“His chin and nose...his chin almost had a point. And his nose was larger...or longer. He...he almost had the look of a satyr or something like that,” Greta said. “But he wasn’t threatening to me. He was kind. He promised I would be safe.”

“How many times did you see him?”

“Just that once. Oh, and he gave me cards to give out, cards with the number six written on them. You know, just playing cards, but all with the number six.”

“And did you give them all out?” Katie asked softly.

“Yes! I did within the next hour!” Greta said. She frowned suddenly. “I—I want to help. That’s why I came in. I don’t want people to die. I don’t want the city to be in a cloud of blood. I saw this man only once, and as I told you, he’s very real and... I made sure to do what he asked of me. Getting the warning out, telling people about the number six, getting those cards out. I know I’ll be safe, but Detective, now it’s up to you. Please, tell people to honor the number six. And to listen and obey when someone comes, telling them to obey the laws of six, the law of the immortal demon. It’s up to you!”

“Greta, what was he wearing?” Dan asked.

“A cotton shirt...trousers. Not jeans, trousers. He was nice-looking, um...smooth.”

“Did he wear boots, shoes? Did he wear gloves?”

“Shoes, not boots, not sneakers. Leather dress shoes. And no gloves. He would have looked silly wearing gloves, I think.” She shook her head. “He wasn’t silly. There was nothing silly about him. Everything about him was...real. You must warn people. The demon will only hurt those who don’t know that he must be honored. And honor our great music, too. Jazz must be played. I don’t think he cares for modern music. There is a lot of screeching and that kind of thing. Jazz is true music. I think... I can’t remember everything that was said! Especially when I was staring into the ball. It was watching something amazing!”

Ryder nodded politely. “Greta, I’d like you to see a friend of mine for a bit of a conversation.”

“Oh?” Greta asked.

“Come with me,” Ryder said gently. He glanced at Dan and Katie, a nod that indicated he’d be right back.

“I think Benny may have gotten one of those cards,” Katie told Dan when the two had left Ryder’s office.

“This probably is the same woman who approached him. Would he have kept the card?” Dan asked her.