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“No! I’m alive and well. I’m stuck with the client going through the particulars of the security detail they want. It’s more complicated than I thought. I just stepped out to call you but I can’t take long. I won’t make dinner tonight.”

“We’ll miss you,” I said, my racing heart returning to normal. “Do you want me to bring leftovers home?”

“Yes, and don’t eat them on the way.”

“I’ll do my best,” I said, primly, and disconnected. “Solomon can’t make it,” I explained to Tara and Sadiq even though I was sure they caught the gist of our conversation as they waited patiently for the call to finish.

“Then we’ll have to do this again another night. How are you fixed for…” said Tara, trailing off. She squinted and I followed her gaze out the window. “Is that Maddox?” she asked.

“Waving frantically to us?” I replied, following her gaze. Maddox was across the street, collar undone, shirt sleeves rolled up, and smiling. His usually unruly brown hair was freshly cut and he had a smattering of stubble.

“Yeah.”

Sadiq twisted in his seat and waved. “I thought he had a hot date tonight,” he said.

“He had a date?” I asked, my mind immediately whirring. “Who? Where? What?”

Maddox jogged across the street and burst through the doors, grinning as he approached the table. “You ordered without me!” he said.

“No one invited you,” I replied.

“And yet there’s an unoccupied chair with silverware and a plate.” Maddox dropped into the chair and reached for a napkin. “Hey, gang. This is nice.”

Tara poured water into the glass at the now occupied setting, apparently not at all bothered at Maddox’s self-invite. “Sadiq said you were supposed to be on a date,” she said.

“You had a date?” I asked, again.

Maddox flashed a smile at me, his blue eyes sparkling. “I have dates most nights, babe.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Babe?”

“Trying it out, darling.”

“Darling?”

“Sweetheart?” He winked at me.

I rolled my eyes. The man was incorrigible. Not only that, but perpetually sweet. I couldn’t be mad at his teasing… not if I was going to get my own back.

“Sadiq says you’re going to Berlin next week,” said Tara, holding back a laugh.

Maddox nodded. “Let me make a note that Sadiq tells you everything. Did he tell you we’re working with Interpol too?”

“He didn’t.”

“I didn’t tell them we’re in spitting distance of catching our thief either. We’ve been after this woman for a long time,” said Sadiq. “But she’s so damn slippery. Nothing sticks to her.”

“We’ll get her,” said Maddox. “One way or another.”

“Maybe you should hire Lexi,” said Tara.

“Actually, getting a woman on the team might be a good idea,” said Sadiq. “A woman might get nearer than we can, although we’ve come pretty close.”

“I like the idea of seeing Lexi and our target squaring up.” Maddox grinned and I knew he wasn’t thinking entirely professional thoughts.

“You have the hots for her,” I said decidedly.

“I do not!”

“You do too.”

“Babe.”

“Do you?” asked Sadiq. “She is reportedly beautiful, although I’m not entirely sure what she actually looks like since her appearance changes every three minutes. Interpol’s not even absolutely sure it’s her in Berlin. Their case seems mostly based on supposition and rumor.”

“Then why are you going?” I wondered.

“Just in case. If she’s in Berlin, something is about to be stolen, and whatever it is will be worth a fortune.”

“Is there a reason we’re not saying her name?” I asked.

“I’m afraid of summoning her,” said Maddox.

“Cass. Temple,” I said her name slowly.

Maddox made the sign of the cross over his chest. “Don’t say her name three times or when facing a mirror!”

“She’s not the bogeyman,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

“I’m also not confirming that’s who we’re talking about.” Maddox shoved a piece of bread into oil, then into his mouth.

“Shouldn’t you leave this minute?” asked Tara. “Won’t she be gone by next week?”

“That’s what I said, but the powers-that-be, meaning our bosses, want positive confirmation before we get on a flight as well as a reasonable idea of what she’s up to. Temple’s already cost the bureau a lot of money in chasing around after her. If catching her wouldn’t be such a big win, I’m sure they would have given up by now,” explained Sadiq.

“Aha!” I said, on hearing her name.

“Damn it,” said Sadiq, not at all sadly, and pulled a face.

“She sounds like a dream criminal to catch,” said Tara. “A real career boost. Could an arrest like that lead to a promotion?”

