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“No. A few black vehicles have driven by, those inside peering in our direction, and there was a knife fight earlier in the parking lot, but nothing that threatens our business or persons has happened yet today.”

“Yet today? Are you expecting a mugging or murder tonight?”

“Nighttime is always more dangerous,” Minato said grimly.

I wished I could retract my sarcasm. With their store on a busy intersection, those two had likely witnessed the deterioration of the neighborhood firsthand. I felt guilty that I wasn’t, even now, doing something to help.

“You may also find it increasingly so,” he added. “We heard from a man who purchased beer and is associated with the dubious criminal element that you are being targeted.”

“Yeah, the motorcycle thugs threatened me. It’s okay.”

Minato hesitated. “You are not concerned? Because of your… paranormal powers?”

“I’m notunconcerned. I’m just…” I didn’t know how to explain that I was too busy to spend time worrying about those guys. Further, I’d battled werewolves and supernaturally powerful thugs shooting silver bullets. Purely human enemies didn’t concern me as much. “I’ve been taking sword-fighting lessons,” I offered as an explanation.

“Is that necessary? When you have a powerful… alter ego?”

A flashlight beam slashed through the woods. The police were wandering around out there.

“Sometimes, it’s inconvenient for one’s alter ego to come out,” I said. “Trust me.”

“Had I that power, I would bring it out always.” Minato sounded wistful.

“Even when shoppers are browsing in the beer aisle?”

“Hm, perhaps not at work.”

“Exactly.”

“Is there any chance you are cogitating on a solution for our mutual problem?” There was that wistful tone again.

“It’s a priority. Trust me.”

Right after dealing with Radomir and Abrams and getting Duncan away from their clutches.

“Thank you,” Minato said earnestly. “You are our only hope. I’ve mentioned you to others, and, if you change your mind about accepting financial compensation, many in our community are willing to chip in.”

“That’s not necessary.” I said goodbye and hung up.

Jasmine arched her eyebrows.

“I miss being nothing more than a mom and a property manager.” I thought about calling Austin to see if he’d had his first snowboarding lesson yet and was having fun, but would he want to hear from his mother while hanging out with a bunch of his friends? Probably not.

“Sounds boring.”

“You say that because you don’t have kids. They keep things interesting.” For that matter, my tenants did too.

“My mom said Aurora and I were pains in the ass growing up.”

“But interesting, I’m sure. Werewolves are by default.”

The flashlight beam in the woods had disappeared from view. Hoping the police were giving up and returning to their car, I headed back toward my apartment. I stopped ten feet from reaching it. The door was ajar.

“Did you leave that open?” I asked Jasmine.

“No. I didn’t know how long we would be gone, so I turned off the lights and closed the door.”

“Hell.” I ran for the entrance, thinking of the magical sword, the wolf case, and other valuable things inside—like my espresso maker, damn it.