Badou grinned, tapping the book against his shoulder. Under normal circumstances, this was the part where he ran for the hills (then across some rooftops, down an alley and past the dumpster if he was lucky) because he couldn't, or didn't want to, pay the information fee. He was such a trustworthy guy.

"Right. I'll grab your stuff tomorrow night." And if that corridor was guarded by anything larger than a Dorito, Artemis was screwed.

The waitress chose that moment to reappear and collect the plates. Badou passed her the free meal coupon. It was about time they got going anyway. He still wanted to try bumming a cigarette off some kind and generous soul.