“More like a nightmare and an office in the basement,” countered Maddox as the server began to set sharing plates on the table. “You ordered squid! Great! Can we get another dish of this, and another bread basket?” he asked the server and she nodded.

“What are you doing in the neighborhood anyway?” I asked. “Shouldn’t you be on this date?”

Maddox shrugged. “Maybe I already got it over with and just happened to be passing and here you all are, all my favorite people, except your mom. I call it serendipity, especially since I was getting hungry. Where’s your lesser half?”

“Huh? Me? If you mean Solomon, he’s held up at work.” I did my best not to rise to Maddox’s teasing but I was fairly sure if I pressed my heel just a few inches to my left, I might cause him to hobble home.

“Bank robbery gone wrong? Again?” he quipped. “Good thing I’m here to eat Solomon’s share. Isn’t this the best night for everyone?” And with that, my three companions dove into the food, so after a deep sigh, I figured I better get on with the eating too.

An hour later, our stomachs full, and several fresh dishes ordered to go for Solomon, we said our goodbyes, hugging outside the restaurant.

“Where are you parked?” asked Maddox.

“At the agency.”

“I’ll walk you there. I’m parked a block beyond.”

“It’s nice to hear you’re dating,” I said.

“I don’t remember saying I ever stopped,” he replied, strolling along beside me, his hands in his pockets.

“Well, I’m just glad you are.”

“Oh, stop fishing,” he said. “I know you’re dying for all the details.”

“I am not!”

“My sex life is not your business.”

“I didn’t ask!”

“We both know that’s what you were thinking. You’re a married woman, Lexi, you’ve got to leave us bachelors alone!”

“I am!”

“You can look but you can’t touch!”

“I wasn’t—”

“Jealousy isn’t becoming.”

“I’m no—oh, I see! You’re winding me up.” I contemplated thwacking him with the takeout bag but I didn’t want to risk the taramasalata exploding on impact and coating the other packages in pink sauce.

“You’ll always have a place in my heart,” said Maddox, sliding an arm around my shoulders and giving me a warm squeeze. Then he dropped his arm and continued, “But I’m afraid it’s just not going to happen between us, no matter how much you beg.”

“I didn’t b—“

“I have too much respect for both of us,” he carried on, apparently oblivious to my protestations. “And there’s also a lot of beautiful and crazy women out there. It’s only fair I date them all while you sit at home, on your couch, eating your ice cream, wondering where your husband is, and contemplating how life got you there.”

“I don’t—” I started, then I stopped. Eating ice cream alone on the couch had been on tonight’s plans before Tara suggested dinner.

“While I jetset around the world,” he continued.

“You’re flying coach, aren’t you?”

Maddox ignored that. “—Champagne in hand.”

“Expenses won’t even pay for sparkling water.”

“—Staying in glamorous hotels.”

“Not on the Fed’s budget.”

“—Chasing the international criminal elite.”

I had to admit that did sound fun. But before I could say anything else, my phone rang. I reached for it, hoping it was Solomon with news of a case so wild that I wouldn’t have any choice but to rub it in Maddox’s face.

Instead, it was my mom.

“Are you home?” she wanted to know.

“Not yet. I’m just walking to my car at the agency.”

“Can you drop by on your way home?”

“Hi, Mrs. G,” called Maddox.

“Adam Maddox, is that you? Oh, he’s such a nice young man,” said my mom. “You really missed out there.”

Maddox gave me a smug look. “Thanks for the muffins,” he spoke into my phone.

“Tell him he’s welcome. Such a nice boy. I’ll miss him when he’s in Germany but he always brings such nice treats home from his trips. It’s very exciting.”

“You bring my mom treats?” I mouthed and Maddox’s grin got wider. “How do you know he’s going to Germany? Where else has he brought you gifts from?” I asked.

“Make sure you drive in from the south side,” said Mom, ignoring my question. “The Dugans are landscaping. It’s going to be so nice now they know for sure there’re no more dead bodies under their yard. I told your father he needs to cut the lawn or we’ll tarnish the whole neighborhood. You have to take a look.”

“I’ll make sure I do.”

“And bring Adam with you. I won’t take no for an answer!”

“You can drive,” said Maddox, his grin so wide I could probably fit the whole takeout bag inside.

By the time I turned onto my mom’s street, I’d almost forgotten about the landscaping she wanted me to see and was approaching from the opposite direction.

