Alien in the House

No? Then no need to apologize. You did great.”
    Irving looked shyly proud. Considering he was a total math and science nerd, aka Dazzler Bait of the Highest Order, this kind of action wasn’t his normal gig. Doreen looked proud, too. Like Lorraine and Claudia before her, though, I got the impression Doreen had just officially become an Adrenaline Junkie. Chalked another one up to my bad influence.
    “Thanks, Kitty,” Doreen said. “I didn’t have time to tell you what we were planning. I’m glad you caught on.”
    “You did great. I’ll even brag about you to Camilla the next time I see her. Okay, I don’t want to leave Clarence’s body here, there, or anywhere. Princesses, you need to carry him back to the Embassy, we’ll dispose of him there. Doreen, you take Irving and get back, too.” Received a look of relief and grateful thanks from Irving for this. “Tell them what you did, so no one there is surprised and so everyone there is ready in case Mom, Jeff, James, or Tim call for help of some kind.”
    “You sure you don’t want the Poofs to eat him?” Doreen asked. “It’s a lot easier to explain and then we wouldn’t have to leave you.” Irving’s expression went to resignation.
    “No, not in this case. I’m cool with Tito and Dulce doing medical experiments on him, and they may want to.” Doreen didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t argue. Besides, had no idea where my Poofs actually were. No sooner thought than Harlie and Poofikins appeared. On Doreen’s shoulders. Her Poof and Irving’s were on his shoulders. “Hey, have they been with you this whole time?”
    “Yes, well, they showed up in the afternoon, when we met up with Clarence. I think they were protecting us and making sure we weren’t being bad.” She petted both Poofs, who purred at her. “And it’s always nice to have the extra Poof backup.”
    My actual guess was that Harlie and Poofikins had followed Clarence after he’d killed Brewer, discovered he was with Doreen and Irving, and stuck around to ensure all was well. Which begged a question. “Poofies, did you all see Raul the Assassin?”
    Much Poof mewling. Harlie and Poofikins rubbed up against Doreen and then bounded over to me. Doreen’s Poof went back to her. “Huh. Um, okay.”
    “What did they say?” White asked.
    “That Raul was for sure with Clarence when they killed Brewer. However, our Field agents were killed by those two prior to when we all went over for brunch, because the Poofs never saw it happen. And Raul is a scary person, but the Poofs felt that it was more vital to be sure that Doreen and Irving were being good than to follow the scary person.” I didn’t add that they hadn’t felt the need because Bruno was on the case there. Why have the two assassins with us decide I was more insane than they probably thought I was by now?
    “So, now what?” Irving asked.
    “Now you all get back to the Embassy and stay there.”
    “You sure you’re okay here?” Doreen asked.
    “Have gun, A-Cs, and the two best assassins in the world, will travel.” Surly Vic snorted a laugh. Everyone else gave me a “huh?” look. Oh, well, at least someone here found me amusing. “Yes, we’ll be fine.”
    The four of them took off, Doreen looking uncertain about leaving us, Irving back to happy relief about going home, the princesses carrying the dead body like proud hunters returning from a very successful day out in the wild, and Clarence looking like the only part he’d be playing anymore was in the dinner theater revival of
Weekend at Bernie’s
. Could only hope that he was going to stay dead this time.
    “Now what?” Gower asked.
    “If Raul is at the University, then we should go there,” the Dingo said.
    “Actually, no, you shouldn’t. Because I wasn’t joking—Mossad is there along with our people. And they want you two dead, too.” My phone chose this moment to ring. Pulled it out. “Mom, are you guys okay?”
    “Yes. Are you?”
    “Yes. Clarence is dead but we got some intel from him. Is Cantu alive or dead?”
    “Very dead, how did you know to ask?”
    “Long story. Are you guys okay? My impression was that you were framed for Cantu’s death.”
    “We were, and we’re fine now, but only because Charles convinced the idiot on duty to call Cliff and Cliff called the President. Apparently my word wasn’t enough for people here.” Mom sounded furious.
    “Cantu was poisoned, right?”
    “Right. Arsenic. And yes, I