“Are you trying to kill it or get it outside?” I glance at the door that’s still open.
“I’m not picky.” Poppy shifts, and now that my eyes have adjusted to their dark apartment, I can see the determination on her face. Her hair is in its usual ponytail, but it’s half fallen out.
“Do you want me to try?”
She shakes her head. “Nah, I feel better with this is my hand. You can use the broom.”
She nods her chin in the direction of the opposite corner. The bats circle around, and their tiny squeaks reach my ears. I don’t particularly like the idea of leaving Poppy’s side since she’s turning out to be a modern-day Batwoman, but I figure two of us trying to get them out of here is better than one.
I tug the bath towel that’s still around my neck up over my head. Can a bat bite through cotton? I don’t know, but some protection is better than none.
I duck and weave across the room and grasp for the broom. As I’m turning to face Poppy again, I hear the sound of the tennis racket connecting.
Poppy shrieks, which makes Rose shriek.
“Got one,” Poppy’s voice wobbles.
“Is it dead?” Rose asks. Her voice is muffled. I’m pretty sure she’s pulled a pillow over her entire head.
“Not sure,” Poppy says, her attention returning to the task at hand. I’ve got to hand it to Holland’s girlfriend—the woman has some hutzpah. If Holland were here, he would likely be hiding under the coffee table with Rose as opposed to taking on the bats with Poppy. I’ll admit to being impressed with Poppy’s ability to handle the situation at hand.
“We’ve got to get the other one,” she says.
I nod. My eyes haven’t left the other bat. I’m tracking it like my mom tracks the price of ground beef at the grocery store, waiting for a sale. I vaguely register the sound of emergency sirens in the distance, but I’m so focused on the second bat that I don’t pay them much mind.
I chance a quick glance at Poppy. She, too, has all her attention on the bat. It’s flown to the far side of the room now, so we’re biding our time.
“Come on. Come on,” I mumble.
“Wait for it,” Poppy whispers from across the room.
She and Rose seem to be all screamed out, and my eardrums are singing hymns of thanks.
I creep forward a foot to get a better angle as the bat flutters back in my direction. I’ve got the broom held over my shoulder, and when the bat comes at me, I give a swing that Babe Ruth himself would have been proud of.
Then, several things happen at once.
I connect with something, but it’s not a bat. It’s a human, who lets loose a string of choice words.
Poppy swings her racket and nails the bat, sending it straight out the front door. She sprints forward and slams it shut, sinking against it, only to pop back upright and flip on the lights. “Who are you?”
“Collin?” I say at the same time.
My best friend is rubbing his nose, which I unceremoniously nailed with my broom.
“Who’s Collin? Oh my gosh, did you call the police?” Poppy’s eyes are wide as she takes in Collin’s Cashmere Cove PD uniform. “Big! It was just a couple bats. I’ve seen worse. I had it handled.”
“Then why were you yelling like that?”
“They startled us! It was a reflex.” Her fists fly to her hips, and I can’t help but notice how adorable she looks when she gets a little defensive. “By the way, can we make sure the flue is closed on the fireplace. Pretty sure that’s how they got in.”
I bite back a couple curse words of my own, kicking myself for not thinking to check that before the Kasper sisters moved in. Also, I give myself a mental talking-to for thinking that Holland’s girlfriend is adorable. She’s not for me.
“Sure,” is all I say.
“Thanks.” Poppy turns to Collin. “Officer, I’m sorry to have wasted your time. We have everything under control.”
“No worries, ma’am.” Collin takes his hand away from his nose. It’s bleeding and already starting to swell. “Just doing my job.” He levels me with a murderous look. “I could arrest you for assaulting an officer.”