“I’m not comfortable with letting your mom down. Keep driving to the Dugans’ place,” said Maddox when I slowed near my parents’ house as I searched for a space big enough to fit my car. Unfortunately, everyone parking on the street today seemed to have zero spatial awareness, and I wasn’t prepared to park nose in, trunk hanging out in the street. That kind of parking was strictly for emergencies.

“I have no idea why I let you come along,” I said, but I kept driving.

“My sparkling personality.”

“Nope. It’s not that.”

“I’m the only thing to stop you from eating the doggy bag.”

I glanced at the bag lodged in the rear footwell. He had a point.

Maddox followed my gaze. “Damn. I really thought it was my sparkling personality.”

I flipped on the blinker and turned, parking across the street from the corner house, and peered out the window. “Wow. Mom wasn’t kidding when she said how much work they were doing. This might end up being the best house on the street,” I said.

The Dugans’ front fencing had been ripped out and replaced with new white pickets. A camellia tree had been dug into the center of what would be the lawn and ringed with a bed of lavender. The dirt had been turned over, ready for the rolls of new turf stacked to the side of the path. Flower beds had been planted under the first-floor windows and a gloriously stuffed hanging basket flanked the front door. A Bobcat mini digger was parked in the back yard, just visible through the gates.

I’d met the homeowners and knew they deserved a lovely home after the fright they’d endured recently.

Maddox leaned forward to get a better look. “I like that they’ve kept the original porch and the woodwork rather than try and turn it into a dwarf McMansion. Plus, I really want to drive that Bobcat.”

I held back a laugh. Of course he did. I wanted to too.

“Where would you drive it?” I asked.

“Into the backyard and then I’d dig stuff up.” He sighed happily.

“You sound like a four-year-old.”

“Thank you.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.”

“I took it as one.” He nudged me. “What if they had two Bobcats? We could team up to dig stuff. Winner takes all!”

“All the dirt?” I gave him skeptically raised eyebrows.

“Maybe there’s more treasure.”

“I’m pretty sure they’ve turned over every inch of their yard just in case.”

“Stranger things have happened.”

I thought about all the strange things that had happened since that fateful day I’d walked into an insurance agency as an unenthusiastic temp and met Maddox in his undercover role while he was amassing evidence for a huge fraud. If I’d made a list of all the crazy events that had happened since that day, it would look like pure fiction.

“The Dugans did the right thing in buying a house they could extend and grow into. That’s exactly what I would do.”

I glanced at him. “Are you in the market for a house?”

“No, I like my apartment. Besides, I’m not at home often enough to justify wanting a bigger place or a yard to manage. Plus, there’s only me and I have plenty of space for me. Also, it would be nice to pay off my mortgage this decade rather than be enslaved to the bank forever.”

“I wonder what they’ll do with the remodeled garage,” I said.

“Playroom? Home office? A den just for the adults? Oh! A games room!”

“Don’t tell me you’d put a bar in there too.”

Maddox grinned. “Okay.”

“They have a nice sized lot,” I said. “They could have a great swing set for the kids, an ample seating area, and still have plenty of lawn in the back.”

“You sound almost wistful.”

“No, just curious about what they’ll do with the land. I’m sure Mom will keep me updated.” She’d probably send surveillance photos, exact dimensions, and a vision board too. For once, I was in full agreement with that.

“I’m sure she’ll keep the whole town updated. Has she succeeded in making fast friends with the owners?”

“Yes,” I said. “Mostly through not giving them a choice.” I turned the engine back on and pulled a U-turn, then headed back along the street before pulling up in a recently vacated space in front of my parents’ pretty, white-and-yellow-painted house that resembled an egg more than it did a daisy. Mom was right; the lawn was looking a little overgrown and it lacked the whimsical charm of the Dugans’ decorative planting. So much for my Dad’s relaxed gardening years during retirement; it didn’t look like he’d maintained it in weeks.

As we walked along the path to the door, I became more puzzled by the lack of tending. Dad was usually as house proud as Mom, so the unkempt borders were particularly unusual. And was that peeling paint by the windows?

“Hey,” I called as we walked in. “Where are you? Is everything okay?”

“Kitchen,” called Mom.

