"You can actually see that?"
"Not see it. Feel it, man. I'm psychic."
"So you keep telling me."
"Despite this blank aspect, I'm seeing that she got serious psychic abilities, too, and add in the werewolf hair necklace, and bang… I've got a connection. I'm thinking me and her are soul mates and her soul is calling out to mine. I always thought I'd hook up with another lycanthrope, but I'm willing to experiment extensively to find the right woman as my lifelong mate."
"Focus, Barkley. Please."
"She's in Vegas, and she's using her psychic ability to win at the tables. A woman with questionable morals. I'm falling in love more by the minute."
"Vegas," Quinn repeated, and Janie's eyes snapped open.
"Yeah. Listen, me and Lenny are heading out for dinner, and then we're going to hit a strip club. Except for the fact that he was willing to kill me at Janie's order, the guy is actually really cool. He's read me some of his poetry. It's… it's interesting. He's got a serious thing for Janie, though, just to let you know."
"Why would I care about that?"
"Oh, no reason. Just the fact that she's blond, gorgeous, and previously gaga for your sorry ass."
"Previouslyis the important word in that sentence. And besides, how do you even know that?"
"Haven't you been listening to anything I've said? I'mpsychic ."
Quinn rolled his eyes. "So now what?"
"We can hook up tomorrow."
"And do what?"
"And go find the hot redhead in Vegas, of course. Duh. Anyhow, see you tomorrow."
He hung up.
Quinn let out a long breath.
"Why did you say Vegas?" Janie asked.
"It's not too far away, and Wayne Newton puts on a great show."
"That's where the Boss told me to meet him to hand over the Eye."
Quinn nodded. That would make sense. Obviously this rat bastard knew where Angela was and was keeping that information away from her until she came through with the goods. He wanted to come right out and tell her what he knew—such as it was. But something stopped him.
No, not yet.
"He can't have it," he said evenly.
She stared at him. "Anyone ever call you a heartless bastard?"
"Many times."
"Why the hell do you want it? What was Malcolm saying about it granting a wish? What would your wish be?"
He licked his lips. "To be human again."
She blinked. "That's it?"
He nodded.
"You could wish for anything—money, power, a bevy of Playboy bunnies. And all you want is to be human again?"
"Hold on. Can you be more specific about the Playboy bunnies? Maybe I haven't given this enough thought."
She shook her head. "You really hate being a vampire that much?"
"More."
"See, to me, vamps have it pretty good, all things considered. The fact that you'll stay young and handsome forever isn't a total bonus for you?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm handsome?"
She rolled her eyes. "Sorry, that's enough ego stroking for one day."
"I used to be sort of cute, I think. But I've got the whole lack-of-reflection deal going on. A guy can forget. Handsome. Hmm."
"I should keep my mouth shut."
"Never had a problem with the ladies."
"Oh, lord. Kill me now. Okay, so we both want to find the Eye. The question is, how does either of us get it if we don't know where Malcolm is?"
He hesitated. "I know where he is. Or at least, where he's going to be."
"How do you know?"
"He told me."
She got slowly to her feet while bracing herself against the wall. "Fine. Let's go."
"Together?"
"You may have the keys, but I have the gun." She checked her holster to make sure.
Damn. He should have taken more than just her cell phone away.Opportunity knocked, but nobody was home.
She didn't look so good.