Alien in the House

him.”
    “I’m worried that he’s in the cemetery Kitty’s going to,” Big George said. “That’s where he ran when you chased him, right?”
    “He ran in, yes, but if he kept on going, I think I have a guess as to where he went. Clarence was running all over the place when I was after him. He was trying to lose me. He gave that up finally and pretty much made a beeline for the cemetery. But while I think the Dingo’s there because he has a sense of humor, Clarence would never have the American history background to find hiding out where a Civil War traitor is buried funny, and we’ve established that he also has no sense of humor anyone’s aware of.”
    “So, where is he, if he’s not in the cemetery?” Christopher asked.
    “I think he’s somewhere he can sleep and get food without anyone paying much attention. I think he’s at Georgetown University somewhere. He can go into a student’s room and sleep—they’re not monitored and they’re on winter break. He can steal food easily, either on campus or at the Medical Center, which is there if he gets hurt.”
    “That’s brilliant,” Reader said.
    “If he’s there,” Christopher pointed out. “But before anyone asks, no, I didn’t search the colleges, other than the grounds.”
    “So, get Mossad over there on whatever pretext you like, then tell them why Clarence is a bigger danger than the Dingo.”
    “We’ll work it out.” Reader looked at Gower. “You’re not coming along.”
    Gower rolled his eyes. “I know. I get to be bored. You need Airborne, though. Because if Mossad says ‘screw you, we’re after the Dingo,’ you’re going to need help.”
    “Yep,” Reader said as Mom came back in.
    “We’re cleared to go, so my team, let’s move. Say your good-byes, we leave in five.” Got a hug and kiss from Mom, then she went to say good-bye to Dad and Jamie. Kevin followed her to go say good-bye to Denise and their kids.
    Jeff held me tightly then gave me his usual slow, sensuous, and great kiss. “Be careful, baby,” he said as we pulled apart.
    “You too. Remember to keep your head low.”
    “We’re going to a prison facility. I’ll be fine. You’re having a romantic meeting with an assassin. It’s you I’m worried about.”
    “Unless I’m there with you and no one’s trying to kill us, I don’t find cemeteries to be romantic. So you can keep your jealousy in check.”
    He grinned, gave me another quick kiss, and followed after my mother to say good-bye to Jamie. Christopher and Amy and Chuckie and Naomi were having similar good-byes. Michael looked kind of down.
    “You okay?” I asked him.
    He shrugged. “My girl’s not here, and I don’t want to call her because I’m sure I’m not supposed to be telling anyone where we’re going.” Chose not to share that he probably couldn’t reach her anyway. Wondered how long locked-door meetings went. Too long when I needed to talk to my Washington Insiders was my feeling.
    “The player’s missing his girl?” Put my hand to his forehead. “No fever.”
    He looked embarrassed. “Caroline’s just . . . special.”
    “Yeah, she is. She likes you too, don’t worry.”
    “There’s liking and then there’s
liking
, you know? I’m not sure she’s in the
liking
category.”
    “Wow, are you feeling well? I’ve never seen you this unconfident about a woman.”
    Abigail came over. “Someone’s in lo-ove.”
    Michael looked more embarrassed. “Wouldn’t tell you if I was.”
    Abigail snorted. “Because I can tell.” She sighed. “Well, not in the usual way. But I can tell by how you’re acting.”
    “Michael, we need to go,” Christopher said. “Angela doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
    “Later,” Michael said as he trailed after Christopher and Chuckie.
    “You think Caroline feels the same about Michael?” Abigail asked worriedly.
    “I haven’t talked to her about it.” Or anything else since the party. “But I do know that they’ve been going out exclusively for longer than she ever has with anyone else.”
    “That’s good then.”
    Naomi, who had been at least somewhat alert and involved, seemed to lose all interest the moment Chuckie walked out. She was looking at her phone, but a quick glance told me she was looking at wedding cakes.
    “Okay,” Tim said. “I have Mossad set up. They want to get into position early, because they’re really anal.”
    “Or just that good.”
    “Yeah? Then why are we leading them on this