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We trudged down the stairs and padded into the kitchen, waiting for Odelia to join us, fresh from the shower and ready to start preparing breakfast. We didn’t have to wait long. She breezed in, wearing ultra-short Daisy Dukes, pockets showing on the bottom, a canary yellow T-shirt that announced she was ‘Crazy Cat Lady’ and pink Converse sneakers. She started up the coffeemaker and switched on the TV to watch the news.

“Ugh. The Kenspeckles are still in town,” she said as she dumped Corn Flakes into a bowl and poured milk on top of it and a few spoonfuls of sugar. “I keep hoping they’ll leave, but that obviously isn’t happening.”

“Who are the Kenspeckles?” asked Dooley.

We’d all hopped up on the kitchen counter barstools and were watching Odelia’s breakfast preparations intently. As soon as she’d finished preparing her own breakfast, we knew she’d start on ours.

“Just some family whose lives have been turned into a reality show,” she said. “The only reason I’m interested is because they decided to spend the summer in Hampton Cove and Dan keeps pushing me to do a piece on them. I’d rather poke my eye out with a fork than to come anywhere near them.”

“Why Hampton Cove?” I asked.

She shrugged.“Cause it’s the Hamptons. Cause it’s the place where all the cool people hang out. Cause after shooting a gazillion shows in LA they like to shake things up. I don’t know and I don’t care. I’m not a fan.”

That much was obvious.“You don’t like the Kenspeckles?” asked Harriet.

“Nope. Too much talk. I like a show with a little action and a great story.”

“LikeGame of Thrones,” said Brutus, nodding.

“Yuck. A show where people’s heads get chopped off? No way.”

“I know what you like,” said Brutus. “You like to watch the game.”

She stared at him.“Game? What game?”

“Football, of course! At Casa Chase we watch it all the time.”

“At Casa Odelia we watchThe Voice,” I said.

Brutus made a face.“The Voice? Are you crazy?”

“It’s all about singing, Brutus. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”

“I like singing,” he said with a quick glance at Harriet. “In fact, I love it. ButThe Voice? I thought you said you liked action and a great story, Odelia?”

“It doesn’t get any better than Blake and Adam,” she said, taking a seat and scooping up her flakes. “Add in some great songs and I’m hooked.”

Brutus shook his head. It was obvious he didn’t agree. “To each his own.”

The sliding glass door in the living room opened and Odelia’s mom walked in. “Good morning, family. And what a glorious morning it is.”

A slim woman with long blond hair just like her daughter, Marge Poole was wearing hers in a messy bun this morning. Her white polka-dot shirt was belted with a thin leather sash and she was donning skinny black slacks. She gazed at us through horn-rimmed glasses and gave us a smile and a wave.

“Hey, Mom,” said Odelia. “Aren’t you the sight for sore eyes?”

“Oh, just my work clothes,” said Mom with a deferential gesture.

Marge Poole was a librarian and ran the Hampton Cove library.

“I’d certainly borrow a book from you, Mrs. P,” said Dooley.

“Dooley!” Harriet hissed.

“What? I would,” said Dooley.

“She’s a human and you’re a feline. That’s just wrong.”

He frowned.“Why can’t I borrow a book from her? I know my ABCs.”

“Oh, you mean an actual book?”

“Of course. Why else would I go to the library?”

“I just thought…” She rolled her eyes. “Never mind.”

“We were just talking about Chase,” said Brutus.

“No, we weren’t,” said Odelia. “We were talking about the Kenspeckles.”

“Chase is such a nice young man,” Marge said. “And such a blessing for this town. Your uncle Alec keeps telling me he’s so glad Chase decided to stay put instead of going back to New York to shoot with the big boys.”

“Run with the big boys,” Odelia corrected automatically.

“That’s what I said. He could have had any job he wanted with the NYPD but he chose to stay in Hampton Cove. Isn’t that just wonderful?”

“Super,” Odelia murmured. “They should give him the keys to the city.”

“I’m sure glad he stayed,” said Harriet, practicing her best starry-eyed look on Brutus. “I don’t know what I would do without my Brutus.”

“Me neither, honey bunch,” said Brutus.

Mom stood watching the syrupy scene with cocked head.“Aw, isn’t that sweet? Young love.”

“It’s the best,” muttered Odelia, not impressed.

“Shouldn’t you be home with Chase right now?” I asked Brutus.

“Yeah, he’ll wonder where you are,” said Dooley.

“I’m sure he doesn’t mind me spending the night with my girlfriend.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t,” said Marge. “Chase strikes me as a man who appreciates love and affection. For a police officer he’s very much in touch with his feelings.” She gave Odelia a meaningful look.

Odelia threw up her hands.“Don’t hold anything back, Mom.”

“Well, I won’t. Detective Kingsley is a wonderful young man, extremely handsome and very sweet and you could do a lot worse than him. And he’s single, which I’m sure he won’t be for long so you better move fast.”

“I told you already. I’m not interested in Chase Kingsley.”