The bar was almost full. The tables all had 3 or more people seated, engrossed with their conversations. The only one who didn't seem to be busy was the bartender who was wiping the counter. None of the patrons looked friendly, so I thought he might be our best lead in finding Peter.

"I'll do the talking," I told Harry as we made our way to the bartender. It wasn't because I had bartending experience, but Harry was known to be 'diplomatically challenged' as he told me once. I don't want to be kicked out of yet another bar.

"What can I get for you two?" the bartender asked. He seemed friendly enough, though I doubt that'd still be the case when we leave. I've had years of experience of bartenders being in on the gang that ran bars as a front.

I decided the concerned friend act might be helpful. "Hey, we're just looking for Peter Nichols. His brother said he might be here."

The bartender's eyes narrowed. Bingo. "What's it to you?"

I shrugged and grinned sheepishly, "Scott's in the hospital. Said he's worried for his brother. Peter's from out of town, you know. We promised Scott we'd look out for him."

The bartender held my gaze with a frown for a moment, and then shook his head. "Sorry. Can't help you there." He flicked his eyes to the doors then turned around and ignored us.

If I hadn't been trained so well, I'd have missed that nervous gesture.

"Come on," I dragged a puzzled Harry out of the bar, signalling to him to keep silent. I had a hunch there was something we needed to look at outside.

And there was.

Peter Nichols was lurking in the alley, waiting for us.

"I heard you talking to Gen."

"Peter Nichols, I take it." I said.

The young man nodded and stepped back into the alley beside the bar. We followed cautiously. I kept my senses alert for possible traps and noticed Harry had his shield bracelet out. Times like this, I was almost relieved to have a wizard for backup; and that said wizard has a lot of combat experience.

Peter was leaning against the wall when we reached him, his posture relaxed though his hands kept shaking even thrust deep in his pockets. He was young, not yet of college age.

"Is it true? Did Scott tell you where to find me?" the boy asked. The disinterest in his tone sounded feigned. So he didn't want people finding out his concern for his brother?

Harry replied before I could. "He didn't say anything. We tracked you here."

Peter blinked, his hands stilling. "How?"

"Your binding's clumsy. Easy to spot."

"You...you broke it?"

Harry nodded.

Peter's face paled. "Oh god, she's going to kill me. Oh god!"

I quickly stepped in front of the panicking teen. "Who's she, Peter? Who's going to kill you?"

"I am." came a woman's voice from behind the boy.

I glanced up to see a dark blonde-haired woman. She was pretty and her body-hugging outfit gave credit to her shapely figure, but I'd been surrounded by beautiful heroines since I was a kid and she didn't hold a candle to any of them. I didn't like the cruel glint in her dark eyes.

"I am Rosa Valentin." She said.