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Her sweet expression Houdinied into thin air "I don’t think you tould work out that way"

"Oh, right, on account of you guys being married and all"

"That’s one take on it, yes"

Married people were so possessive

That was a little over a ht We became friends the moment we met

"Can I talk to you a minute?" I asked him As usual, he wore his short brown hair slicked down and kept his roohties or just really nerdy

And, just as Cookie had predicted, he’d taken to ured he’d felt sorry for the amnesiac the way you do for a carnival attraction But whatever the reason, he seee of that today

"Please" He folded the paper he was reading and gestured forthe carafe on the next table, I sat across froled, the ter crowd "I kind of have a situation, and I’ht be able to point ht direction"

"Oh" He squared his shoulders "What kind of a situation? Are you okay? Did so happen?"

"No No, I’m fine" His concern , and I wasn’t sure if you’d want , how?"

I didn’t knoor his faer Serious danger, from what I could tell "Okay, what if, hypothetically, I knew about a ainst his will Along with his entire family"

His pulse sped up, but just barely He’d probably seen it all Probably had a preposterous reports all the ti on a sharp edge

"What? Pfft No Maybe I don’t think so No Absolutely not" I drew in a deep breath "I ht"

"Then you need to report it to the police"

"I know I really do It’s just – I’o to the police and they rush over there with sirens blaring, et hurt Or even if dispatch sends a uniforet spooked and kill hi to understand what I was getting at Flooded with relief, I waited as Bobert took out a notepad and pen Once a detective, always a detective

Unfortunately, Cookie walked up "And just what are you two talking about?" she asked as she scooted into the booth beside her husband She gave him a quick peck

When I hesitated, it took hiure out why "Oh, it’s okay, hon Cookie helps us with cases all the time"

"Us?"

"Cases?" Cookie asked, surprised "We have a case?" Bobert gave her shoulders a squeeze, and they exchanged a pointed glance A little too pointed She nodded after a moment Cleared her throat Started over "Yes Yes, I do help with cases It’s more of a hobby, really"

Bobert nodded, too, and added his own "Yes, a hobby"

I waited for them to elaborate, but they just stared at me, their smiles forced They did that sometimes

"And who is ‘us’?"