I guess she did. And while the conditions here weren't top notch, at least there was security, and she wasn't on the street. That had to be a good thing.
"I'll try not to disturb you when I come back in."
She snorted. "Did I look as if I'd mind being disturbed?"
I grinned. "Thanks for your help."
"Cass," she said. "My name is Cass."
"Thanks, Cass."
She nodded, then opened the dresser drawer, grabbing a little tin and tucking the cash inside. I shifted shape and in seagull form flew out the window, circling the building and checking out the different top-floor windows before heading for the side street. I changed shape, adjusted my clothes, then walked back to my car. But I didn't get in, grabbing my cell phone out of my pocket instead. I pressed Quinn's number and waited impatiently for him to answer.
"Well, hello," he drawled, the gentle Irish lilt in his voice sounding oh-so sexy. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon."
"I've been visiting a brothel," I said, imagining his expression and smiling at the image.
"And I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason for it," he said, "even though I can't really think of one."
"It had a phone."
"Most of them do."
I laughed. "This phone is the contact number for a bunch of hit men for hire."
"Interesting." His voice was dry. "So why are you calling me?"
"Because I need food and sex, and not necessarily in that order. I figured you might be interested in sating one or both of those desires."
"You figured right. Where would you like said sating to occur?"
"Somewhere not too fancy. I need to be back at the brothel by one-thirty, so I haven't got time to go home and change. And several shape-shifts has shredded the last spare T-shirt I have in the car."
"Which is a look I quite enjoy," he said. "I take it you're close to the city?"
"St. Kilda."
"Excellent. There's a small spa in Acland Street that does a great lunch and spa treatment regimen. I'll send you the address and meet you there in twenty minutes."
"But I don't want - "
"Riley, trust me."
"Okay," I grumbled. "But you know how bitchy I can get when my hungers aren't satisfied."
He laughed. The warm sound flowed through me like a caress. "Trust me, love, I aim to satisfy us both."
"Well, good." I glanced at my watch. "I'll see you in twenty."
"You will."
He hung up, and I rang Jack. "Boss," I said, the minute he answered, "that land line is located on the top floor of a brothel, and the whole floor is bristling with electronic security."
"Meaning they're hiding something," he said. "Can you break in, or do you want some professional help?"
"Well, I'm thinking that electronic security usually needs electricity to work, so would it be possible to arrange a little blackout in the area around two?"
"It'll take out the entire block, but yeah, it can be done." He paused. "We ran a trace on the number. The phone is listed as belonging to the brothel. The owner of said brothel is one T. J. Hart. We're trying to track down an address for him."