It's Kate. She needs to talk about Anne.

"Is that any way to talk to the woman who stole your virginity and your money?" Kate laughs.

Nick laughs, too. "Sorry. There's only about six people with this number, and three of them are people who would only call me in emergencies."

"I wouldn't call you here, but I needed to warn you about something."

Nick's feelers begin perking. "What's wrong?"

Kate sighs, her frustration audible over the phone line. "I wish I knew for sure. After we closed for renovations, I was really expecting Rick to try to cause some sort of trouble. But it's been dead quiet."

"Until now?" Nick guesses.

"Maybe?"

"I have a great idea, Katie, my love," Nick says, sarcasm leaking into his tone. "How about we pretend you're calling me to tell me something important and not to play twenty questions?"

"Fuck you," Katie laughs. "I'm getting to the point."

"Really? I didn't think we could even see the point yet."

She laughs again, but this time her voice goes serious after. "It's Anne. I got a really weird call from her last night. She sounded like she'd been crying, and she asked me if there was any way I could get Rick back in the door of the club."

"I assume you told her no."

"That's the thing, Nick." Kate pauses, picking her words carefully. "She started begging me. I mean, like she was really ****. She said she'd pay for his membership, she'd vouch for his behavior, she'd owe me favors, on and on. She even offered to be my **** if I wanted."

Nick thinks back, considering angles, wondering what Kate knows. "I'm pretty sure that asshole's making her life Hell right now."

"I remember there was some drama in the hall the night the board turned the place over to you," Kate recalls. "What do you think I should tell her?"

"Did she leave you a place to call her back?" Aden's eyes close. This Rick is becoming a real pain. The monster stirs, whispering easy solutions in his ear.

"She did," Kate answers. "Let me see if I can find it."

"Wait." Aden's mind is racing forward through various possible next steps. He makes a decision. "Do you have her home address?"

"Uhhhh, why?"

Aden's laugh is cold and merciless, and Kate realizes she's talking to the monster. "Do you really want to know, Kate?" he asks her. "I won't hurt her."