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“This is really just a look-see.”

“Yeah, that’s what I said about Yoda.” He wagged when Sonya gestured toward him. “Look and see.”

They started downstairs just as the doorbell bonged.

“Talk about timing.”

“Doesn’t that man have a key?” Cleo asked.

“He does, but he’s Trey. He’d think emergency only.”

Yoda was already dancing at the door, and bulleted out to greet Mookie when Sonya opened it.

“He thinks he’s the lucky one,” Trey commented. “But I’m the one taking two beautiful women to dinner.”

“Has the Mook had his?” Cleo asked.

“He has.”

“Then I’d say we’re set.” She picked up the tug rope, offered it.

And the games began.

“You boys behave.” She stepped out, rose up to kiss Trey. “More luck, going out to dinner with a handsome man. Or will it be two handsome men?”

“Owen’s meeting us. Apparently Jones is staying home and watching his favorite movie.”

“And what might that be?” Cleo wondered as they walked to Trey’s car. “Scooby-Doo?101 Dalmatians?”

“King Kong, the original.”

“You’re kidding.”

Trey shook his head as he held car doors open. “Don’t ask me why, but Jones goes for it. And clearly roots for Kong.”

“I get the second part.” Sonya glanced back at Cleo, got a nod of agreement. “You take a giant ape out of his kingdom, try to merchandise him, what do you expect?”

Then she touched a hand to his arm. “Can you tell us how it went with your friend, and her kids?”

“It wasn’t pretty, but in the end, he won’t fight her for custody or for relocating. He’s angling for a deal on the charges.”

“I hate that,” Cleo muttered from the back seat, and Trey glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

“I understand that. The deal, if it happens, helps clear the way for my client to get herself and her kids back with family out of state. More, it’ll spare her the need to return here for a trial. I don’t see the prosecutor going for less than fifteen for that guilty plea.”

“Is your client okay with that?” Sonya wondered.

“She just wants to feel safe, for her kids to feel safe. That means going back with her mother and her sister. And that’s my priority.”

Cleo leaned forward, put a hand on Trey’s shoulder. “Of course it is, and should be. I’d never make it as a lawyer because I’d want to burn his balls off with a lighter. It would take a long time to manage that.”

Trey flicked her another glance. “Remind me to stay on your good side.”

“I’d say you’re safe there. I met your daddy yesterday, and I liked him too much to ever burn his son’s balls.”

“Thanks, Dad. How’d that go? I didn’t have a chance to talk to him today.”

“I think we understand Patricia Poole a lot better now, and I’m going to try to talk to Gretta Poole, at some point anyway. And we had some things happen I haven’t told you about yet. I thought we’d wait and tell both you and Owen. We were fine,” Sonya added. “We are fine.”