I stayed there in the common area, Mrs. Hudson panting amicably at my feet. This was supposed to have gone so much differently. "I really blew that one, huh?" I said to the dog. "I pulled the same overprotective crap on her that Levi pulled on me. I can be pretty dense for a smart woman."

Mrs. Hudson put her head on my shoe consolingly and then scrambled into my lap. I sighed and checked the time. If I hurried, I could drop her off at the animal shelter and still make it to the ...