ed pistol on the ground to her face. They were sharp, analytical, and completely devoid of panic. For a flicker of a second, she saw a universe

ne of assessment. Threat level: unknown. Soul energy sign

d controlled. He sounded less like he'd stumbled upon a supernat

ts no fear, she thought. Either he is exception

ess," she said, her tone

road. "The LAPD will get an automated crash report in the next fi

man, but she couldn't erase a digital signal. The

pulled out a silk pocket square. He offer

bric was heavy, impossibly soft, and carried the faint, clean sce

aled a number. "It's me. Mulholland, third bend past Laur

e quiet command of a man

t her. "Get in my car. This pl

onspicuous. This man, this mortal, offered a tempor

e window dissolved into a watery blur. The interior was warm, dry, an

He wore a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. In the dim glow of

o her. His movements were efficient, graceful. On his wrist, a Pat

f the rain. A team of men in dark uniforms moved with silent, practiced efficiency. They winched the Porsche ont

g with a higher clearance. This mort

umble. He pulled away from the curb, leavin

e?" he asked, bre

ose body she wore. "Afton Place. In Hollywo

ptible motion. The address clearly didn't

Alicia was busy sorting through the original Alicia's l

ts into this sort of trouble," he said, his vo

of person who helps strangers dispose of bodies." S

hing go to waste." His gaze flickered ove

ment building. The contrast with the Bentl

oor, ready to step

suddenly, his voice stopping

-