up.’

‘OK,’ Tom said guardedly. ‘But if you can’t make the stuff here, how are you meeting all this demand?’

‘This is my starter pack for the latest brand of serum,’ Stacy explained. ‘It works like a vaccine. Just a few drops added to a beaker of blood plasma “infects” it, turns it into more Stacy Serum.’

‘And you have access to tons of plasma, ’cause this is a hospital,’ Tom reasoned.

Stacy grinned. ‘Neat, huh?’

‘And are there any side-effects?’

‘Nothing much has been reported, but I can’t be completely sure. It’s still work in progress, not perfected yet,’ she said a touch irritably. ‘But it’s working all right for now. It’s all we have, and it’s offering the newbloods hope. Hope enough to hang on until I can perfect a cure.’

‘But, Stacy – Kate saw Swagger take some of your serum and it didn’t exactly calm him down.’

‘Its actual effectiveness may vary in degree from case to case,’ Stacy said defensively. ‘I’m working on that. Perhaps that’s why he made sure the rest of the shipment got back to me,’ she suggested. ‘Perhaps he wants a serum that will work for him. He must realise he can’t go out hunting the whole time without winding up in trouble eventually.’

‘I guess,’ Tom said, unconvinced.

She sighed. ‘You hate the ’wolves, Tom, I can understand that. But isn’t it possible that’s colouring your judgement? Making you over-suspicious?’

Tom smiled, he didn’t want to push the point and risk pissing her off. ‘I want to believe you.’ He paused. ‘And I want to try some of the serum.’