"One of the other employers on my list was brutally murdered. By the same man who put me in traction for the better part of two months, to make a point." Stephanie would deliver the important information in order of urgency. "My belief is that he intends to go systematically down the list and kill the others."

All that before she even managed to sit down. "I'd love to say that was the entirety of the news I have to tell you, but I'm afraid not. But it's the most immediately dire information." She looked carefully at Viveca. She was doing a good job to keep it together, despite the fact that thinking of him made her joints ache. But Viveca's senses would likely be able to pick up the unmistakable scent of fear.

"He goes by the name Vargas. He is extremely powerful and very, very dangerous."