Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

long time.
    "You do realize we're going into the Rookery today?" she said heavily. "Into the most dangerous and evil part of the city?"
    "Oh, yes! Absolutely looking forward to it, darling! Don't worry, I've got all my gear. Whatever happens, we won't miss a thing! This really is terribly exciting! Now, tell me, before we start: is it true you're a vegetarian?"
    "Yes," said Emma, frowning slightly.
    "An exclusive!" Nina did a little dance of celebration right there on the spot, punching the air with one fist.
    "Get on the sled behind me," said Emma.
    Nina hugged Emma tightly round the waist as they flew over increasingly narrow streets, heading into the center of the city and the criminal underworld of the Rookery. Nina let her chin rest on Emma's shoulder, and chattered happily in her ear all the way there.
    "I really am so glad you chose me for this gig, Emma. Honestly, darling, the competition was… well, everyone else was very busy, but even so… Oh, I just know we're going to get on famously! I've read all the files we have on you. Well, not all of them, obviously, because there are an awful lot of them, but I skimmed the precis of most of them… We really are frightfully high up, aren't we? I don't normally get to do the crime stuff, you know. Mostly I do gossip. Who's been seen dining with who at which new nightspot, who's dumping who, that sort of thing. I was the one who proved Treasure Mackenzie is
    allergic to cats, even though she swore she wasn't. Of course, she hasn't talked to me ever since I thrust that cat in her face at a premiere, but then, she wasn't talking to me anyway, the snotty cow. And sometimes I do the horoscopes, when there's no one else left in the office. But this is the real thing! Real reporting! No more gossip for me, I'm going to be a genuine journalist at last. Mummy will be so pleased! Why did you choose me, Emma?"
    "Because you were the only one dumb enough to agree to accompany me into the Rookery," growled Emma, without looking round. "And more and more it's seeming like a really bad idea. Now keep the noise down, and pay attention. Is your camera running?"
    "Oh, yes, Emma. Has been ever since you showed up. We are totally live, as you requested."
    "Well, we've just entered a part of the city that doesn't officially exist. This is where most of the crime that happens in this city is plotted and financed. This is where the really wild animals are. So stay close to me, do what I say when I say it, and for God's sake don't try to interview anyone. They don't take kindly to being asked questions around here."
    "So how do you find out things?" said Nina.
    "Mostly I beat it out of them. Now one of my more reliable snitches got a message to me about a meeting between one of the main agent provocateurs and his secret patron. The agent is apparently threatening to go public over their dealings unless he gets more money. The patron doesn't normally come here in person anymore, so this could be our one chance to nail him. And if it turns out to be who I think it is, you are in for the exclusive of your life."
    Nina squeaked loudly with excitement right into Emma's ear, and Emma winced. She wasn't ready to mention the Durandal's name yet. Not till she'd caught him in the act. But if he was stupid enough to meet with one of his creatures personally, then live coverage of the two together, in the heart of the infamous Rookery, should finally be enough to cast serious doubt on his goody-goody image. The problem was, she had to get solid evidence against Finn or it wouldn't stick. Just meeting an agent provocateur wasn't enough. He might still talk his way out of that. She needed coverage of the two of them discussing what they'd planned and done together—whatever that might have been. Emma sighed. Maybe she'd get really lucky, and the Durandal would implicate himself and then gun down the agent to silence him. Let Finn talk his way out of cold-blooded murder, broadcast live.
    "Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions? Just till we get there?" said Nina in that open happy way of hers that made it clear nothing short of murder was going to stop her. "I mean, there's still so much the people don't know about you, Emma. Like, do you have a steady boyfriend? What's your favorite recipe? Do you have any special makeup tips that you'd like to share with our viewers? You are a fashion icon, after all, even if it is a rather… severe look. What's it like, being a woman and a Paragon?
    What