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“You gonna invite us in, little brother?”

“Wasn’t planning on it.”

“Declan!” Maureen smacked his chest as she walked Colleen into the house. “Come inside, boys.”

Sal smirked at Lannie as we walked into the house. The dog, who hadn’t left Lannie’s side, growled as Mac walked by. Mac looked down and snarled right back.

“Tucker! Friend,” Maureen called out, and the dog dropped to the floor, whining as he looked at Lannie.

“I know, boy. She did it to me too,” Lannie said, squatting down to scratch his ears.

“This is a nice place you have, Maura. Little small though.”

“Braesal O’Malley. Be nice!” Freyja chastised Sal and the look on Maureen’s and Lannie’s faces was comical.

“Mom, this is Freyja,” Colleen said, dragging Freyja over to Maureen. “She’s Ducky’s woman,” she whisper-yelled, as if I wouldn’t hear her. Freyja laughed, and I rolled my eyes at my niece.

“You have a woman?” Turning to Freyja, Maureen asked, “How did you lock him down?”

Freyja chuckled, and I said, “She literally tackled me to the ground.”

“I did not!”

“She pretty much did. Twice. Then when that didn’t work, she tackled Sal.”

“Oh my God, Mac, shut up.” Freyja covered her face with her hands.

It was clear my friends had bonded with Freyja. I guess rescuing a damsel in distress had that effect on people.

“I want to hear everything. But first, what are you doing here? And why didn’t you call me?”

Colleen’s eyes dropped to her feet. And Sal stepped forward.

“We haven’t found Tyran yet. Until we do, Colleen needs to stay here.”

Maureen looked at Lannie, who scowled at Sal. “What did he do?”

“Someone tried to break into her house. She called Mac, and he chased him off. But we know who it was and will deal with him when we get back.”

“Deal with him how?”

“Declan. How Sal does things in Boston is out of your jurisdiction,” Maureen said.

“Until he brings it here.” Lannie and Sal stared each other down, and I let out a frustrated breath.

“We should go,” I said.

“No, Declan will behave,” Maureen said. “And so will Sal.” She turned her glare on my boss. The dog, hearing the change in her voice, stood with a low growl.

Sal lifted his hands and took a step back.

“Tucker,” Maureen snapped. The dog immediately laid back down.

“Have you seen King?” Maureen asked Sal.

“No, we went to the station first, but Martha let us know Lannie had already gone home for the night.”

“Let’s go to the clubhouse for dinner. Hash always makes plenty.” Maureen grabbed her purse and coat.