Soon, a knock sounded at the door. Studmuffin and I shared a look. Was it the detective or our mysterious robot-building neighbor?

Studmuffin leaped down, trotted to the window, and batted at the curtains. "So shiny!"

With a shake of my head, I stood and crossed to the door. If someone could explain to me why my familiar was so weird, that would be really great.

I opened the door to Detective Palmer. His face was five-alarm-pepper red, either from heat or frustration ...