"I would also suggest," Awan said, "that you try to find out who this skinrunner is. A name and an address. Might come in handy if you can't get the object."

"Any ideas how to find that out?" Deem asked.

"We track him," Winn said.

"Exactly," Awan agreed.

"What, from my house?" Deem asked. "Tonight?"

"We'll never be able to do it ourselves," Winn said. "He's too fast. But I know someone who can."

"A Caller?" Awan asked.

"Yes," Winn said. "How'd you know?"

"They're the only ones who can keep up with them," Awan said. "But hard to use. They always want something in return."

"What Caller?" Deem asked Winn.

"I know one named Sagan," Winn said. "Lives in an abandoned house south of Mesquite. He works with a loser named Brett Jones, robbing liquor stores. He's not the sharpest crayon in the box, so I'll bet I can get him to track the skinrunner."

"How?" Deem asked. "Do you have a plan?"

"Kinda," Winn said, smiling. "It's a half plan. Might work."

"I hate half plans," Deem said.

"His big thing is corpses," Winn said. "Every time Brett finds some road kill, he sc.r.a.pes it up and uses it to pay Sagan for his help. So, I'm thinking we offer Sagan something more juicy for his time. Real corpses."

"How are you going to do that?" Awan asked.

"Devil's Throat," Deem said, remembering the dozens of animated corpses they'd trapped inside.

"Exactly," Winn said. "I'll offer to tell him where to find them if he tracks the skinrunner and gets us his address."

Deem nodded her head slowly, in approval. "OK," she said. "Not a bad half plan."

"Sounds like we each have an a.s.signment," Awan said. "I'll get headed back to Indian Springs and I'll let you know if I find anything in my grandfather's journals."

"I'll contact Eliza," Deem said.

"And I'll go see Sagan," Winn said. "Want to come with?" he asked Deem.

"Sure," Deem said, "as long as we can stop somewhere on the way back. Won't take long."

"And then we'll set up to watch your roof tonight," Winn said, "and see if we can spot this f.u.c.ker."

Winn stopped his Jeep in front of a half dilapidated house several miles south of Mesquite. Deem stepped out of the pa.s.senger side and looked around. The nearest neighbor was a speck on the horizon.

The house appeared to have been abandoned for years. The front yard was overgrown with large sagebrush. Part of the roof had collapsed, and not a pane of gla.s.s remained in any of the windows.

"What a dump," Deem said.

"Perfect for a ghost, right?" Winn said.

Deem knew the ghost they'd be encountering wasn't just a ghost. Callers were more self-aware than most ghosts. They weren't trapped in some endless cycle, unable to move on. They liked being ghosts, and they made a life of it. They were created by being buried in a cave that housed a spirit in the rocks. The spirit granted them Caller abilities, provided they fed the spirit what it wanted. Most wanted blood.

Winn walked through the brush in front of the house. The door was boarded over. He walked around the side of the house, Deem following.

In the back, there was a set of stone steps descending to a bas.e.m.e.nt. They were covered over by a piece of loose plywood. Winn pushed the plywood aside and descended the steps.

Once they were inside the bas.e.m.e.nt, Deem looked up; there were holes in the ceiling which she could see through to the main floor. She pulled out her flashlight and turned it on. Seeing the structure made her even more nervous that it might collapse.

"Sagan?" Winn called. "Come out. I want to talk to you."

Deem felt something brush the back of her hair, and she turned quickly. Nothing was there.

"I felt something," Deem said.

"Sagan?" Winn called. "Don't f.u.c.k around, I've got something you want, and you don't want to p.i.s.s me off."

Sagan materialized directly in front of Deem. It startled her and she jumped back.

"I told you not to f.u.c.k around," Winn said.

Deem saw Winn jump into the River. She took another step back from Sagan and then followed Winn into the flow.

Sagan looked like a twenty year old delinquent. He wore a dirty wife beater and a baggy pair of chinos. His arms were covered in tattoos. He leered at Deem, a small face peering out from around long hair.

She's pretty! he said.

Too bad you're a ghost, Winn said to Sagan.

Yeah, I'd love to tap that, Sagan said, moving around Deem.

You want some fresh meat? Winn asked.

Sagan turned from Deem to look at Winn. Whatcha got? he asked.

Human corpses, Winn said. A nice supply. Would keep that cave spirit of yours happy for a long time.

Deem saw Sagan respond like a dog. He ran up to Winn.

Where? Sagan asked. I could use some!

Well, this is a nice supply, would probably set you up for a long time, Winn said. That's worth a lot, isn't it?

If it's true, Sagan said, losing some of his enthusiasm.

