Dr. Anders had lost all of her ugliness. Now she looked simply tired. “I can’t do anything tonight,” she said, glancing apologetically at Nick. “But let me give you my address.” She reached for a pen, scribbling across the folded evaluation of me and my familiar. “You can leave the book with the gateman, and I’ll get to it this weekend.”

“Why not tonight?” I asked as I took the paper.

“I’m busy tonight. I’ll be giving a presentation tomorrow, and I have to prepare an updated success/failure statement.” She flushed, which turned her years younger.

“Who for?” I asked, the cold feeling returning to the pit of my stomach.

“Mr. Kalamack.”

My eyes closed in a strength-gathering blink. “Dr. Anders?” I said, hearing Nick shift from foot to foot beside me. “Trent Kalamack is the one killing the ley line witches.”

The woman flashed back to her usual mien of scorn. “Don’t be foolish, Ms. Morgan. Mr. Kalamack is no more a murderer than I am.”

“Call me Rachel,” I said, thinking we ought to be on a first-name basis. “And Kalamack is the witch hunter. I’ve seen the reports. He talked to every one of the victims within a month before their death.”

Dr. Anders opened a lower drawer and pulled out a tasteful black purse. “I talked with him last spring at graduation and I’m still alive. He’s interested in discussing my research. If I can capture his attention, he will fund me and I can do what I really want. I’ve been working six years to put this together, and I’m not going to lose my chance to catch a benefactor because of some fool coincidence.”

I shifted to the edge of my chair, wondering how I could go from hating her to being worried so quickly. “Dr. Anders, please,” I said, glancing up at Nick. “I know you think I’m a scatterbrained flop. But don’t do this. I’ve seen the reports on the people he’s killed. Every one of them died in terror. And Trent talked to all of them.”

“Ah, Rachel?” Nick interrupted. “You don’t know that for sure.”

I spun to him. “You aren’t helping!”

Dr. Anders stood with her purse. “Get me the book. I’ll look at it this weekend.”

“No!” I protested, seeing her tying up the ends of our conversation. “He’ll kill you with no more thought than swatting a fly.” My jaw gritted as she gestured to the door. “Let me come with you, then,” I said as I stood up. “I’ve done escort service for humans into the Hollows. I know how to stay quiet and watch your back.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “I am a doctor of ley line magic. You think you can protect me better than I can protect myself?”

I took a breath to protest, then let it out. “You’re right,” I said, thinking it would be easier to follow her without her knowing. “Could you at least tell me when you’re meeting with him? I’d feel better if I could give you a call when you’re supposed to be home.”