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out the door I spotted a deck of cards next to the lava lamp on his desk. I poked around a little, snooping. Riley had been on a huge Texas Hold 'Em kick for the past couple of months, and I had my suspicions he wasn't just playing for fun.
    He'd had a lot of extra money lately, and though he did do a fair amount of work for Mrs. Greeble, she, like a lot of the other residents in the Mill, was on a fixed income. She wouldn't have much money to spare.
    Finding nothing out of the ordinary, I backtracked, closing Riley's door behind me.
    In my room, I took a quick shower, towel-dried my hair, and slipped on a pair of jeans and a fleece pullover. I thought about makeup, but opted for moisturizer and lip balm instead.
    Downstairs, I heard the back door slam and the click clack of BeBe's paws on the kitchen floor. I think I even heard my mother call BeBe "schnitzel" as she poured kibble into the doggy dish. Brickhouse was obviously spending too much time in the neighborhood.
    I made my bed as the scent of coffee carried up the stairs. Outside, I heard a car struggling through the snow, and I went to the window. A dark Ford sedan slowed to a stop in front of my house. Lewy and Joe were back.
    Nothing like their presence to ruin the serenity of a beautiful day.
    My gaze skipped over their car to the house across the street. The blinds were still closed.
    It seemed silly to have come back home last night just to share a bed with my mother (who hogged covers), but I'd felt funny staying with Bobby.
    Well, staying with Bobby when Kevin knew I was with Bobby.
    Yep.
    The sooner Kevin left, the better.
    My cell phone rang. I checked the display, smiled.
    "Baby, it's cold outside," Perry said. "You'd better bundle up. I'll be there in an hour."
    I checked the window again. Lewy and Joe hadn't budged. And still no sign of the plows. "You do know there's a foot of snow on the ground?"
    "Foot, shmoot. I have a four-by-four."
    From the corner of my eye I spotted two turkeys waddle down the street as though they were taking a leisurely stroll, heads held high, tails fanned, and wings dragging. All down the block doors opened and people stepped onto their front porches to watch.
    It was quite a sight.
    "Where exactly are we going?" I asked, because personally, I didn't have a clue where to start.
    "On a manhunt, sugar." He laughed.
    "What's so funny?"
    "A manhunt. Oooh, I just love saying that."
    I laughed. "You're certifiable, you know that?"
    "One hundred percent." He took a moment, detailed the plan he had, then asked, "Are you game?"
    "There's probably a snow emergency in effect."
    "And this isn't an emergency? Finding Kit?"
    He had a point. "All right. I'm in." Exhaust puffed from the unmarked car's tailpipe. The two turkeys pecked around their tires. "Park down the block. I'll meet you there. And watch out for the turkeys."
    I flipped the phone closed before Perry commented, and smiled. Perry and I would be tracking down Kit while Lewy and Joe sat out front with the turkeys—right where they belonged.
    I just hoped Perry and I weren't headed on a wild goose chase.

Five

    Sneaking out of the house had been fairly easy. I'd simply walked into the back hall with a load of laundry, turned on the washer, and slipped out the back door.
    I'd left a note taped to the dryer that I'd be home soon. No need for my mother to worry—or to send out the FBI.
    My feet left deep impressions in the snow as I cut through three backyards before reaching the corner, where Perry had his black Range Rover idling. Gray snow caked the undercarriage and wheel wells.
    He threw open the passenger door, I jumped in, and he peeled out, as though he was Starsky and I was Hutch. Snow flew out behind us.
    Perry fairly bounced in his seat. "I have to say, Nina, this is the most excited I've been in quite some time."
    Drawing the seat belt over my shoulder, I smiled. "I'll be sure to let Mario know." The two had been together for just over a year.
    He laughed, a loud, deep,