We headed into the kitchen and found my mother at the long table, a variety of magazines spread around her and a large cork pinboard in front of her. Several glossy cut-outs had been arranged on the pinboard. “I’m making a vision board for the Dugans,” she said, looking up. “They said they weren’t sure what they wanted to do in the backyard so I figured I’d be a good neighbor and help them out. I’ll take it over to them later. Plus, I can use it as credit for my garden design course at the Adult Education Center.”

“You’re studying garden design?”

“One can only love a square lawn for so long without getting bored of it. Hello, Adam. That’s a lovely shirt you’re wearing. That shade of blue really brings out your eyes.”

“Thanks,” Maddox beamed. “I’ll make sure to wear it when I take you out to dinner after my trip.”

“You’re going out to dinner?” I frowned. “Together?”

“How else should I thank your mom for all the sweet things she does? Dinner is the least I can do.”

“I don’t know. A text message?”

“Lexi’s a grouch because we didn’t invite her,” said Maddox, clearly enjoying this.

“She won’t get an invitation with that attitude,” said Mom right before she reached for her black-handled scissors and snipped an image of a floral border from an open magazine. She added it to the vision board with a triumphant flash of her hands.

“You’ve got the knack,” said Maddox as he moved to look over my mother’s shoulder. “That’s a beautiful color scheme and I like all the texture.”

“Oh, get a room, you two,” I huffed under my breath.

“Are you two working a case together?” asked Mom.

“No, we just went out for dinner with Tara and Sadiq,” said Maddox.

“And you’re upset we’re going out to dinner when you’ve just been to dinner?” asked Mom, giving me a quizzical look.

“She is,” said Maddox promptly. “And she has leftovers in the car!”

“I am not! And Maddox gate-crashed. Solomon couldn’t make it so the leftovers are for him.”

“He works too hard. How are you ever going to have a baby when he works those hours?” Mom’s attention returned to the vision board. “I need more foliage.”

“You’re having a baby?” asked Maddox, his gaze moving to my stomach.

“No,” I said without adding not for lack of trying. It had been a few months and still nothing. Then I tried to hold in my stomach.

“The world remains relatively safe from a tiny, chaos-causing Mini Lexi,” said Maddox, still staring. I wished he would stop; I needed to breathe. I could only suck it in for so long before I popped.

“You’ll make a wonderful father one day,” said Mom, beaming at him.

“If Solomon doesn’t step it up, I’m happy to step in,” he said and Mom laughed and batted his arm with her hand while I tried not to scowl at them. I didn’t know what had gotten into me today. My family were so warm and welcoming, and Maddox’s own family were aloof. Why should I mind that he was so ingrained with mine? After all, they’d practically adopted Lily as their own too, and that was long before she married my brother. Maybe it was because Maddox was my ex. Maybe it was because of the relentless teasing my brothers subjected him to back when he was my boyfriend and on the force, although they all loved him now. Maybe it was because it almost seemed like my family preferred Maddox to me? I gulped down the horrible thought and shook it away. Of course they didn’t prefer him! They just liked him. Everyone did. I did!

Maddox was a great guy.

He was also a butthead, but two truths could co-exist.

“You just missed Daniel,” said Mom. “He’s a changed man since leaving the police force.”

“I helped him organize his garage only last weekend,” said Maddox. “You should see it. New pegboard for tools, not that he has many, but now they all have a place. And spaces for all kinds of garden equipment and a new area for Alice to organize her nursing equipment. We had a barbecue after.”

“Daniel mentioned how pleased he was to tackle another house chore now that he has the time,” said Mom. “And he mentioned how much he’s looking forward to the FBI academy. Do you think they’ll post him here when he graduates?”

“I have no idea but it’s likely. He has an excellent working knowledge of the area and its lowlifes.”

“Imagine if you’ll be working together. You, Daniel and Sadiq. Won’t that be wonderful? Don’t you think, Lexi?”

“Wonderful,” I agreed, mostly meaning it.

“Lexi just wants more people to do her dirty work with federal computers,” said Maddox.

“I hardly ever!” I protested although the idea was pleasing. “Anyway, what did you want me to stop by for, Mom?”

“I need you to cheer up your father.”

“Why does he need cheering? What’s wrong?”

“Ever since I said I’d take over the yard work as part of my course, he’s been moping around the house like a lost soul. He needs something to keep him busy.”

