Ducked below the small rectangle of glass that broke up the flat surface of the staffroom door, I kept an ear pressed against the wood and waited, until I heard the distant click of the dressing room door as it closed. No more voices came from inside the room; though Red was probably still in there, inspecting her nails or perhaps moved on to preening her hair by that time. Shane and the Waif – Evie, I supposed I had to call her now – must have moved on through to the very back of the club.

 Straightening back up, I stole a quick glance in through the window. Sure enough Red was alone; the glow from a mobile phone illuminated her face, the same bored expression painted her features. She probably wouldn't even notice if I passed straight back through the room in pursuit of my target, or at the very least wouldn't care, but I couldn't, not just yet. They had only just left the room, if I followed too soon they'd notice I was stalking them and my whole opportunity to complete this case would be blown.

 I presumed that Shane would lead Evie deeper into the mass of back rooms that the club held, the pretence of the 'grand tour' was a good one. I'd seen, once or twice, that there were quite a number of barely used rooms back there, most stocked for storage and others seemingly empty.

 Information in his case file suggested that Shane favoured the club as his killing ground, it was the main reason I had chosen to target him at his place of work, so it made sense to me that there would be one back room out there that he favoured, his own little inner sanctum. But which one and where would I find it was the most pressing of questions. Staff rarely ventured past the storeroom filled with bar snacks and dusty Coke cans, all save for Shane. Finding them was going to require a little exploration on my part, and I was so tempted to burst through the door and hurry after them to make my own job that little bit simpler.

 With my forehead pressed against the cool wood of the door I dragged in several steadying breaths. Come on, bide your time Rayne. You know how to play this game. I told myself.

 One long, gruelling and sleep deprived week in that dump and I could almost have allowed near a centuries worth of experience in the job to slip through my fingers in my eagerness to escape the place. I had to give Shane time to get things rolling on his own – I couldn't very well hold him at knife point and force him to kill her, couldn't infringe on freewill. Some gentle coercion was at my disposal, but it would only work when the time was right and for that I would need to wait.

 I was pretty certain that Shane wouldn't need any convincing to fuck Evie, but I wasn't completely certain he would be so quick to kill her, not without a little persuasion. So I had to hope that I could catch them at it and without them noticing me in the process. If they managed to catch me following them, or watching them? Well, it would certainly embody the phrase 'killing the moment'.

 Patience, unfortunately, really wasn't a virtue of mine – probably why one week on that job had started to feel like a lifetime – and I was physically itching to get after them. The imminent completion of my case had the adrenaline pumping and my mind felt active and alive again. I needed to get my feet moving, ease off some of the rising tension so that I didn't rush in, hot-headed, and have the whole situation blow up in my face.

 To give myself something to do, to occupy those few minutes that I needed to wait, I turned back towards the bar. I should probably go and tell Alex that I wasn't going to be back to help him serve drinks again that night...or ever. I felt a little bad about leaving him in the lurch, and part of me couldn't stand to leave without offering some kind of explanation, and saying goodbye.

 My short, ten minute break had been over sometime ago, as Shane had made a point of telling me, and Alex was already searching for me across the room as I turned to face the crowd. I found his gaze and he raised an eyebrow at me as our eyes met, an amused smile quirked his lips even despite the frown that pinched the middle of his brow. I realised then that I must have appeared to be acting rather peculiarly, huddled against the staffroom door; how many curious and confused glances had I managed to attract? Though, to be honest, I was beyond caring about keeping up appearances now that the end was almost touchable. I shrugged my shoulders at Alex's quizzical expression and started to make my way across the room.

 I walked with casual strides, taking as much time as I could without appearing to dawdle. I had the time it took to walk the distance of the room to think up an excuse to feed Alex; and it proved to be a tricky one. But, at the same time, I did not want to linger too long in a crowd full of drunken, lust fuelled customers. Having my arse grabbed by a drunk with a sudden, over-active sense of bravery was most certainly not on the agenda for the night. Plus, my body was still physically buzzing with anticipation of this soul capture that I actually feared how I might retaliate to such an advance.

