“And now?”
“I think we need to exchange more money.”
“Ah, you take this one. I think it will be a bit more naturalif you ask the banker about the strip clubs he visits.”
He grinned. “How many times do you think people walk intobanks and ask about strip clubs?”
“Not every day?”
“Trust me, this dude is going to know we’re coming. We’llfind out if he’ll talk to us or not. We really do need to meet Inspector Birmingham.”
“I agree. Are we about to change more dollars into pounds?”
“We are. Just down the lane.”
But as he spoke, Andre stopped walking. Instead, he lookedup Swain’s Lane.
“They used to drive the swine down this way to the market atSpitalfields,” he said. “Thus, Swain’s Lane.”
“And cliffs and rises aplenty all around.”
“And Highgate, overgrown—much like home. Decaying elegance,haunting atmosphere—well, we’ve had a Rougarou. Might as well have a vampire,”he said.
“And our flake was right about something else,”Cheyenne said.
“Yeah?”
“Define vampire. This killer is abducting women and drainingthem of blood. That would be a vampire by definition. Hey, let’s get the carlater and just drive all the way up and explore the heights, huh?”
“Sure. Bank, electronics shop, and drive. But what about ourlast man?”
“Internet sensation Benjamin Turner?”
“That would be him. We’ll get to him, too,” Andre promised.“You got money?”
“Some. I mostly have pounds right now.”
“Me, too. Oh, well. I’ll switch some back.” He chuckled.
They reached the bank. Andre went in ahead, and she followeda minute later.
It didn’t matter.
While she pretended to be studying a rack of pamphletsadvertising credit cards, Andre strode in as if he were looking for where heshould be going for currency exchange.
A man rose from the desk on the side of the bank and walkedout of a little gated-off section, making his apologies to the older woman whowas sitting in front of his desk.
He headed straight for Andre and kept his voice low, butCheyenne could hear him.
“I know who you are, and I do not wish to speak with you.The police have questioned me. I hadn’t seen Sheila in weeks. I don’t care ifone of your American oh-so-special agents is Emily Donegal’s cousin. You haveno authority here, and don’t you dare think you’re going to question me at myplace of business.”
Andre just stared at him for a moment as if puzzled. “Oh,you must be that banker. Mark Bower, right?”
“Yes. Will you please be so kind as to leave now before I’mforced to call security?”
“I just need to exchange some coins. I’ve accumulated astack of them already.”
Cheyenne decided it was time for her entry. She left therack of pamphlets and approached the two of them. “Andre, we need to get going.I’m sorry, sir!” she said to Mark Bower. “We just need to get rid of some ofthese coins. I mean, they’ll be worthless when we get home, and you kind ofwind up with them no matter how hard you try to get rid of them.”
“You’re just here to exchange money?” Bower asked.
“We are.”
“But—”
“Well, you and Sheila weren’t close, were you? I mean, youonly dated a few times, right?”
“Right. We dated a few times,” Bower said. “That’s it. I’msorry. She was a nice girl. But I am not talking to any unauthorized Americansabout the case. I will thank you to get out of the bank.”
“May we just exchange our coins for paper currency, please?”Cheyenne asked sweetly.
Bower leaned back slightly, crossing his arms over hischest. “You just happened into this bank, right?”
“Well, old chap,” Andre said, “it’s the first bank we cameto on the street. Apparently, you know about us. So, you likely know we’restaying with Eric and Emily because you know Sheila was found on their doorstep.This is the nearest bank,” Andre pointed out.
“Do your business and get out,” Bower snapped.
Andre politely told him, “Thank you,” and headed for thecounter.
“Why are you so against us?” Cheyenne asked.
She was surprised at the sudden passion Bower showed when heturned to her. “Sheila is dead. And we don’t need any seances or any other mumbo-jumboused against her memory. She’s dead. Do you get that? Dead!”
He spun around and headed back to his desk and his customer,adjusting his tie as he did, apologizing profusely to the older woman whoawaited him.
“The electronics store is just a bit down,” Andre said,returning with a small stack of colorful British pounds in his hand. “Firstthings first. Cameras and cables. And then—”
He didn’t finish his sentence because his phone startedringing.
He answered it quickly. By the way his expression changed,she knew it had to be the home office calling.
He listened, nodded, glanced at his watch, and took Cheyennegently by the arm to lead her outside.
Back on the street, he stopped, agreed to whatever was beingsaid on the other end of the line, and then ended the call before looking ather.
“So?” Cheyenne asked.
“Well, I was going to say we needed a trip to meet with theesteemed Inspector Birmingham, but that will have to wait. If we move swiftly,we have a few minutes to get a camera set up—at least something—for Eric andEmily’s place.”
“Yes, I think that may prove to be really important.”
“I want to meet Birmingham, though.” He grimaced. “I’mtempted to tell him I’ve received a message from his long-lost dog orsomething—that it came through my crystal ball.”
“Andre! We need to be careful here. I don’t think mockingBower by calling him a chap was…diplomatic.”
“Hey, I love the British. And even I love the sound of asmooth accent. He just came on like such an ass. I’m sorry. And you’re right.”
“Remember—”
“Yes, we’re not official. Anyway, we’ll meet Birminghameventually, but Angela also gave me the name of the club Bower visits mostfrequently. It’s called Pussycats and Toms, and it’s down atPiccadilly Circus. We’ll go tonight.”
“Great. I love a good strip club.” She rolled her eyes.
He grinned, arched a brow, and moved again toward theelectronics store.
“It is called Pussycats and Toms. Maybe there are some good Toms to be seen.”
“I think the Toms part probably refers to thecustomers, but I’m up for whatever. You think Bower is worth the