“Can’t you give him back the yard work?” I asked, thinking about the unmown lawn.

“Not for the next six weeks. Instead, I’m giving your father to you.”

“Why me?”

“Garrett and Jord are busy with work. Daniel’s leaving for the academy soon. You’re the only one that’s left.”

“What about Serena?” I asked, thinking of my uptight sister.

“I don’t like to bother her. She’s always so busy.”

“Well, as much as I’d love to entertain Dad, I’m also busy.”

“No, you’re not,” snorted Maddox.

“Perhaps your father can help you on a case? He does so love to be involved, and it would be nice for you two to spend more time together,” said Mom.

I contemplated it. My dad was hugely knowledgeable and nice to be around. Yet he was retired and I’d assumed he was enjoying it. “I suppose it would be nice,” I said. At the very least, he and I could go for lunch while Maddox entertained my mom.

“Plus, if you don’t get him out from under my feet, there will be a new crime for you to solve,” added Mom.

I sucked a breath in through my teeth. “I’ll ask Solomon,” I said. “He is my boss. He might say no.”

I thought I heard my mom say not if he knows what’s good for him but it was so soft under her breath, I couldn’t be sure.

“Where’s Dad now?” I asked.

“Upstairs, watching YouTube videos on his laptop.”

“I could probably swing a ride-along with us,” said Maddox. “We can pitch it as information-sharing from a senior detective with decades of state and area knowledge. His years of experience will be a boon to us.”

Mom brightened. “He would love that. Did you hear that, Lexi?”

“I’m right next to you!”

“But it won’t be until we’re back from the Berlin trip,” Maddox added. The edges of his mouth frowning, clearly disappointed to let my mother down.

Mom turned to me and fixed me with a stare. At that moment, my phone rang. Saved by the Solomon!

“Where are you?” he asked.

“At my parents’. I have your food in the car. I’ll leave soon.”

“Can you bring it to the agency? A case just came in and I might want you on it.”

“Can I bring my dad?” I asked, leaping on the idea.

“Please do. His city knowledge might come in useful for the case.”

“Great! What’s the case?” I asked, hardly believing my stroke of luck in getting my mom off my back, potentially cheering up my dad, and scoring points off Maddox. Triple whammy!

“I’ll have more details when you get here.”

“I’ll drive as fast as I can!”

“Please don’t,” said Solomon before disconnecting.

“Solomon says yes,” I said. “So you’re welcome.” Turning to Maddox, I added, “We have to go. I’ll drop you at your car.”

“Terrific. This turned out to be an unexpectedly fun evening.”

“You could stay and help me with this if you like?” suggested Mom.

“Garden design isn’t my forte, plus, we came in Lexi’s car and I need her to return me to mine. I need to buy some groceries on the way home and get gas too. Maybe I’ll do some recycling. Who said being an adult wouldn’t be fun?” Maddox grinned. Mom hugged him first, then me, but mine was extra long so take that, Maddox.

I called down a sweats-wearing Dad and his excitement at being liberated was palpable after I explained there was a case and, while I didn’t know the particulars, could he join me? He told me he’d be ready in five minutes, and returned downstairs in two, wearing smart jeans and a navy polo, looking every inch the retired police detective.

Dad called shotgun, which was his right as the co-creator of my life, and we all hopped in. I returned Maddox to his car, and all the while, he deftly avoided answering any questions about his forthcoming trip or how they had tailed Cass Temple this far. The latter caught Dad’s attention and he fired myriad questions that Maddox batted away like they were plastic bullets. When he hopped out, he leaned back in and said, “I’ll send you a postcard from Germany.”

“Thanks! Are you sending my mom one?”

“I always do.”

“Do you send your mom a postcard?” asked Dad.

“I’m not sure my mom knows what a postcard is. Good luck with the new case, guys. Let me know if there should be any federal interest in it,” said Maddox.

“Absolutely,” I said, covering the “not” with a shallow cough.

“Do you think he’d steal your case?” asked Dad, looking after Maddox as he strolled away, apparently without a care in the world. It was almost like he was too chill about his international case, which made me suspicious. What was Maddox really up to? And just how personally interested in Cass Temple was he for him to act this nonchalant?

“Probably, if it’s interesting enough, but the client came to us for a reason. Let’s go find out what that reason is.”