Theo crossed his strong arms. “And what did you expect to find?”
“Not that my clients’ instructions are any of your business,” Jonathan said, “but I wasn’t given specifics. I was only asked to take a look.”
Silence fell as we waited for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, I sent a little magical persuasion his way. Just a touch of vampire glamour to make the confession easier.
His expression didn’t change. “I like you, Elisa, but glamour won’t have me break my promises.”
Beside me, Connor shifted. I wasn’t sure if it was the magic or theI like youthat had him moving closer.
“How about an arrest for obstruction of justice?” Theo asked mildly.
“For having clients?” Jonathan said, and lifted a shoulder carelessly. “I suppose you could try to make that stick.” But his gaze darted around the park, searching. Seeking.
“Jonathan,” I said firmly. “A shifter is dead. He wasn’t the first and may not be the last. We need whatever information you’ve got.”
That got his attention, as his gaze snapped to mine, eyes narrowing. “What do you mean he wasn’t the first?”
“Information for information,” I said. “Quid pro quo. Even ifwe can’t take you in, withholding information will make you an enemy of the Pack. I’m betting your clients wouldn’t like that at all.”
He lifted his gaze to the dark sky, as if contemplating or irritated. Likely both. But when he sighed, I knew he’d relented.
“I have very little information,” he said. “Only that they’re aware magic was used—dark magic. They felt it along the lines.”
“The ley lines?” I asked. The lines of magic and power ran beneath the world; Chicago was a crossing point for several, making it a city of power and consequence.
He nodded.
“Your clients are sorcerers?”
“I’m not obliged to provide that information, and won’t. How many more are dead?”
“This is the second,” Theo said. “The first was a human.”
“A human,” Black repeated, as he considered it. “That explains why they weren’t aware of it.”
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Are people being killed to invoke some kind of magic? Are they sacrifices?”
“I don’t know,” he said, and looked earnest. But I already knew he could lie. “I’ve told you what I can,” he said, and looked beyond Theo, finally saw the clothes on the ground. “And I’m guessing you aren’t going to let me take that.”
“We are not,” Theo said pleasantly. “But you’re welcome to report that to your clients. They know how to reach us.”
We tried a few more questions, but Jonathan provided nothing else. He left unsatisfied. He didn’t say as much, but it was clear in the hard set of his shoulders.
“He’s in a mood,” I said, and felt Connor’s gaze on me.
“What do you know about his moods?”
“Fair question, and very little. But he’s been very collegial when we’ve talked.” I glanced at Theo. “Same when he’s come to the office?”
“Same,” Theo added. “And always a smile for Petra.”
“Unrepentant flirt,” I agreed. “At least usually. So what’s he gotten himself into?”
Theo’s screen buzzed, giving us a respite from wrangling with that question. Given the possibility we weren’t the only eyes on the park, we climbed into Theo’s nearby vehicle when Petra offered an update.
I took the front, Connor the back. And by some technological miracle, Theo shifted Petra’s image from his screen to the interior windshield, as if we were all squeezed into the car together.
“It’s the Great and Powerful Oz,” Theo said musically.
