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“Did they describe him?”

“Medium height and build. Average features. Sweetie thinks he was blond, Fr?ulein claims he was brown, Molly swears he was black going on gray.”

“You could ask a sketch artist,” said Harriet. “You did that once before, remember?”

Odelia did remember, only she’d been home in Hampton Cove that time, and her uncle had officiated the proceedings. Gran had pretended to be the witness, while being fed information by the actual witness, a cat named Big Mac. This time it would be practically impossible to pull off the same stunt: the corgis would have to talk to Max, who’d have to translate, so she could describe the kidnapper to the sketch artist. And she couldn’t even reasonably claim she’d actually seen the man, as they’d only arrived after he left.

“Sweetie did say he had a babyface, though Molly claims he had a long, thin face. They didn’t notice eye color or any other particular details.”

“An ordinary-looking man trying to abduct Tessa’s dog,” she said musingly.

“Could it be the same person who’s been trying to kill her?” asked Brutus.

“Could be,” she admitted.

“Aren’t there any cameras around here?” asked Max.

She glanced around, and caught sight of Chase, who was still talking to the police. He was the hero of the hour. The man who’d taken down the kidnapper. “I doubt it,” she said. Unless someone had fastened a camera to a tree. The kidnapper wasn’t stupid. He picked this place for a reason.

Chase came jogging up.“It’s in the hands of the police now,” he said. “I’m sure they know what they’re doing. They were surprised when I told them I’m a cop myself.” He waved as the cop car sped by, the kidnapper in the back.

“That guy just became public enemy number one,” said Odelia.

“He claims he doesn’t know who the client was. He was contacted by text, and only met the guy for the first time today.”

“So what did he look like, this mystery man?”

“Medium build, medium height, average face… He was wearing a ball cap to partially obscure his features.”

“Hair color?”

“He figures the man was bald, hence the ball cap.”

Odelia groaned in frustration. Four witnesses and four different descriptions.

“Let’s get back to the cottage,” said Chase. “We don’t want to keep Her Royal Highness waiting.”

The Queen, in a highly unusual initiative, had instructed Odelia and Chase to return her precious corgis. Apparently she didn’t trust anyone at this point, and Chase and Odelia were, after all, highly regarded by Tessa and Dante.

The corgis had been checked out, and were returned to the Queen’s Range Rover. This time Chase took the wheel, while Bart took the wheel of the second Rover, and together they drove back to the cottage, Chase following behind Bart, who knew the way—or had a good command of the royal GPS.

“I’m so glad he didn’t sell us to the highest bidder,” said Harriet from the backseat.

“I’m glad, too,” said Odelia.

“He was going to keep Max,” said Dooley. “He liked him because he’s red and fat.”

Odelia smiled.“Max isn’t fat and he isn’t red. He’s big-boned and blorange. Isn’t that right, Max?” When Max didn’t respond, she looked over. The little guy had tears in his eyes. “Oh, sweetie,” she said, and took him on her lap.

“I love you, Odelia,” Max breathed, choking up.

“And I love you, sweetie,” she said, and gave him a cuddle.

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“Oh, get a room,” said Molly.

“Did she just call my name?” asked Sweetie.

“She said ‘sweetie,’ not ‘Sweetie,’” said Fr?ulein.

“Did you tell your human this kidnapper guy was going to sell us to the ruler of Dubai?” asked Molly. “Which wouldn’t have been all that bad.”

“I think all’s well that ends well,” said Fr?ulein.

“I guess so,” said Molly, a little dejected. Apparently she’d been looking forward to her Dubai adventure.

“You were never going to be sold to anyone,” I said. “The kidnapper wanted to kidnap Fluffy as a way of getting back at Tessa.”

“Such bad taste,” said Sweetie, shaking her head at so much foolishness.

“Someone’s been trying to hurt Tessa for days. And it’s very well possible that they planned to use Fluffy to lure Tessa into a trap.”

“Smart thinking, Max,” said Odelia. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Was the Queen worried about us?” asked Molly.

I translated her words for Odelia’s sake.

“The Queen was worried sick,” she said.

“Oh,” said Molly, and thought for a moment. “I like the Queen,” she said finally. “She’s been very good to us over the years.”

“She has,” confirmed Sweetie. “I’m actually glad we weren’t sold to Dubai.”

“How about you, Odelia?” asked Dooley. “Did you miss us?”

She smiled.“Of course. I wouldn’t have known what to do if something had happened to you. I love you guys so, so much.”

The corgis were speechless.“Does she really mean that?” asked Sweetie.

I relayed the message and Odelia responded,“Of course. They’re my babies.”

“Mh,” said Molly, as if she found it hard to believe anyone could care that much for a cat.

“I guess we learned a valuable lesson today,” said Fr?ulein.

“What’s that?” asked Sweetie.