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“Yes, you did,” I said, proud of my friend.

“Toodle pip,” he said. “It’s a nice clue.”

“It’s an excellent clue,” I said.

“It’s a super clue,” said Harriet. “But even though you’re now the big hero, Dooley, you’re still going to give me your solo spot, right? You promised?”

“Oh, of course,” said Dooley. “You can have my spot, Harriet.”

“And mine,” I said.

“And you can have mine, too,” said Brutus.

Harriet smiled. In fact she looked so happy that I decided right then and there she could sing all of my solos. I mean, I like to sing, but I don’t like to sing in front of my feline peers. Harriet likes to shine, and she was shining now, which warmed my heart.

And isn’t that what friendship is all about? Giving up a minor pleasure just to see that smile on a friend’s face? Or enjoying the fact that your best friend solved a case for once?

I think that’s what Marilyn forgot: that friendship isn’t about taking. It’s about giving. And the more you give, the more you get in return. Isn’t that just the strangest thing?

Odelia arrived with more burger patties, straight from her dad’s grill.

“These are a little charred on the edges,” she said apologetically.

“That’s all right,” I said. “We don’t mind.”

“Um… I only have three,” she said, frowning. “Odd. I thought I had four.”

“You can give mine to Max,” said Dooley.

“Yeah, give mine to Max, too,” said Harriet.

“And mine,” Brutus grumbled, a little more reluctantly.

See what I mean? The more you give, the more you receive. Though in this case I decided to give my portion to the dog next door. Too scorched for my taste.

I know I said cats will eat anything, but there are limits.

And besides. What else are dogs for, right?