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her cute tail. The shorter and more agile one of the bunch yelled, “Get back here, you little mutt.”
    The larger and more menacing brute said, “Shit, the dog is gone. We’re dead meat.”
    Halo opened her door and Fifi jumped onto her lap and licked her face. She’d left her door open.
    “Halo, shut your door. We’ve gotta go now!”
    She needed to learn about personal safety or she wouldn’t survive long.
    “Woops. Sorry… Isn’t she the cutest little dog?” Halo asked.
    Fifi was cuddled up near Halo’s neck. I gunned my Mini Cooper. I wished I’d bought the turbocharged model.
    “Holly cripes, Corny. This job is a lot harder than I thought. No wonder you’re in such great shape,” Halo said.
    “Thanks.” I maintained the illusion I was in control of the situation, until my heart settled back in my chest. “Yeah, I can do this kinda stuff in my sleep.” I’d be lucky if I wasn’t struck down by lightening, for fibbing.
    “Corny, are you going to let me continue doing retrievals? I know I wasn’t successful with Fifi, but that was my first try. I promise to lie next time someone asks who I am. Please, please, let me try again,” Halo pleaded.
    “How about this? You can ride along on my next couple jobs and I’ll see how you do.”
    “Really? That’s great! Thank you,” she said.
    Who could say no to such enthusiasm? Not me. “How does everyone feel about donut holes? I’m buying.” I increased my speed by ten miles an hour. I didn’t want the wise guys to catch us eating donuts.
    “Put me down for a dozen,” Halo said.
    I’d love six glazed holes please, Fifi chimed in.
    Fifi was a sweet little dog. She was polite—not like a ferret I know.
    “Okay donuts, here we come.” Halo grabbed for the dashboard. I looked in my rear view mirror and didn’t see any wise guys. I let my foot off the gas pedal, a tad.
    After we stuffed our bellies with carbs, Halo and I delivered Fifi to Uncle Chuck. Halo handed her over and this time I think Uncle Chuck’s tears were genuine.
    He took the diamond collar off and said, “I’ll send this back FedEx overnight, insured, and signature required. I don’t want to owe Vinnie anything—ever again.”
    “Remember, no more gambling, but most important, no more borrowing money from loan sharks.”
    “You have my solemn promise,” He said and crossed his heart.
    “Take care, Uncle Chuck. Come on Halo, let’s go.”
    Out in the parking lot, Halo said, “Can I call it a day? I’d like to go tell Jacob about my fun-filled day.”
    “Yes, but you be careful. Vinnie knows who you are. I’m not saying he’ll come after you, but keep an eye out and don’t talk to strangers.” I worried about her lack of common sense.
    “Okey-dokey, boss.”
    She sped off with a little puff of smoke from the tailpipe of her Beetle. Because the donut holes hadn’t filled me up, I drove through Jack in the Box and got a large fry—to heck with the whole diet thing.

CHAPTER EIGHT

    At seven, I arrived home exhausted, cranky, and hungry. Fries and donut holes weren’t super foods. I was greeted by an upset ferret. He sat at my feet on his hinds legs and chattered.
    Hey, where have you been? I’ve been worried about you. You are not going to believe what happened today. I tried to tell Steve, but stared at me funny. You need to teach him how to understand me.
    “Pete, the psychic connection I have with animals isn’t something I can teach. I inherited the gift.” I picked Pete up and scratched up and down his spine with my nails to help settle him down.
    Okay, okay. Listen to this. I heard the door open and thought you came home early. I climbed out of your silky drawer and trotted down the hall to greet you. There was a woman I didn’t recognize looking around, touching our things. I figured she must be Celeste. I followed and watched her as she went through every room. She smiled when she touched Steve’s things and frowned when she looked at yours. Is Steve