 The harming or killing of humans, unless it was seen to directly aid my cases, was forbidden. They weren't expendable and beating a pathway through them drew far too much attention to our kind; I'd learned the hard way, in the early days, that it wouldn't just be covered up. But I'd taken heed of my previous warnings, and I wasn't keen to be reminded of them; 'being unable to control ones own actions was not a viable excuse'. That thought alone was enough to keep my head level and encourage me to keep to the edge of the crowd.

 Thankfully, most of the attention was still focussed on the new set of dancers, but I wasn't sure how long they had left to perform and didn't much fancy getting caught up in the swarming crowd as they rushed to get drinks. The night was wearing on, alcohol had already been consumed in copious amounts, and this was usually about the time that the fights would break out. I couldn't allow myself to get caught up in the middle of that, so I picked up my pace a little.

 I reached the bar, but stopped on the 'wrong' side of it. I set my hands down on the cool, slightly sticky, surface and cast Alex and uneasy smile; I hadn't managed to formulate and excuse.

 “So. You've actually decided to come back to work then?” Alex asked, rhetorically. “But, y'know, there is still something a little wrong with this picture.” He gave me his wry smile as he waved, vaguely, in my direction.

 He was referring to my presence on the customers side of the bar, it didn't take me long to figure that out. I tried to return the smile at his joke, but my expression must have looked awkward as his own lips started to droop at the corners.

 Alex shook his head. “Why does something tell me that I'm going to be working the rest of the night alone? What's going on?”

 His voice sounded so serious it was almost alien. I hadn't realised he could be quite so sombre, nor that he was so perceptive. Granted my behaviour over by the staffroom door must have appeared rather odd, it couldn't have taken much for him to realise something was going on, but to be able to anticipate what I was coming to tell him? Well, I had to give him some credit for that.

 “I'm really sorry Alex, something...” I paused, still scratching for a reason to give him, that was both believable and as far from the truth as I could manage, and coming up blank. “Um, something's come up.” I finished, lamely, almost cringing at the dismalness of my excuse; like he wasn't going to press me for more information after that vague response. I was supposed to be good at this. Pretending, playing a role was an everyday part of my job. So why was I feeling so lost?

 “I just...I really can't explain at the moment. But there is something that I've got to do. I'm really sorry for leaving you in the lurch like this, but it's vital that I take off.”

 The words seemed to spew out of my mouth with little thought or control. I watched as Alex frowned, trying to comprehend my reasoning, and I hoped he wasn't going to dig for further answers. The time that I had needed to waste was rapidly slipping away the longer I stood there.

 “So, kind of a life or death situation then.” He finally replied.

 It wasn't a question, nor did it sound much like one of Alex's typical jokey remarks. That serious tone again, and with far less scepticism that I would have expected to come along with those words.

 “Yeah.” I nodded, the smile slipping from my lips. “Something like that. I really am sorry.” I apologised again and felt mildly surprised at just how genuine that sorrow felt. Alex was a good guy, for a human, and a part of me was going to miss him and the possibility of a potential friend that I would never truly have.

 I turned away from the bar, and with one final glance over my shoulder cast Alex a smile. “It really was nice working with you.” And, with that, I cleaved a path quickly through the crowd as the music ended and they all wobbled from their seats. Time to get to the real work.

                                                                                    * * *

Pushing my way through the mass of bodies, I shoved open the door to the staffroom, it bathed a small corner of the dark club in a sickly yellow glow, and I slipped inside, letting the door swing closed behind me. I blinked in the brightness from the bare and dusty florescent tubes, though they were a welcome change from the black lights; and my ears were grateful for the heavy door that muffled the base music that had quickly started up again once the dancers had left the stage. So many things about that place I couldn't wait to leave behind.

