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neighborhoods and power zones clearly marked, every alley explored, every place of interest indicated. I knew at least a half a dozen people who’d give their left nut for a chance to photocopy the bloody things.
“He must have balls,” I said.
“He did look male.”
“Description?”
“Very fast.”
“That’s it? That’s all you got?”
“Very good shot.”
I sighed. “Who did he shoot?”
“Jim.”
Oh shit. “Is he okay?”
“He was shot four times in less than two seconds. He isn’t very happy about it. A bit tender in places.
But generally he’ll be okay.”
My brain put the pieces together. “After our mark went down, Jim got a call from the survey team. The crossbowman tailed Jim, jumped him, incapacitated the survey team, and stole the maps.”
Derek’s face radiated all the joy of a man biting into a lime.
One hell of a trick, tailing my former partner. “Just out of curiosity, how many people are in a survey team?”
“Four.”
Five with Jim. “And you let him get away?”
“He just disappeared.”
“I guess the shapeshifters’ sense of smell isn’t what it used to be.”
“No, Kate, you don’t understand. He vanished. He was there one moment and then he was gone.”
I couldn’t resist. “Like a ninja. In a puff of smoke.”
“Yes.”
“So you want me to track down a supernaturally fast sniper who can disappear into thin air, retrieve your maps, and do it so nobody finds out what I’m doing or why?”
“Exactly.”