Aren't you tired of working with Brett, living off the deer carca.s.ses he drags back here? Winn said. I thought you were destined for greater things.

I got my application in with the St. Thomas crew, Sagan said. They're gonna take me.

They ain't gonna take ya, Winn said, 'cause there isn't a St. Thomas crew anymore. The place is gone.

I don't believe you, Sagan said. The St. Thomas crew is the greatest crew around here, and I'm gonna join them.

Well, you keep telling yourself that, Winn said, but in the meantime I was wondering if you were interested in something a little more significant than dead squirrels and rattlesnakes. Something that might demonstrate your ambition to a crew.

Maybe, Sagan said. What?

I have a task I need done, and if you do it, I'll tell you where to find enough human corpses to last you for years. You might even be able to sell them and set up your own crew. How about that?

What task? Sagan asked.

I got someone I want you to track, Winn said. I want you to find out where they live. You give me their name and address, I'll tell you where the bodies are.

Why do you need me to track 'em? Sagan asked. Why can't you track 'em yourself?

'Cause they're faster than me, Winn said. Are you interested or not?

How many bodies? Sagan asked.

At least a dozen, Winn answered. That'd last you how long, years? Imagine not having to feed anything to that cave spirit for a while. It'd be like you're a free man.

Deem watched as Sagan began to get excited. She knew he probably transported an animal carca.s.s to wherever he was buried several times a week to feed the spirit in the cave and keep himself a Caller. A human corpse would be worth far more to the cave spirit.

Tell me where they are, Sagan said, and I'll do it.

Nah, Winn answered. You track the guy first, get me his address, then I'll tell you.

How do I know you won't renege on your end of the deal, Sagan said, once I've done my part?

You'll just have to trust me, if you want those bodies.

Well, I have trust issues, Sagan said. Brett told me I'd get ten animals for every store I broke him into, but now I only get one or two.

Brett ain't part of this deal, Winn said. This is between you and me.

Yeah, but I find that humans lie, Sagan said, turning to walk away from Winn. They tell you they'll do something, but then they don't.

Deem watched Sagan as he walked back and forth, kicking at the ground. It made her smile; Sagan thought he was negotiating, but he obviously didn't know Winn.

I guess I'll see if Gale over in Littlefield wants the gig, Winn said, turning. Let's go, Deem.

Now hold on, Sagan said. I didn't say I didn't want the job.

Yeah, but you didn't say you did, and this place stinks, Sagan. I can barely stand to be in here with you. So make up your mind. I know Gale will do it, he's desperate to make some coin. I only stopped here because it was closer and I thought I'd let you in on something big-time instead of dog and cat corpses.

Winn turned again, and Deem followed him as he walked back toward the steps.

I'll do it! Sagan called after them. Alright, I'll do it. But I want an oath.

No oath, Winn said, turning back to face Sagan. You do it, I tell you where they are. That's the deal.

f.u.c.k, you aren't being fair, Sagan said. I ain't got no protection in this deal.

That's because you're a white trash low life, Sagan. You were a degenerate when you were alive, and you're still a degenerate. I don't trust you at all. Degenerates don't get protection in deals. Take it or leave it.

d.a.m.n, you're kind of an a.s.shole, Sagan said.

Come on, Deem, Winn said, turning again to head for the stairs.

No, wait, wait! Sagan said. I said I'd do it, and I will. Who am I supposed to track?

He'll be at Deem's house sometime tonight, Winn said. You watch the outside of the house until he appears, then follow him. I want a name and an address, then you get your corpses. Oh, and under no circ.u.mstances are you to go inside the house, is that clear?

Yeah, Sagan said. Don't go in. How will I know the guy?

He's dark and his eyes glow, Deem said. And he moves fast, much faster than a human.

So he's not human? Sagan asked. What is he?

That's none of your concern, Winn said.

It is if I'm supposed to track him! Sagan said. What if he turns on me?

Just stay back far enough that he doesn't know you're following him, Winn said. I don't want him tipped off.

I give you his address, you set me up with the bodies?

Name and address, Winn said, and after I verify that you got the right guy. Then I set you up.

Alright, Sagan said. Where's the house?

Deem relayed her address to Sagan. He seemed to be memorizing it, repeating it over and over. It didn't inspire confidence.

Can I ask you something? Deem asked Sagan.

Sure, he said, repeating the address under his breath.

How'd you get the name Sagan? she asked.

I drew a bunch of stars on my skateboard, he replied. Constellations and s.h.i.t. When my homies saw it, they started calling me Sagan.

After Carl Sagan? Deem asked.