Cassie took a deep breath. “This isn’t going to help. It’ll wake you up, more likely. It isn’t for the paper, either. Or at least, not yet. I need a little friendship, and there may be something by and by. What do you know about Dr. Gideon Chase?”

Eighteen blocks away, Sharon made a small sound.

“I’m not just curious. It may be—no, it definitely is important. I don’t know a lot, and I’m not sure about some of the things I think I know.”

“Man of mystery . . .” Sharon paused. “Good-looking, too, if you like the type.”

“Tell me something I don’t know, okay?”

“How should I know what you don’t know? Mid-thirties at a guess. They say he’s some kind of wizard. Not like in kidvid, but somebody who can do stuff other people can’t even begin to do.”

Thinking of her alarm system, Cassie said, “I’m one of them. I say that, too. I had a little experience with him tonight. What else?”

“Tell me!”

“Later maybe, but not now.” Cassie shook her head. “Does that sound like I’m shaking my head?”

“Definitely. I can hear the rattle.”

“Great. Because I am. I need info. I’ll give you some if I ever understand this.” Cassie paused, whitened white teeth gnawing at her lower lip. “Listen up, Sharon. This is strictly confidential.”

“Got it.”

“He wants me to go in on something with him. Big, big money, or that’s what it sounds like. I don’t know which way to jump.”

“Illegal?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. He says he needs me. Needs my help. He’ll pay big for it, and . . .”

“Cassie?”

“I was just thinking. I may do it, Sharon. I just might. I’d have to know a lot more before I’d tell him to get lost. If I do, I mean. I guess I’d rather not have to. You said he was a wizard.”

“Yeah. What I meant was he’s somebody that people and companies with lots and lots of money go to when they’ve got something bad they absolutely can’t handle themselves. I’ve talked to a couple of them. They both said he costs the world, but he delivers the goods.”