Sure, she said. Jasper loves to update retro games. And if it gives him a chance to roll around with girls slathered in oil, you know hes gonna take it. You should check the itinerary. Its posted everywhere. Theres all kinds of stuff coming up. I think hes got Strip Trivial Pursuit happening on Thursday.

I dont really know Jasper, Jessie said. I got the invite here from a friend of a friend. Is he cool? Im not sure Id be into playing any of that stuff with a fifty-something-year-old guy. It seems a little sketchy.

Hes no more pervy than your average middle-aged dude, the blonder one said. But you dont really seem like the type whod be into all of that under any circumstances.

Jessie pretended not to get the dig. She wanted to press harder on what they thought of Otis but feared it would come across as snooping, so she let it drop.

Ill admit thats not how I usually spend my Thursday nights, Jessie said. But I didnt come all the way from New York just to sit around for a week. I guess Im game.

Thats the spirit, semi-blonde said.

Hey, speaking of game, Jessie said, finally sensing they were comfortable enough with her to ask some real questions. I heard I missed out on seeing some big names on Saturday. Is it true that both Percy Avalon and Rance Jensen were here?

Girl, replied super-blonde, if you think those are big names, youre in for a shock. Those are just the guys who deign to mingle with the masses. Jasper keeps the really big names protected from the hordes in the West House, where we cant get at them.

Like who? Jessie asked conspiratorially.

Ever heard of Senator Greg Johnson? Or Paul Gilliard, the Oscar-winning actor? Or Omar?

Whos that? Jessie asked.

Some Middle Eastern sultan or something. I cant pronounce his whole name so I just call him Omar.

All those people were at the party on Saturday? Jessie asked, trying to commit the names to memory.

Super-blondes gossipy demeanor suddenly changed, as if shed been busted in a lie.

Im not actually sure if any of them were here on Saturday. I didnt personally see them. Sometimes they hole up in the personal wing, away from us little people. But those guys are around all the time.

Jessie tried to hide her disappointment. The men she mentioned being around all the time at these parties werent likely to sway Decker enough to agree to a full-court press on investigating their backgrounds. Semi-blonde, apparently sensing that Jessie felt cheated, leaned in.

You were right, though. Those other guys were here that night. I saw Percy and I can personally vouch for Rances attendance.

What do you mean? Jessie asked.

A lady never tells, semi-blonde said, leaning back on her chaise.

Yeah, but youre not a lady, super-blonde snapped before turning to Jessie. What she means is that she nailed the guy.