Alien in the House

this.
    The police wouldn’t want anyone to leave. Only I didn’t know where Hamlin and Buchanan were. Meaning at least two people technically with access weren’t here now. Decided to worry about these issues later. Like as soon as I could tell Jeff later. Which wasn’t now, however.
    Scrolled through until I found the number. I didn’t keep these guys on speed dial. Happily, phone was answered on the first ring. “Officer Melville.”
    “Hey, Herman, it’s Kitty Katt-Martini.” I’d stopped calling him Officer Moe, Ishmael, or Ishmoe. At his specific request. It was tough to do, but anything for our men in uniform.
    “I know. I have caller ID. What can I do for you, Ambassador?”
    “I need you and the rest of the K-9 squad down to the American Centaurion Zoo facility five minutes ago. I think someone just poisoned one of our party guests, using arsenic, I must add, and we are officially out of our element. It’s time for you to repay the favors we did for you during Operation Assassination.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “As sure as I can be, based on what our staff doctor is saying. We’ve called nine-one-one, not that any ambulance with hunky, life-saving paramedics is here yet, but I’d like to see a friendly face right now, so please bring Prince along.”
    I heard someone talking in the background. “The information just came over the police and fire bands.”
    “American Centaurion is specifically requesting you and your K-9 squad. We’re not asking for the rest of the police force.” I could technically get away with this request, because we were on American Centaurion soil, so to speak.
    “I understand. We’re on our way.”
    We hung up and I fretted. Tito and the girls were working feverishly, but Reyes looked no better.
    Christopher took my hand. “He’ll pull through. Tito’s the best doctor there is.”
    I wanted to be comforted. I wasn’t. I knew ACE frequently gave Tito a little assist here and there. This didn’t detract from Tito’s medical awesomeness, but in cases like this—where the patient was close to death—it was a huge comfort. But ACE wasn’t around, and I couldn’t bet on him being able to help.
    “Someone has to handle the door, whenever the paramedics get here.”
    “I will,” Camilla said. “Lorraine and Claudia are better with medicine than I am. I’ve called for more medical support. I’ll handle cops and paramedics. Only the K-9s in, right?”
    “Right, at least for now.”
    She zipped downstairs as a slew of Dazzlers, including Melanie and Emily, Lorraine and Claudia’s mothers, arrived.
    Christopher and I backed out of everyone’s way. Some of the Dazzlers were cleaning up around Reyes, but it was still awful to watch and hear. Reyes was in agony, and I wanted to do something, anything.
    Steeled myself, let go of Christopher, and shoved into the room. Knelt down in a clean space and took Reyes’ hand.
    “Kitty, get out of here, you can’t help,” Tito said. Reyes clutched my hand.
    “No. I’ll move when you need me to, or do whatever you need, but I’m not leaving Santiago alone.”
    Tito looked at me, then at Reyes, and nodded. “Fine.”
    I ignored what the medical staff were doing and focused on Reyes. “Hang on, Santiago. We’ll get you taken care of.”
    “The . . . crouton . . . was easier,” he gasped out.
    I managed a laugh. “Yeah.” I squeezed his hand. “Tito’s the best. You’ll be fine and we’ll be laughing about this in a couple of days.”
    Reyes convulsed again and I stopped talking, though I didn’t let go of his hand. The Dazzlers got him completely out of his clothes, because his clothes were covered with blood, vomit, and other less savory fluids. Three of them lifted him onto a gurney while the others ensured he was cleaned off. Sheet pulled up to cover his lower body.
    I wasn’t looking at any of this much; I was focused on holding his hand, on keeping him connected to someone during what had to be the most terrifying moments of his life. I was terrified, and I wasn’t the one going through this.
    Tito, Lorraine, and Claudia had been working on him nonstop through all of this. I had no idea what they were doing. I was just aware that it didn’t seem to be helping.
    Paramedics arrived; Tito briefed them on the medical procedures so far enacted for presumed arsenic poisoning. Took a quick look and saw Melville standing with Christopher, his dog, Prince, sitting at attention. Prince sniffed toward