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“Yeah, yeah. Tell that to my future husband who’s not to be. Oh, well. It was never going to work between us anyway. I guess he prefers the Scarletts of this world over the likes of little old me, and any man who has the bad taste of falling for Scarlett is a definite no-no. Been there, done that.” She smiled at her granddaughter, and it was as if the sun was breaking through the clouds. “Let’s you and I go on one of our adventures together, shall we? I need the distraction, and I could use feeling useful again for a change.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal, Gran,” said Odelia, and started up the car.

Chapter 22

Dooley and I were returning from our rendezvous with Kingman when a car stopped next to us and a familiar voice yelled,“Stick ‘em up, you punks!”

When I looked up, I found myself staring into the smiling face of Grandma Muffin.

“Just kidding,” she said. “Get in, will ya? And make it quick. I haven’t got all day.”

So Dooley and I got in, and Odelia stomped her foot on the accelerator and soon we were off at a decent clip, on our way to a destination or destinations unknown.

“So what have you guys been up to?” asked Gran, turning to chat.

“We just witnessed the launch of a new movement,” I said.

“Yes, Wilbur Vickery and Father Reilly are joining forces to fight Soul Science and get rid of them once and for all,” said Dooley, who’s never heard of the concept of diplomacy.

Gran frowned.“Francis and Wilbur? Get rid of Soul Science? But why?”

“Father Reilly says Omar is a blasphemer and worships fake gods,” I said.

“And Wilbur said that he’s a pied piper and he’s trying to steal all of Hampton Cove’s pets,” Dooley added.

“Nonsense,” said Gran. “They both must have had a hit on the head to talk such crap. I’ll have to have a word with Francis Reilly. Give the old codger a piece of my mind.”

“We’re actually going to interview one of Omar’s key people,” said Odelia. “Are you guys game to snoop around while we sit down with him?”

“Oh, sure,” I said. I’m always game to snoop around. In fact snooping around is what I do best. It probably constitutes the meaning of my life and is a source of great happiness.

“Why are you dressed like that, Gran?” asked Dooley.

“Like what? Don’t you like it?” asked Gran, flicking a speck of dust from her jacket.

“I like it,” said Dooley. “But you look like a politician.”

“I do, don’t I?” said Gran, sounding surprised. “Maybe I should go into politics.”

“I think you would make a great politician,” said Dooley.

“Please don’t encourage her, Dooley,” I whispered.

We’d arrived at our destination, and Odelia parked her car in front of the house of our next target.

“Are you sure this is where he lives?” she asked, glancing up at a house that looked a little past its prime. The facade paint was peeling in places, and the windows looked like they needed replacing.

“Yeah, I’m sure. And don’t be surprised when a woman my age opens the door. Jason lives with his mom and granny. Three generations under the same roof. Crazy, I know.”

She got out, and opened the door so Dooley and I could hop out.

She cracked her knuckles and said,“Let’s do this.”

She’d been right about an old lady opening the door, and when said old lady caught sight of Gran in her mauve pantsuit, she immediately said, “We don’t go in for politics around here,” and made to close the door.

Luckily Gran has mastered the technique of gently persuading people to let her in: she placed her foot in the door, then gave it a hearty shove, causing the old lady to yelp in surprise and stagger back.

“Hi there,” said Gran. “I don’t think we’ve met before but I’m a proud member of your grandson’s church. And in fact I’m here to discuss church matters with him.”

The woman’s lips tightened, then she yelled, “Jason! Someone from that horrible cult of yours is here to see you!”

A man came stomping down the stairs, and when he saw Gran, his face broke into a wide smile.“Why, Mrs. Muffin. To what do I owe the pleasure?” He was squat, with floppy brown hair, and had the word ‘Jason’ tattooed on his right cheek.

“You know this lady?” asked his grandmother.

“Yes, I do. She’s one of Master Omar’s top recruiters.”

But his grandmother apparently wasn’t as up to date on church matters as her grandson, for she shook her head and said, “Oh, for crying out loud,” and shuffled off.

“You have to forgive Gam-Gam,” said Jason, blushing a little. “She’s getting on in age.”

“That’s all right,” said Gran. “Senile people have rights, too. This is my granddaughter Odelia, by the way. You may remember her from last night’s meeting.”

“Of course,” said Jason, and courteously shook Odelia’s hand. “Contrary to Gam-Gam, I never forget a face, especially one as strikingly pretty as yours.”

“Cool your jets, buddy,”’ said Gran. “Odelia is engaged to a cop.”

“Oh,” said Jason, and lost some of his spark.

“And these are my cats,” said Gran. “The fat red one is Max and the skinny gray one is Dooley. So can we come in for a chat?”