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haven’t had much experience around kids. I may be underestimating the situation, but aren’t you being a bit of an alarmist? What experience are you basing your worries on?”
    “Are you kidding?” my partner said, laughing for the first time in our conversation. “Anyone who’s been around as many centuries as I have has had more than their share of experience with kids. You met my nephew Rupert? You think he was born an adult? And he’s only one of more nieces, nephews, and grandchildren than I can count without being reduced to a nervous wreck by the memories.”
    And I thought I couldn’t be surprised by Aahz anymore.
    “Really? Grandchildren? I never even knew you had kids.”
    “I don’t like to talk about it. That in itself should be a clue. When someone who likes to talk as much as I do totally avoids a subject, the memories have got to be less than pleasant!”
    I was starting to get a bit worried. Realizing that Aahz usually tends to minimize danger, his warnings were starting to set my overactive imagination in gear.
    “I hear what you’re saying, Aahz. But we’re only talking about one kid here. How much trouble can one little girl be?”
    My partner’s face suddenly split into one of his infamous evil grins. “Remember that quote,” he said. “I’m going to be tossing it back at you from time to time.”
    “But...”
    “Hey, Boss! There’s someone here to see you!”
    Just what I needed! I had already pretty much resolved not to take on any more clients until after Markie’s father had reclaimed her. Of course, I didn’t want to say that in front of Aahz, especially considering our current conversation.
    “I’m in the middle of a conference, Guido!” I called. “Tell them to come back later.”
    “Suit yourself, Boss!” came the reply. “I just thought you’d want to know, seein’ as how it’s Luanna...”
    I was off like a shot, not even bothering to excuse myself. Aahz would understand. He knew I’d had a thing for Luanna since our expedition into Limbo.
    On my way to the waiting room, I had time to speculate as to whether or not this was one of my bodyguard’s little pranks. I decided that if it was, I would study hard until I knew enough magic to turn him into a toad.
    My suspicions were groundless. She was there. My beautiful blond goddess. What really made my heart leap, though, was that she had her luggage with her.
    “Hi, Luanna. What are you doing here? Where’s Matt? How have things been? Would you like something to drink? Could I...”
    I suddenly realized that I was babbling and forced myself to pause.
    “Aahh ... what I’m trying to say is that it’s good to see you.”
    That got me the slow smile that had haunted my dreams. “I’m glad, Skeeve. I was afraid you’d forgotten about me.”
    “Not a chance,” I said, then realized I was leering. “That is, no, I haven’t forgotten a thing about you.”
    Her deep blue eyes locked with mine, and I felt myself sinking helplessly into their depths.
    “That’s good,” she said in that musical voice of hers. “I was worried about taking you up on your offer after all this time.”
    That got through the fog that was threatening to envelop my mind. “Offer? What offer?”
    “Oh, you don’t remember! I thought ... oh, this is embarrassing.”
    “Wait a minute!” I cried. “I haven’t forgotten! It’s just that ... let me think ... it’s just...”
    Like a beam of sunlight in a swamp the memory came to me. “You mean when I said that you could come to work for Aahz and me? That’s it? Right?”
    “That’s what I was talking about!” The sun came from behind the clouds as she smiled again. “You see, Matt and I have split, and I thought...”
    “Do you want any breakfast, Daddy? You said ... oh! Hello.”
    “DADDY!!??”
    Markie and Luanna stared at each other.
    I revised my plans rapidly. I would study hard and turn myself into a toad.
    “I can explain, Luanna...” I began.
    “I think you