"We've already got those here and at my shop." I shook my head. "That settles it. The thieves must be from out of town. Nobody in Dead End would break intoyourhouse."
"The twins told me earlier that they'd be sure to put cameras by the road next to your shop, too," Jack told me. Then he turned to Carlos. "Are you sure it's related? You have more than a few enemies because of your job, I'm guessing."
Carlos shrugged. "This is also true. But I have scented the three who were in my home and didn't recognize any of them. I will identify them if you find them."
The look on his face almost made me feel sorry for the culprits.
"IfIfind them?" Jack shook his head. "Not my circus, not my monkeys. I'm not law enforcement anymore and won't be again. Andy—"
"With all due respect to my sister's colleague," Carlos cut in smoothly, "I don't have as much faith in him as she does. He's very young."
"When is Susan coming home? Is she okay?" I didn't want to pry, but I was worried about her.
"She's … fine," he said, his frown not matching his words. "She insists on handling the situation on her own. If things intensify, I will help whether or not she wants me to."
"Of course," I said. "She's family. Let me know if there's anything I can do. I didn't want to bother her, but I can at least text and say hello."
"Perhaps wait a week. She doesn't need to be distracted right now."
Thatwas mysterious. And not at all enlightening.
I sighed. Stupid resolution not to pry.ThisNew Year's resolution was going to be easier to keep. Like, I'd resolve to take two naps a day. Maybe not easier to keep, but definitely better for my health and morale.
"I should go," Carlos said, rising. "Shall I wash this plate?"
"Sure. But wait—let me take a picture.The Supernatural Enquirerwould probably pay me big bucks to see Mr. Super-Important Vampire Council guy washing dishes." I pretended to check my pockets for my phone, and Carlos started laughing.
"Oh, Tess. I sometimes wish I could hug you. You lighten my heart," he said, smiling down at me. "Take good care of her, tiger."
Jack stood, too, and put a hand on my shoulder. "We take care of each other."
"A rare thing, indeed," Carlos said, and I caught a trace of wistfulness on his face.
I squashed the urge to ask how things were with him and Dave—not prying again—and just followed the guys to the front door. We said our goodbyes, but then Carlos paused on my front porch and turned back to us, grinning widely.
"I almost forgot to tell you this. One of my … associates stopped by your pawnshop a few months ago. He was curious about you after I'd spoken of you. He wound up buying a 'surprise potion' from you and now he keeps bursting into song, belting out random show tunes at all hours of the day," he said, laughing. "This is a very dangerous man, you understand. To see him stand up in the middle of a meeting and start singingDefying GravityfromWickedis hilarious."
I laughed at the thought, but Jack didn't look amused.
"Why did you allow a 'very dangerous man' near Tess?"
"I didn't know he'd gone there until afterward. Be sure that I've now warned all dangerous people to stay away. He said you were friendly, and the 'we don't buy vampire fangs, ever' sign made him like you even more."
I put my hands on my hips and aimed a serious stare at both of them. "I can take care of myself. And to be honest, if he got one of the Surprise Potions, he's lucky he just got show tunes. It could have turned him into a ferret."
"Why in the world would anybody take an unlabeled magic potion?" Jack asked, giving me an incredulous look. "I mean, that's just asking for trouble. And then going one step further and actuallypayingfor it."
"People like to take risks. Maybe they could have woken up with superpowers. You don't know," I said, my cheeks warming. I'd once tried a drop or two of a sparkly pink potion in my coffee. Then I'd spent the day wearing tiaras made of flowers that kept reappearing every time I removed them.Soembarrassing.
But not dangerous, thankfully.
And not ferret-like.
"If I'd gotten that one, I wonder if my singing would have improved, or if I'd just be belting out songs in my current 'can't carry a tune in a bucket' voice?" I wondered out loud.
And then I caught both men trying to hide their flinches.
"Very nice, you two.Verynice. And after I saved you a slice of pecan pie, Carlos."
