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“How long will it take Gemma to transform herself into Marilyn Monroe?” Grandpa asked.
I pursed my lips. “A good forty minutes.”
“Let’s get it done,” Dad said.
Mom let out a whistle. “Edgar! Come.”
Edgar trotted over, carrying the half-eaten rabbit in his mouth.
“In you go.” Mom gestured at the dog kennel.
Edgar walked in, and I closed the gate. “See, he had a family once.”
“Yes, he did, and I’d like to have a talk with them,” Mom snarled.
“Me too.” I grimaced as Edgar chomped down the rabbit’s head. “C’mon Julie, we have some phone calls to make.”
“Explain this Betty Boop to me.”
“I will.”
Dad yelled, “Tess, what did you do with my Mandalorian costume?”
“It’s in the hall closet, where it’s always been,” Mom yelled back.
Chapter Twelve
“The CIA goons have been dealt with, and Dante is changing into his costume,” Dad announced in my ear.
The knot in my stomach eased. “Good to know. There are eight CIA thugs in the parking lot. All are heavily armed. I gave Hank a heads up and he’ll be waiting for us at the check-in desk.”
“Copy that. Any news from your mother?”
“She landed at the Refuge and Dante’s family is safe.”
“Copy that. On our way down.”
“Ten four.” I slid on my oversized sunglasses.
Julie strutted next to me. “I look fabulous.”
“Yes, you do.” I thought Lucas was going to swallow his tongue when he saw her. I had to admit between her curly black wig; red polka dot vintage cocktail dress and her black stilettos she made a damn fine Betty Boop.
One of the CIA thugs headed our way.
I sashayed over to him. “Hello handsome.” I ran a long red fingernail down his chest. “Are you coming to the party?”
“What party?” His gaze roamed over my platinum blonde wig, cherry red lips, and fixed on my cleavage.
I pouted. “We come every other Saturday to cheer up the sick kids and the other patients. Are you feeling ill?”
“Who is she supposed to be?” The thug pointed to Julie.
“Why, she is Betty Boop and he’s Batman.”
The thug took a nervous step backward when Lucas appeared. “I’m going to call this in. You’re not supposed to be…”
Lucas dropped him with one punch.