 Red was no longer alone in the staffroom. The new set of dancers had all found themselves a seat and were sharing a quiet moment of respite together. I was guessing they had performed their last show for the night and would soon be headed home, judging by the time. I hoped this was indeed the case, the less people to potentially linger around the 'backstage' area of the club all the better for me.

 I didn't stop to take in the new faces, they were likely dancers I had seen perform over the course of the week, but I didn't need any more human names added to my ever growing list of associates. I was already going to come away from that case with a quota of names to put to human faces well above and beyond what I considered usual. Evie had added herself, I would not add any more. Though, as I made my way through the room, there was one pair of familiar dark eyes that I couldn't just ignore.

 Rosa was sat, slumped, in one of the battered old chairs; dressed now in a pair of dark blue jeans and a figure hugging black T-shirt that I knew she kept in her locker just for the journey home each night. If she was already dressed that would mean she was done for the night, already. Only one set on stage was a pretty poor showing compared to her usual three, and I had to wonder if Shane was punishing her for the lateness, and for her association with me which, lets face it, went hand in hand with each other.

 She looked pissed off and I felt a pang of guilt clutch at my chest. Foolish, I berated myself. I had allowed my human side to grow far too fond of Rosa and Alex both. I cared what happened to them and I shouldn't, caring only inhibited my real job. I scolded myself silently again and promised that I would not make a repeat performance of this case in the future.

 Rosa spotted me and her expression softened somewhat; whatever the issue was at least she didn't seem to be blaming me for it...Ugh, now I'm even caring what they think of me. This has got to stop!

“Hey, Dahlia,” Rosa said, her smile not quite managing to brighten her glum tone. “What are you doing back here? I thought you'd already taken your ten minute break.”

 “Yeah, ah, I did...” I stopped moving through the room to stand in front of Rosa as she spoke to me. I could not be so rude as to just ignore her, but my time was ticking away and I wasn't exactly sure what else to say to her, nor what excuse I could possibly give for not stopping to chat.

 “You're not done are you? I'm about to take off in a minute or two if you want a lift.”

 I shook my head. “No such luck I'm afraid. Thanks though,” I said as I began to inch a little closer to the door that headed out to the dressing rooms. But then I paused as I had a thought, Rosa might just be helpful.

 “Actually, Rosa, you haven't seen Shane about back here have you? I've...got to ask him something.”

 She seemed to be the safest person to ask this question, but from the look that crept over her face I got the impression that she didn't really want to give me the answer.

 “Yeah, I saw him about five minutes ago. Told me to get my arse off home, the prick!” Rosa spat. “He was headed off back there with the new girl. But, I don't know if you really wanna go looking for him right now, if you know what I mean.”

 A cringe crept over my face, I knew exactly what she was getting at, and it was exactly what I was hoping for. Still didn't make it a pleasant image.

 “Think I'm going to have to take my chances,” I said with a resigned sigh, hoping that she would understand, in some way, why I had to see him. “Did you see, even vaguely, which way they went?”

 “Yeah, past the storerooms, to the end of the corridor, then he led her off to the left. Seriously though, if I were you, I'd stay the hell away from those back rooms.”

 “Wish I could.” Was all I could mutter in reply, “I'll see you later Rosa.” I said by way of reply, knowing that my words were wholly false; I would not be seeing her later.

 Before she could hold me in the staffroom any longer I hurried for the door and slipped into the silence of the dressing room corridor. That was it, I'd cut the ties with the main human acquaintances I'd made during that case, said the goodbyes I'd felt compelled to make, from there on in it was all business.

                                                                                        * * *

The corridor was deserted. Not a voice came from behind the large double doors that concealed the dressing rooms, and the way ahead was clear and just as quiet. “All right,” I muttered to myself, “Lets get this done.”

 I stalked my way down the empty corridor, right to the end where it formed a kind of T-junction, stretching off for some meters both left and right. Trusting in Rosa's words I headed left. The corridor was dark, the fluorescent tubes that lined the ceiling had long since burnt out; yet another victim of Angelo's tight purse-strings. The carpet underfoot was old and kicked up plumes of dust with every step I took. One bonus of this was that the thick layer of dust helped to muffle the sound of my approach in a way that the old, threadbare carpet would never have been able to manage. I just had to try and not inhale the dust, last thing I needed was a coughing or sneezing fit to alert Shane to my presence.

