No doubt there were plenty of theories about the seemingly random disappearances, and about as helpful as those concerning the giant birds nesting on the roofs. If he just had a bit more evidence, weeding some out would be easy... "Not particularly," he started off, answering Sasuke's first question. "Other than that they're timed, but that's obvious."

And another mystery brought to the table. That, at least, hadn't become personal experience for him, if one excluded Roland, whose bloodlust he didn't trust with or without the aid of mind control.

"Mmm, I'm sure most have by now--every other night they're lurking around, I expect. Notice how the ringleader has stopped announcing them." He took another drink, his free hand resting in his lap. "What about them?"