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“Okay, fine. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But are you coming or not? Cause I’m planning this whole operation, and I need to know if I should engage Harriet and Brutus, or if I can count on you two.”

“You can count on us,” I said immediately. “We’re going to help you dig up dirt on that billionaire, and save Odelia from his clutches.”

“Now you’re talking,” said Gran, well pleased as she patted me on the head. “I knew you’d see the light.” She got up. “I’ll pick you guys up at eight o’clock sharp. Wait for me in front of the house. And whatever happens, don’t tell Odelia!”

“We won’t,” I promised her.

Once she was gone, Dooley was staring at me with a look of astonishment on his furry face.“I don’t understand, Max. I thought you said the whole thing was a big misunderstanding? That Odelia and Dexter aren’t having an affair?”

“They are not,” I assured my friend. “But I’ve always wanted to see what a billionaire’s home looks like, and how often do you get an opportunity like this?”

“Not often,” he admitted. “Still, it’s probably illegal what Gran is planning.”

“Oh, it’s extremely illegal. But that doesn’t mean it can’t also be a lot of fun.”

“Fun,” said Dooley unhappily. “Fun is having a nice nap on the couch. Fun is having a great night at cat choir. Fun isn’t being caught by a cat-eating maniac, or breaking into people’s homes.” He sighed. “I just hope this guy doesn’t think cats taste like chicken, too.”

CHAPTER 34

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I have to say I wasn’t all that keen on accompanying Gran on this excursion. She has a tendency of overdoing things and letting her zeal get her into trouble. Then again, Marge and Tex had also signed off on the plan, so perhaps it wasn’t as crazy a scheme as I thought it was.

And so the evening’s entertainment began. Marge and Tex were the first to leave, as they had to act as the distraction that would enable the rest of us to sneak in and do our business.

We rode with Gran and Scarlett, and as we approached the house, the old lady parked across the street, keeping a close eye on the Pooles, who at that moment had already gotten out of their car and were walking up to the house.

“This is it, you guys,” said Gran excitedly. “It’s happening!”

And it was. Tex applied his finger to the doorbell of what was arguably an impressive house, though not as impressive as some of the mansions I’d seen.

“It’s not as big as I thought it would be,” said Scarlett.

“No, it’s definitely not as big as Charlie Dieber’s house,” said Gran. “Or Donna Bruce’s old place.”

“Maybe he doesn’t like big houses?” Scarlett suggested.

“Or maybe he’s stingy,” Dooley suggested. “And that’s why his daughter ran off with her boyfriend to join the circus. Because he wouldn’t fund her lavish lifestyle, and allow her to live in the lap of luxury.”

“Let’s just wait and see what it looks like inside,” I suggested. “These places always look much bigger on the inside than the outside suggests.”

“Of course,” said Gran. “These billionaires try to be discreet and not attract too much unwanted attention.”

Whatever the case, Marge and Tex had been allowed into the house, and as they entered, Marge half turned and gave us a look of significance.

“And we’re on,” said Gran.

We got out of the car as quickly as possible, and moved up to the house.

“Looks like Marge managed to do as I asked,” Gran whispered, as she gently pushed against the door, which yielded to the pressure and easily swung open.

“Are you sure about this, Vesta?” asked Scarlett, experiencing those last-minute jitters.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Gran snapped, and without further ado entered the house.

We all followed in her footsteps, and when she told us to spread out and meet her back there in ten minutes, we didn’t waste any time, and did as we were told.

“I just hope he doesn’t have dogs,” Dooley intimated. “I like dogs, but not all dogs like cats.”

Gran and Scarlett disappeared upstairs, and Dooley and I decided to investigate the ground floor.

I could hear voices coming from somewhere nearby. Undoubtedly Marge and Tex were getting better acquainted with our Mr. Dexter.

“What are we looking for, exactly, Max?” asked Dooley.

“No idea. Anything that strikes us as interesting, I guess.”

“Gran wants us to find something increaminating,” said Dooley. “So maybe we should check the kitchen. Most humans keep their cream in the fridge.”

“I don’t think she was referring to cream,” I said. “She wants something she can use to blackmail the guy.”

“Why does Gran want to blackmail Mr. Dexter?”

“Because she believes he’s having an affair with Odelia, which he’s not.”

“It’s all getting very complicated, isn’t it, Max?” Dooley lamented.

We’d arrived at what looked like a study of some kind, with plenty of bookcases lining the walls, and a large desk with a laptop computer, that was humming pleasantly in the background.

“Oh, look,” said Dooley. “Mr. Dexter’s computer. Maybe it’s mining shitcoins.”