 Empty dark room after empty dark room passed me by as my steps ate up the length of the corridor. I stood, briefly, in each doorway and surveyed their contents, but really I could tell without needing to look that I hadn't found the right room. So I moved on, quickly and quietly, keen to find my target.

 A sliver of light in the dark hallway was my first clue. A door stood ever so slightly ajar at the very end of the corridor and a slice of warm, yellow light – like that from a table lamp – bisected the darkness like a knife. That was it, they had to be in there; but I paused my footsteps before they became too eager. I had to be certain, there was no room for this to go wrong.

 I stopped still and held my breath, so that not even the soft sound of my breathing could disrupt the silence, and I listened. My ears were good, the slightest little sound and I should have been able to hear it, if only my heart could have stopped beating like a bass drum between my ribs.

 Slowly releasing the lungful of air I had been holding I willed my pulse to slow, tried to bring the adrenaline under control. A calm, cool head was what I needed. Well, that and clue as to whether my target and his lover were indeed on the other side of that door. Some soft conversation, even just some heavy breathing would do, but there was nothing. The silence stretched on, seeming endless.

 All but ready to give up hope that the two were inside that lighted room I sighed. Perhaps Rosa had been mistaken, maybe they'd gone to the right instead of left? It might be worth a look, but I'd been so sure it was that room – that light wasn't on for nothing. I was just about to turn my back and run a quick sweep down the other end of the corridor, determined that I would not let the chance to end this case slip through my fingers, when I heard it. A soft, feminine giggle floated through the air and I recognised the high, girlish tone that perfectly matched the waif's voice.

 I whispered a quiet word of thanks and advanced on the door, a little more swiftly than my feet had previously been carrying me now that I knew my quarry did indeed lay inside, though taking care not to make too much noise as I walked. I wasn't too late, but every chance of successfully capturing Shane's soul hinged on me staying quiet and hidden; watching and waiting for the moment to pounce.

 My job could be hideously voyeuristic at times, probing into the very depths of peoples lives, studying, manipulating; and it used to be fun. In that moment, I really just wanted them to get it over with ...and I did not want to have to watch.

 More noises filtered out through the crack of the open door. Hurried breaths, wet sucking kisses and an occasional slap of flesh.

 “You are sure no one will find us back here?” Evie's voice came in a breathless whisper.

 “Never,” Shane growled in response. “They all avoid these rooms like the plague. It's my own little hideaway. We could be here all night and not be disturbed once.”

 There was a sudden, surprised yelp and a clunking, creaking sound that I could have sworn were bedsprings. He couldn't actually have a bed set up back there could he? I cringed. Shane's own little den of inequity, now there was a truly horrifying thought.

 I reached the door and tried to stand so that I could get a clear view into the room and not have my shadow fall into their field of vision. I peaked inside and, sure enough, my ears had not deceived me.

 There, in the very centre of the small, square room, stood and old, wrought iron bedstead. It was rusted and worn, well past its years of good use, shuddering and creaking under the gentle motions that rocked it. The room was illuminated by a single standing lamp, the dull yellow light threw the black, faux silk draped bed into stark relief and plunged the rest of the room into deeper shadow. The occupants of the bed seemed to glow, glimmering with a sheen of sweat, under the strange low wattage light, and drew all my focus; not that there was much else in the room to look at beyond the stacks of dusty boxes and clothes strewn floor. Pity really, watching Shane and Evie fornicate wasn't exactly at the top of my list for ways to spend an enjoyable evening.

 But I knew that with patience, and a strong stomach, would come reward. Just like with sex would come death – or it would if I had any say in the matter – and maybe, just maybe I could get home that night and finally get some bloody sleep.